Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling Theory and Technique Flashcards
Biomedical Perspective
Focuses on nonbiological explanations for human behavior and on non-biologically based interventions
Religious/Spiritual Perspective
Acknowledgement of the healing potential in spiritual practices and beliefs
Psychosocial Perspective
Focus on verbal interactions and relationships alterations can change thinking patterns, mood, and behavior
Psychotherapy
Psychological treatment of emotional problems in which a trained person deliberately establishes a professional relationship with the patient in order to: a. remove or modify or retard existing symptoms; b. mediate disturbed patterns of behavior; and c. promote positive personality growth and development
Counseling
An activity for working with relatively normal-functioning individuals who are experiencing developmental or adjustment problems
Counseling & Psychotherapy
A trained person who practices the artful application of scientifically derived principes for establishing professional helping relationships with persons who seek assistance in resolving large or small psychological or relational problems. This is accomplished through ethically defined means and involves, in the broadest sense, some form of learning or human development.
Therapy
Entails a relationship established for a specific purpose, protected by both a professional knowledge-base and a set of ethical principles
Theory
A coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena; needs to accurately describe, explain, and predict a wide range of therapist and client behaviors; provide therapists with a clear model or foundation from which they can conduct their professional service
Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Theory
Human personality and behavior are powerfully shaped by early childhood relationships; Humans are primarily pleasure-seeking creatures dominated by sexual and aggressive impulses
Therapy involves a friendly, collaborative relationship, insight into maladaptive aspects of the lifestyle, and education about how to remediate the maladaptive lifestyle
Object Relations Theory
Humans are driven by human relationship and attachment needs, rather than instinctual drives; psychopathology develops from conflicted, maladaptive, or inadequate parernt-child relations; Goal of therapy, bring maladaptive unconscious relationship dynamics into consciousness
Jungian/Analytic Theory
Primary goal is to bring the unconscious and conscious minds together into a constant dialogue; Human problems, neuroses, or complexes are viewed as stemming from unresolved conflicts residing in the unconscious; effective therapy occurs when the therapist engages the client, both his or her conscious and unconscious mind, a process that helps the client not only work through difficult issues, but also sail forward into creative and growthful actions
Existential/Gestalt Theory
Individuals must grapple with core life issues such as death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness; Anxiety is viewed as a part of normal human experience; Psychopathology arises when the individual avoids, rather than confronting and coping with, life’s core issues; Therapy is within the context of an authentic relationship, clients are able to begin facing the reality of death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness
Person-Centered Theory
Each individual has with him or her a capacity for dramatic and positive growth; growth is stymied and psychopathology arises when clients, usually in childhood relationships, bbegin to believe they are not worthwhile or lovable unless they meet specific behavioral conditions; Therapist follows the client’s lead; Effective when therapists help clients recapture their natural propensity for growth by establishing a therapy relationship characterized by therapist congruence or genuineness, unconditional positive regard or prizing of the client, and accurate empathy
Behavioral Theory
Humans as a function of their environment; psychopathology caused by maladaptive learning (from operant or classical conditioning models); therapy process teaching the client to apply basic behavioral learning principles within and outside of therapy
Cognitive Theory
Used in combination with behavioral approaches; It’s what individuals think or believe about what happens that causes distress; maladaptive or irrational thinking styles and beliefs about the self produce psychopathology; uses teaching or educational approaches with clients; Clients learn new and more adaptive or rational ways of thinking about themselves and their lives
Reality Therapy/Choice Theory
Individuals are responsible for choosing their thoughts and behavior, which directly influence their feelings and physiology; humans as motivated to satisfy one or more of their five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun; psychopathology deelops because clients choose to restrain anger, want to receive help from others, or are choosing to avoid important issues; focuses on the present; Therapist forms a positive therapy relationship with client and teaches the client choice theory from within the context of that relationship
Feminist Theory
Developed by women to address the social and cultural oppression and unequal treatment of women; psychopathology arises from social, cultural, and masculine-based power inequities. focused on recognizing the inequalities and empowerment of women and minorities; empowered to use their strength andinner resources to further and deepen mutual relations in their lives
Constructivist Theory
Emphasizes the power of language, information processing, and cybernetics in influencing human behavior and change; individuals as being shaped by the way they construct reality, which directly influences human behavior, problem-solving strategies, and human emotions; psychopathology as a function of each individual’s client’s construction of reality; focus on the future, solutions, and reshaping the narrative or story the client is living; client engages in positive, solution-focused strategies for constructing and maintaining his or her world
Multicultural and Eastern Theories of Therapy
Focuses on the ower of culture in influencing human behavior, emotions, and values; accepts and tolerates diverse culturally sanctioned behaviors; Approaches tailored to clients’ cultural orientation; religious and spiritual perspectives acknowledged and embraced
Intergration/Eclectic Theory
Acknowledges potential positive contributions of all theoretical orientations to effective theory; Common factors approach to therapy is used; Technical eclecticism emphasizes using the best treatment technique available; Seeks to weave together two or more therapy systems to create a more effective hybrid systemeitgeist
Zeitgeist
Defined as the spirit of the time; refers to the fact that more often than would be predicted by chance, more than one individual makes a significant discovery at around the same time.
Ortgeist
Refers to the spirit of the place;
Ethical Essentials
Confidentiality
Multiple Roles
Competence and Informed Consent
Confidentiality
Keeping it creates a safe environment wherein the client can disclose and work on the deepest, most vexing, or most confusing aspects of life. Involves keeping identity of the client confidential, keeping therapy notes and videotapes secure, and refraining from discussing the content of therapy sessions in ways that identify your client
Multiple Roles
The therapeutic relationship should take precedence over the others. Best not to seek or allow any other relationship with the client to develop.
Competence
There is a need to strive toward competency by obtaining training and supervision from knowledgeable instructors and supervisors. Read, study, think, and do good literature-based and applied research.
Informed Consent
Refers to the clients’ rights to know your training status and the supervision arrangements you have; clients should know techniques you use and why you’ve chosen them, and they need to be informed about the length of time the counseling might last; provide client verbally and by providing a written statement
Common Therapeutic Factors which cause Therapeutic Change
Extratherapeutic Change 40%
Therapeutic Relationship 30%
Expectancy (Placebo Effects) 15%
Techniques 15%
Extratherapeutic Change
Includes client factors such as severity of disturbance, motivation, capacity to relate to others (and the therapist), ego strength, psychological-mindedness, and the ability to identify a single problem to work on in counseling, as well as sources of help and support within their environments.
Therapeutic Relationship
Connecting with clients using the conditions of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence; attachment between therapist and client based on working together
Expectancy
Positive expectation or hope is an active therapeutic ingredient
Techniques
Treatment outcome variation is also due to the specific techniques employed
