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Psychological Treatment Flashcards

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1
Q

What is psychotherapy

A

It is a term covering the wide range of techniques used in an attempt to enhance psychological and emotional well-being

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2
Q

Psychotherapy isn’t just done by psychologist who else can administer?

A 
Social workers 
Counsellors 
Nurses 
GPs 
Psychiatrist
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3
Q

What makes a good therapist

A

Warmth to show you care
Ability to develop a good therapeutic alliance
Focus on the key issues
Able to align treatment approach with the person
Willing to get feedback from the client
Keep up to date with research

Behave in an ethical manner

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4
Q

What is the scientist-practitioner model?

A

Scientist – practitioner psychologists embody a research orientation in their practice and a practice orientation in their research

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5
Q

Limitations of scientist-practitioner model?

A

If we focus on applying evidence based-practice, are we exploring new approaches

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6
Q

What is the psychodynamic theory?

A

Founded by Freud

Assumes that psychopathology develops when people remain unaware of their true motivations and fears.
Claims people can be restored healthy functioning only when they become conscious of what has been kept unconscious

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7
Q

What are the two principles of psychodynamic theory

A

Insight-the clients capacity to understand their own psychological processes

Therapist – client allowance-crucial in effective change to the disordered psychological processes

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8
Q

What are the 5 core beliefs of the psychodynamic theory?

A
  1. Behaviour is driven by unconscious wishes, impulses, drives and conflicts
  2. There is a meaningful explanation/cause for abnormal behavior (discovered by therapist)
  3. Current issues are based on childhood experiences
  4. Emotional expression and reliving of past emotional experiences is crucial to overcome problem
  5. The symptoms will resolve themselves once the client understands and had emotional insight into the unconscious material
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9
Q

What are the stages of psychoanalysis (psychodynamic theory)?

A
  1. Free association
  2. Interpretation
  3. Dream analysis
  4. Resistance
  5. Transference
  6. Working through
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10
Q

What is free association (psychodynamic)

A

Encourages free reign to thoughts and feelings whilst verbalising what comes to mind.

Thought to uncover unconscious material

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11
Q

What is interpretation (psychodynamic)

A

When unconscious material begins to surface, the therapist will point out the underlying meaning.

Need to reflect insights that the person has made themselves or on the verge of making. Can be claimed as their own

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12
Q

What is dream analysis (psychodynamic)

A

Dreams are interpreted in relation to what is occurring in life.

Tries to determine hidden meaning of dreams as dreams are thought to be the channel to the unconscious

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13
Q

What is resistance (psychodynamic)

A

Blockages in free association arise from unconscious control over sensitive areas.

Targeted by the therapist

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14
Q

What is transference (psychodynamic)

A

Client transfers feelings they have for a person with the therapist and engage in a relationship with the client that resembles a past experience.

Happens because therapy is highly intimate

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15
Q

What is counter-transference (psychodynamic)

A

Where the therapist transfers their own emotional vulnerabilities onto the client.

Negative effect on the therapeutic relationship.

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16
Q

What is working through (psychodynamic)

A

Assisting the client in processing the information and insights gained during therapy.

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17
Q

What are some criticisms of Freud’s theory?

A

Sample bias: rich, intelligent samples

Confirmation bias: selecting pieces of information that support claims and disregarding information that doesn’t

Expensive due to being long term

Lack of scientific rigour in some situations

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18
Q

What is humanistic-existential psychotherapy?

A

Requires insight

Believes that human nature is good and positive and that we all have the ability to reach our full potential.

Focus on phenomenology of the client: each person consciously experiencing the self, relationships and the world.

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19
Q

What is the aim of humanistic-existential psychotherapy?

A

Help people to get in touch with their feelings, with their true selves and with a sense of meaning in life.

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20
Q

Who had a large role to play in creating the humanistic-existential psychotherapy?

And why?

A

Abraham Maslow

Viewed psychology as being too concerned with disturbed or those who could be explained in mechanistic approaches (behaviourism).

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21
Q

Explain Maslows hierarchy of needs

A 
Psychological needs 
Safety needs 
Social needs 
Esteem needs 
Self actualisation

Work your way from psychological needs to self actualisation. Need to complete one level before the next

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22
Q

What is person-centred therapy?

A

Carl Rogers - humanistic-existential

Non-directive therapy - clients can use therapy however they choose. Assumed that clients will reveal important emotional patterns. With increased awareness and heightened sense of acceptance, people come to think more realistically, become more tolerant of others and engage in more adaptive behaviour

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23
Q

What are the core traits of the therapist in person-centres therapy?

A

Must be authentic and genuine

Must express unconditional positive regard (non-judgemental)

Must relate to the client with empathetic understanding

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24
Q

What are the Rogerian assumptions?

A

Healthy people are aware of their own behaviour.

People are good and they become disturbed when faulty learning intervenes

Behaviour is purposive and goal directed

Therapists should not attempt to manipulate events for the individual - rather they should create conditions which will facilitate independent decision making from the client

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25
What is gestalt therapy?
Humanistic-existential approach Fritz Perls Believe that people with psychological difficulties are incomplete gestalts because they have excluded from their awareness the experiences and aspects of personality that trigger anxiety. Need to accept responsibility for feelings. Dysfunction is caused by individuals suppressing experiences and traits that are anxiety inducing therefore we need to recognise and except these to become an integrated whole
26
What does gestalt therapy suggest about dysfunction?
Through socialisation people become overly self controlling of the thoughts, behaviour and feelings in order to conform In this process they lose touch with the inner self and this leads to dysfunction such as anxiety and depression
27
What are the two techniques used in gestalt therapy?
Empty chair technique: provides opportunity to talk without risk Two-chair technique: outlines both sides of the story as clients move from chair to chair
28
Basic principles of behavioural therapies?
Short term = inexpensive Focusses on current behaviour and not on the past Commences on a behavioural analysis Targets problematic behaviours, cognitions and emotional responses
29
Exposure therapy?
Used to treat phobias. Involves confronting the client with the stimulus they fear. Techniques include: - systematic desensitisation - flooding - virtual reality exposure Prevented from leaving the stimulus until anxiety decreases
30
What happens to anxiety overtime?
Anxiety reactions decay over time due to the energy requirements for maintenance By preventing the capacity to flee or fight the person experiences anxiety decay and is therefore reconditioned
31
What is systematic desensitisation
Involves pairing relaxation with imagery of anxiety provoking scenes or stimuli it is a counter conditioning process Anxiety will level out and won’t be able to sustain it CBT gives the experience of anxiety going up and coming down again without escape
32
What is flooding?
Client is exposed immediately to feared experience | The therapist stops the person from engaging in their typical avoidance responses both behaviourally and cognitively
33
What is virtual reality?
The client views computer generated images of the feared experience
34
Modelling and skills training?
Learning theory (Bandura) has influenced heavily how clinical psychologists explain how disorders develop and how they’re treated
35
What is modeling?
Children and adults model the behaviour of others often unconsciously Can learn both maladaptive and adaptive behaviours Client modelling the behaviour of the therapists can be used implicitly (children learn over time) or explicitly (role play etc)
36
What are token economies?
Use star chart or similar to promote desired behaviour and discourage unwanted behaviour Often used with children but can also be used in an adult setting
37
Aversion therapies?
Pairing of unpleasant stimuli with unwanted behaviour Not commonly used however still useful in some situations Example. Tablets that cause unpleasant commuting if alcohol consumption occurs in alcoholics
38
Criticisms of behavioural therapy?
Some therapies require a moderate-high level of motivation by client Negative thoughts can be realistic
39
Advantages and disadvantages of group therapy?
``` Advantages: Cost effective Allows peer support Helps to normalise experience Can be done online or in person ``` Disadvantages: People may be reluctant to share or may feel uncomfortable May learn new maladaptive behaviours from others Lack of personalised treatment
40
Family therapy?
Group therapy but the family members of the group. Focused on all members.
41
What is strategic family therapy?
Designed to improve communication between family members and to help them work together
42
What is structural family therapy?
The therapist interacts with and observe the family and helps to change the way they interact
43
What is the cognitive behavioural model?
Unhelpful behaviours (escape and avoidance) Trigger (bodily senses eg heart rate) Unhelpful thoughts (I’ll die, I’ll lose control) Emotion (fear etc) Unhelpful behaviours
44
What is rational emotive therapy?
Emotional reactions are caused by internal sentences that people repeat to themselves it is designed to eliminate the incorrect or irrational beliefs of a disturbed person through a process of rational examination of these beliefs ABCDE theory
45
What is the ABCDE theory
A: activating conditions B: belief systems C: consequences D: therapist should encourage client to identify and dispute maladaptive thought processes E: more effective cognitions will then lead to more adaptive behaviour
46
What is Beck’s cognitive therapy?
Specifically designed for depression. Believed depression is caused by the negative patterns in which individuals think about themselves, the world and the future
47
Biological treatments?
Psychological disorders are believed to be the result of an organic pathology in the brain. Can be structural (neuronal) or chemical (neurotransmitter imbalance)
48
Pharmacotherapy?
Drugs that act on specific brain functions Includes any pharmaceutical agent that is able to cross the blood brain barrier and exert a direct influence on the central nervous system cellular function
49
What are benzodiazepines?
Anti-anxiety medication Valium, Xanax, Oscan, Ativan Increase efficiency of GABA binding to receptor sores
50
What is buspirone (Buspar)?
Antianxiety medication that stabilises serotonin levels Other uses include depressive states
51
What are beta blockers?
Antianxiety medication that competes with noradrenaline at receptor sites that regulate heart and muscle function Atenolol (tenormin), propranolol (inderal) Also can be used to regulate blood pressure and heartbeat
52
What are SSRIs?
Antidepressant Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Inhibit the re-uptake of serotonin Fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (cipramil), sertraline (Zoloft) Also used for eating disorders, ocd and social phobia
53
What are cyclic antidepressants?
Inhibit the reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin Amitriptyline (endep), imipramine (tofranil), nortriptyline (allegron) Also used for panic and other anxiety disorders as well as pain relief
54
What are monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors?
Antidepressant Inhibits the action of enzymes that metabolise noradrenaline and serotonin; inhibit dopamine Also used for panic and other anxiety disorders
55
What are mineral salts used for?
Used as a mood stabiliser. (Lithium carbonate) Decreases noradrenaline Increases serotonin
56
What are anticonvulsant medications?
Mood stabilisers. Increase levels of GABA and inhibit noradrenaline re-uptake Also used for bipolar disorder Carbamazepine (tegretol), lamotrigine (lamictal) and sodium valproate (valpro)
57
What are conventional antipsychotics?
They block post synaptic dopamine receptors Chlorpromazine (largactil), haloperidol (serenace) Also used for Tourette’s disorder and bipolar
58
What are serotonin-dopamine antagonists?
Atypical antipsychotics. Block activity of both serotonin and dopamine. Also affects noradrenaline and acetylcholine
59
What are psychostimulants?
For attentional problems. Release noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin in the frontal regions of the brain where attention and behaviour are regulated
60
Potential side effects for antianxiety medication?
Drowsiness, dizziness, low BP and some are addictive
61
Potential side effects of antidepressant medication?
Nausea, headaches, increased appetite, sexual dysfunction and drowsiness
62
Potential side effects of mood stabilisers?
Weight gain, tremors, fatigue and digestive problems
63
What are some potential side effects of antipsychotic medications?
Drowsiness, rapid heart beat, weight gain
64
What are some side effects of psychostimulants?
Decreases appetite, sleep disturbances and headache. Some have risk of addiction
65
What are some misconceptions about pharmacotherapy?
Not always necessary to treat a biological disorder with drugs. Non-pharmaceutical therapies can alter neuronbiology Not a cure all.
66
What is psychosurgery?
Involves the neurosurgical destruction of brain tissue to cure mental illness.
67
What are labotomies?
We’re once carried out extensively to treat mental illness. Incisions in the brain
68
What is capsulotomy?
Specific lesions to the brain to reduce the symptoms of severe medication resistant OCD Side effects: Weight gain Some executive/short term memory function 50% good recovery
69
What is ECT?
Electroconvulsive therapy. Brief electrical current to patients head. They induce a seizure in the individual. Used typically for major depressive disorder that is unresponsive to other therapies.
70
What is rTMS?
Repetitive trans magnetic stimulation Similar to ECT but a magnetic pulse is used. Non invasive - patient remains conscious without pin relief or a recovery period required. Used for medication resistant major depressive disorder
71
How successful is Becks cognitive therapy?
At least as effective as the use of anti-depressant medication in the acute phases. Highly effective in reducing relapse
72
How effective is cognitive therapy?
Successful except for in the cases of severe psychopathology such as schizophrenia
73
What is deep brain stimulation?
Provides electrical pulses to specific areas of the brain via an implanted electrode Initially used in Parkinson’s disease but now it is also used for OCD and MDD
74
What are some cautions towards surgical treatments
Can have serious side-effects Mechanisms of action remain unclear for ECT, DBS, rTMS Only appropriate where other measures have failed and the person is continuing to experience significant and distressing levels of impairment
75
How effective is psychodynamic therapy?
There is no clear evidence to show that the outcome of psychoanalysis is any better then would be achieved by doing nothing or by seeing another professional Some evidence suggests that 5 to 10% become worse off
76
How effective is pharmacotherapy combines with psychotherapy?
Becks cognitive therapy and anti-depressant medication when used alone are equally effective in treating acute phases of depression When combining the two reduces the risk of relapse following the completion of medication
77
What is eclectic psychotherapy?
Involves combining techniques from different therapeutic approaches to fit a specific clients needs
78
What factors cause us to believe ineffective therapies are working?
Spontaneous remission-many disorders fluctuate or are cyclical The placebo affect-just talking about the problem may lead to improvement Self-serving bias-client may want to therapy to work and so many exaggerate improvement or downplay continuing issues Regression to the mean-often extreme behaviours will naturally become closer to normal over time Rewriting the past-clients may recall being much worse and they actually were does see improvement has been greater than it really is
79
What are the three general principles the APS code of ethics
Respect for the rights and dignity of people and peoples Propriety Integrity
80
What do good standards of practice require
Professional competence Good and appropriate relationships with clients and colleagues Observance of professional ethics
81
What are the three things we need to protect according to ethics
The client, the clinician and the profession
82
Assertion training?
Teaching people to respond to requests in an appropriate manner - not aggressively or submissively
83
What is behavioural rehearsal?
Therapist uses role play to demonstrate and allow practice of behaviours

Individuality & Abnormality (8 decks)

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