Exam 3: Postmodern Therapy and Integrative Flashcards
what do postmodern therapies assume?
PM therapies assume that realities are socially constructed
- there is no absolute reality (each individuals reality is shaped by their experiences)
how do postmodern therapies see people?
- as healthy, competent, resourceful ⇒ similar to PCT
- people have the ability to construct solutions and alternative stories to enhance their lives
postmodern beliefs (4)
- The client is the expert, not the therapist => Therapist takes a not knowing stance
- Dialogue is used to elicit perspective, resources, and unique client experiences ⇒ the more questions the more the client will speak out
- Questions empower clients to speak and to express their diverse positions ⇒ strength based approach
- The therapist supplies optimism and the process
strengths of postmodern therapies (3)
- Depathologizing, strengths based, empowerment of the client
- Draws upon strengths of other approaches ⇒ collaborative, cognitive, attention to past experiences, future oriented
- Social constructionism is congruent with the philosophy of multiculturalism
critiques of postmodern therapy (3)
- Few rigorous empirical research studies
- May not be appropriate for very specific, concrete behavioral concerns, severe psychopathology, cognitive impairment
- For some individuals ,the therapists not knowing stance may compromise the clients confidence in the therapist as an expert
narrative therapy (NT)
people make meaning out of their lives through the construction of narratives or stories
assumptions of narrative therapy (2)
- Narrative is like a thread that weaves events together, forming a story
- When these stories are problem-saturated, we experience distress
what 2 types of stories do we come up with in narrative therapy?
dominant and alternative stories
how do problems develop in narrative therapy (2)
- Clients get stuck in living out dominant stories that are problem saturated
- They adopt stories in which they and their problems are fused ⇒ they are the problem
how does change occur in narrative therapy (6)
- The client must rewrite their story
- They identify or name the problem first
- Separate the person from their problem
- Search for exceptions to the problem
- Ask clients to speculate about what kind of future they could expect from the competent person that is emerging
- Create an audience to support the new story
how do people give identity or a name to their problem? (2)
- Give the problem a life of its own
- Identify how the problem has contributed to the clients problem-saturated story
techniques of narrative therapy (4)
- interviewing the problem
- externalizing the problem
- search for exceptions
- supporting the new story
interviewing the problem definition
develop because they are trying to do something for us so we need to ask the client to try and understand what the problem may serve
externalizing the problem definition; what cam be externalized (4)
separates the person from the problem
- Wants to know what can be externalized ⇒ thoughts, feelings, cultural practices, behaviors
search for exceptions definition
look for where there are exceptions to the problem the client is facing in their experiences
supporting a new story definition
aimed at reinforcing the new story that has developed
- Sharing the new story with an audience
- An appreciative audience helps new stories take root
roles of the narrative therapy therapist (4)
- Demonstrate care, interest, respectful curiosity, openness, empathy, and fascination
- To adopt a not knowing position that allows being guided by the clients stor
- To help clients construct a preferred alternative story
- To create a collaborative relationship with the client being the senior partner
solution focused brief therapy (SFBT)
more about the fast pace of life and is brief but focuses on solutions for client issues
- Doesn’t necessarily met all the goals of the clients
assumptions of solution focused brief therapy (3)
- The problem itself may not be relevant to finding effective solutions
- People can create their solutions
- Small changes lead to large changes
how might a problem not be relevant to finding solutions? (2)
- The past is downplayed, while the present and future are highlighted
- A shift from problem orientation to solution focus
roles of the solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) therapist (2)
- Create a collaborative partnership because the client is the expert on their own life
- Ask skillful questions
how do people ask skillful questions? (4)
- Allow people to utilize their resources
- Imply change ⇒ especially how questions
- Focus attention on solutions
- open up possibilities for people to do something more/different
techniques of SFBT (4)
- pre-therapy change
- exception questions
- miracle question
- scaling questions
pre therapy change definition
what have you done since you made the appointment that has made a difference in your problem
exception questions definition
is there a time in your life when the problem didn’t exist
miracle question definition
if a miracle happened and the problem you have was solved while you were asleep, what would be different in your life
scaling questions definition
on a scale of 0-10 where are you on the topic
integrative eclectic psychotherapy
particular form of psychotherapy that draws its theoretical basis and clinical methods from 2 or more theoretical perspectives
psychotherapy integration definition
developing novel and effective approaches to psychotherapy by combining elements of two or more therapies ⇒ still using one main theoretical orientation
- Every approach to psychotherapy has something positive to offer
- Psychologists should not be preoccupied with enforcing strict boundaries between approaches
psychotherapy integration components (2)
- Combination of techniques
- Clinician may be based in one specific theoretical orientation, or may be working from an integrative theoretical orientation
integrative psychotherapy components (3)
- Combination of theories and techniques
- Constitutes its own unique theoretical approach
- broader
4 types of integrative approaches
- technical eclecticism
- common factors
- theoretical integration
- assimilative integration
technical eclecticism
therapist selects and uses techniques from different approaches
- Working from a toolkit of different approaches
- Most common and least complex form of integration
strengths of technical eclecticism
can draw on a variety of approaches to meet different client needs
weaknesses of technical eclecticism
may be atheoretical ⇒ risks being ineffective and harmful
- Does not require an underlying theory of how problems develop or how change occurs
- Using techniques without understanding what is helping the client
common factors definition (2 ex)
shared factors across a variety of therapeutic approaches, such as empathy and the therapeutic relationship
components of common factors (3)
- Based on finding that different theoretical orientations do not show differences in effectiveness ⇒ some exceptions
- Idea that all approaches to psychotherapy share certain effective ingredients
- Maximizing use of change processes common across theoretical orientations ⇒ common factors
theoretical integration definition
bringing together theoretical concepts from different approaches to form a new model of therapy
- Most difficult and sophisticated form of integration
assimilative integration definition
maintaining one central theoretical position while incorporating (assimilating) techniques from other theories
- Between technical eclecticism and theoretical integration
stages of the transtheoretical model
- pre-contemplation
- contemplation
- preparation
- action
- maintenance
- relapse/termination
pre contemplation stage
unaware of problem or consequences
- Increase insight, validate, nurture, explore
contemplation stage
considering a change but not ready to take action; stuck between changing and not changing (ambivalence)
- Increase insight, listen, encourage
preparation stage
making plans to take action; can take baby step
- Focus on action, behavioral change, smaller steps
action stage
actively making significant changes to behavior, experiences, and environment
- Focus on action, behavioral change, larger steps
maintenance stage (chg model)
prevent relapse of behavior; consolidate gains
- Anticipate/prepare for challenges, celebrate progress
relapse/termination stage
change process complete; zero temptation; high self efficacy
2 considerations of stages of change model
- People do not pass through these stages in a linear fashion
- A client’s readiness can fluctuate throughout the change process
limitation of the stages of change model (transtheoretical model)
Less explicit consideration of social or economic context in which person is trying to make change
empirical support for integrative psychology (2)
- Not a lot of research on integrative therapies
- Existing research generally supports efficacy
practice considerations for integrative psychology (4)
- Solid grounding in a theoretical orientation
- Client understanding of treatment
- Adapting to clients
- Drawing on clinical wisdom and experience
how to adapt to clients (3)
- What approach is most consistent with the client’s worldview
- Client preferences/expectations
- Accepting feedback from client
