What is Psychotherapy?
the treatment of psychological problems through psychological techniques
How many “brands” of psychotherapy?
over 500
Are all psychotherapies equally effective?
yes, however all are not equally effective for certain disorders
Many therapists take an ___ approach that combines diverse theories and techniques
eclectic
The two basic assumptions of insight therapy are…
- being aware of one’s motivation helps change
- causes of maladjustments are unresolved unconscious conflicts
What is the aim of psychoanalysis?
uncovering unconscious conflicts
What 6 techniques are used during psychoanalysis?
- free association
- dream analysis
- interpretation
- resistance
- transference
- working through - cycle of interpretation, resistance and transference
How do neo-freudian based therapies differ from freud’s?
they focus on conscious aspects of client and emphasize need for love, power and status
What are some criticisms of psychoanalysis
- unscientific and imprecise
- subjective
- some parts are untestable
- sexist
- expensive in time and cost
Carl Roger’s Person/Client Centred Therapy aims to…
help people evaluate the world and themselves from their own perspective
Rogerian therapists hold that problems occur when…
a person is kept from developing his or her unique potential
What techniques are used in Carl Roger’s client-centred therapy?
- unconditional positive regard
- congruence
- empathic listening
Is behaviour therapy effective?
Yes, and inexpensive
What is the focus of behaviour therapy?
changing easy-to-see behaviour
What is a operant conditioning?
modification of behaviour through association of stimuli with punishment or reinforcement
What is a reinforcer in operant conditioning?
anything that increases probablility that an event will occur eg. praising a child for putting toys away
What is counterconditioning?
conditioning to change response to stimulus
Who developed systematic desensitization?
Joseph Wolpe
Explain the steps of systematic desensitization?
- client is taught how to relax
- create a hierarchy of fears
- in relaxed state, person will face each fear from bottom of hierarchy to top, learning relaxation instead of fear as a response
What is aversive conditioning?
help a person give up a habit by associating it with something negative eg. person given nausea producing drug while smoking
Cognitive behaviour therapy changes behaviour by…
changing the person’s thoughts or perceptions
Rational Emotive Therapy was formed by…
Albert Ellis
What is Rational Emotive Therapy?
type of cognitive therapy that aims to challenge irrational thoughts, belief that rational thoughts are important
Biologically based therapies involve…
medication, hospitalization and physicians
