Psychological interventions for mental distress Flashcards
Who was phrenology developed by?
German physician Franz Gall in the late
18th century
Where did the word phrenology originate from?
Greek words: phren (mind) and logos (knowledge)
Define phrenology
Knowledge of the mind
What did phrenology observe/measure?
Observing/measuring skull shape to determine personality/mental traits
What does phrenology assume regarding one’s shape of specific skull regions and their character/thoughts?
Assumption that character, thoughts, and emotions are determined by the shape of specific regions of the skull
Assumption that character, thoughts, and emotions are determined by the shape of specific regions of the skull
This is proposed by…?
Phrenology
Why was phrenology important in early mental health diagnosis?
Important in advancing neuropsychology (localisation of mental functions in the brain)
What fields of mental health diagnosis did phrenology influence in the 19th century?
Psychiatry and Psychology
What is phrenology recognised as today?
Recognised as pseudoscience today – empirical rigour doubtful
What are the 4 characteristics of psychological interventions for mental distress?
1) Non-pharmacological approaches.
2) Used in the treatment of people with mental health problems (Dua et al., 2011)
3) Focus on psychological and/or social factors
4) Can improve symptoms, functioning, quality of life, and social inclusion, and reduce distress
Where did the word psychotherapy originate from?
Greek words: psyche (spirit/soul) and therapeia (to cure/heal)
What is a popular modern use of psychotherapy?
“Talking therapies” aimed at alleviating distress
Most forms of psychotherapy involve verbal communication between therapist and client, but some can also include others forms
Give 4 examples
Psychotherapy involving:
- Music
- Art
- Drama
- Dance
Where do psychotherapy practitioners work in the UK?
Practitioners can be working in public health & social care services (NHS) or private practice
What are the 6 prominent psychological treatments used by practitioners to help individuals reduce mental distress?
1) Psychotherapy
2) Talking therapy
3) Psychological therapy
4) Psychological intervention
5) Counselling Therapy
6) Talking treatment
How many different psychological interventions are there?
Between 250 and 1000
Psychological approaches vary depending on…?
The theoretical models underpinning them
List the 7 ways psychological interventions can be classified into
1) Behavioural
2) Cognitive
3) Psychodynamic
4) Humanistic
5) Systemic
6) Motivational
7) Social
True or False?
The emphasis of each psychological therapy is the same
False
The emphasis of each psychological therapy is different, depending on the theoretical underpinning of the approach.
What is the first rule of therapy?
Do no harm
What is the Hippocratic Oath?
An oath traditionally taken by physicians upon becoming doctors, promising that they will follow a number of professional ethical standards
An oath traditionally taken by physicians upon becoming doctors, promising that they will follow a number of professional ethical standards
This is known as..?
Hippocratic Oath
In therapy, psychologists are expected to follow 2 things. What are they?
1) Ethical principles
2) Code of Conduct
True or False?
Therapies are 100% safe
False
Therapy can be harmful (approximately 10% of people feel worse after starting therapy)
Approximately …..% of people feel worse after starting therapy
a. 50%
b. 30%
c. 10%
d. 20%
c. 10%
Medicine and Psychology regulated by …?
Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
Counselling and Psychotherapy are regulated by…?
One’s voluntary self-regulation
What are the 5 types of psychological interventions?
1) Psychoanalysis
2) Person-centered therapy
3) Behaviour therapy
4) Cognitive therapy
5) Cognitive behavioural therapy
Who first introduced psychoanalysis?
Sigmund Freud
According to Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis, conscious thoughts, feelings and behaviours are determined by …?
Unconscious mental dynamics
According to Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis, psychological distress occurs when unconscious thoughts, feelings, desires, and impulses are …?
Blocked from consciousness
According to Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis, symptoms are perceived as ….?
Manifestations of unconscious processes
According to Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis, distress can be resolved by …?
Bringing unconscious conflicts (unconscious thoughts, feelings, desires and impulses) into awareness
What does psychoanalysis aim to do?
To bring unconscious material into the conscious mind
What are the 2 characteristics of psychoanalysis?
1) Open-ended (not time limited) – weekly appointments for months/years
2) Change is facilitated through access to and interpretation of unconscious material
Give 3 techniques of psychoanalysis
1) Free association
2) Interpretations of dreams
3) Transference
Which psychological intervention facilitates changes through access to and interpretation of unconscious material?
Psychoanalysis
Which psychological intervention is open-ended (not time limited)?
Psychoanalysis
Free association is one of three techniques of psychoanalysis. What is free association?
Client is encouraged to say whatever comes into their mind
Interpretations of dreams are one of three techniques of psychoanalysis. What are interpretations of dreams?
Dreams provide access to the unconscious which can then be interpreted by the therapist
Transference is one of three techniques of psychoanalysis. What is transference?
The influence of past relationships (e.g., emotional attitudes towards parents) on current relationships (including therapist-client)
Client is encouraged to say whatever comes into their mind
This is known as…?
Free association
Dreams provide access to the unconscious which can then be interpreted by the therapist
This is known as…?
Interpretations of dreams
The influence of past relationships (e.g., emotional attitudes towards parents) on current relationships (including therapist-client)
This is known as…?
Transference
Therapies grounded in Freud’s theory are known as…?
Psychodynamic theories
What are psychodynamic theories?
Therapies grounded in Freud’s theory
True or False?
Psychodynamic theories have influenced many other subsequent theories and therapeutic approaches
True
True or False?
Psychodynamic theories are as widely available as other approaches
False
Psychodynamic theories are not as widely available as other approaches
What therapy may be offered to people who have depression or depression AND a long-term health condition?
Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP)
Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) may be offered on the NHS to help people with …?
Depression or Depression AND a long-term health condition
Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) is a…?
a. Music therapy
b. Talking therapy
c. Drama therapy
d. Art therapy
b. Talking therapy
Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) may be offered for around …. sessions
a. 12
b. 20
c. 24
d. 16
d. 16
Which psychological intervention shows a newer, more holistic approach that focused less on pathology, past experiences, and environmental influences, and more on the positive side of human nature?
a) Psychoanalysis
b) Humanistic and existential therapies
c) Person-centred therapy
d) Cognitive behavioural therapy
b) Humanistic and existential therapies
What are humanistic and existential therapies?
Therapies that follow a more holistic approach that focused less on pathology, past experiences, and environmental influences, and more on the positive side of human nature.
Who developed a human hierarchy of needs and motivations?
Abraham Maslow
Who developed the person-centred approach?
Carl Rogers
What did Maslow develop?
Human hierarchy of needs and motivations
What did Rogers develop?
The person-centred approach
Which therapy showed discontent with existing models of psychology (Freud’s psychoanalysis, Skinner’s behaviourism)?
Humanistic and existential therapies
What kind of therapy is grounded in humanistic and existential philosophies, emphasising that the quest for meaning is central to our lives?
Humanistic and existential therapies
Humanistic and existential therapies emphasise that the quest for meaning is…?
Central to our lives
According to humanistic and existential therapies, psychological distress arises when our natural tendencies towards individuality and emotional honesty are …?
Opposed by oppressive conventions of society
Which psychological intervention proposes that psychological distress arises when our natural tendencies towards individuality and emotional honesty are opposed by oppressive conventions of society?
Humanistic and existential therapies
Which psychological intervention is non-directive/client-led?
Person-centred therapy
Which psychological intervention aims to provide a safe and accepting environment, so that the client can voice unacknowledged feelings and desires?
Person-centred therapy
Person-centred therapy aims to provide a..?
Provide a safe and accepting environment, so that the client can voice unacknowledged feelings and desires
Which psychological intervention aims to rekindle self-confidence?
Person-centred therapy
Person-centred therapy aims to rekindle…?
Self-confidence
In person-centred therapy, Rogers does not ask what a therapist needs to do to a client in order to facilitate change
True or False?
True
In ……. therapy, Rogers does not ask what a therapist needs to do to a client in order to facilitate change
a. Psychoanalysis
b. Behavioural therapy
c. Person-centred therapy
d. Cognitive behavioural therapy
c. Person-centred therapy
In Person-centred therapy, what does Rogers ask therapists to do?
He asks what conditions a therapist might need to offer in order to foster a client’s capacity to grow
In …… therapy, Rogers asks what conditions a therapist might need to offer in order to foster a client’s capacity to grow
a. Person-centred therapy
b. Psychoanalysis
c. Behavioural therapy
d. Cognitive behavioural therapy
a. Person-centred therapy
Which psychological intervention is about BEING rather than DOING?
Person-centred therapy
Which psychological intervention assumes a tendency to actualise and a tendency towards growth?
Person-centred therapy
What are the 3 factors that foster/influence growth?
1) Empathy
2) Congruence
3) Unconditional positive regard
How can therapists show empathy towards a client?
By trying to understand the client’s point of view
Trying to understand the client’s point of view is known as…?
Empathy
How can therapists show congruence towards a client?
By being genuine/real
Being genuine/real is known as…?
Congruence
How can therapists show unconditional positive regard towards a client?
By accepting the client’s views and being non-judgemental
Accepting the client’s views and being non-judgemental is known as…?
Unconditional positive regard
Which psychological intervention is based on the principles of behaviourism (e.g., classical and operant conditioning)?
Behaviour therapy
Behaviour therapy is based on…?
The principles of behaviourism (e.g., classical and operant conditioning)
Who were the early pioneers/people who introduced behaviour therapy? Name 2
- Joseph Wolpe
- Hans Eysenck
Which psychological intervention puts emphasis on the measurement and treatment of observable behaviours?
(e.g., compulsive hand-washing or irrational fears/phobias), as opposed to internal processes (e.g., thoughts, feelings)
Behaviour therapy
Behaviour therapy puts emphasis on the measurement and treatment of…?
Observable behaviours
(e.g., compulsive hand-washing or irrational fears/phobias), as opposed to internal processes (e.g., thoughts, feelings)
Which psychological intervention would more likely focus on compulsive hand-washing or irrational fears/phobias as opposed to thoughts and feelings?
Behaviour therapy
Which psychological intervention puts little to no emphasis on thoughts and feelings?
Behaviour therapy
Behaviour therapy puts little to no emphasis on…?
Thoughts and feelings
Name one main approach behaviour therapy uses
Systematic Desensitisation (Graded exposure)
How is a Systematic Desensitisation (Graded exposure) of Arachnophobia or fear of spiders conducted?
List 5 steps
1) Individuals with a fear of spiders were asked to look at an image of a small spider
2) Individuals rated their anxiety on a scale of 0 to 100 (100 being the worst anxiety possible)
3) Individuals were then asked to watch a video of a spider moving and rated their anxiety on a scale
4) In the next stage, individuals were asked to be in the same room as a real spider in a jar and rated their anxiety on a scale
5) Then, individuals were asked to be in a different room to a spider with the door open (the spider is not confined, it is free to roam around the room) and rated their anxiety on a scale
6) Lastly, individuals were asked to hold a spider in their hands and rated their anxiety on a scale
What does Systematic Desensitisation (Graded exposure) aim to do?
To help people increase their ability to manage their phobias or fears by making small steps that gradually get more difficult to achieve a goal
To help people increase their ability to manage their phobias or fears by making small steps that gradually get more difficult to achieve a goal
Which intervention does this?
Systematic Desensitisation (Graded exposure)
Cognitive therapy was developed as a reaction to…?
Behaviourism
What therapy was developed as a reaction to Behaviourism?
Cognitive therapy
What did behaviourism assume about our behaviour?
Our behaviour were a direct response to conditioned stimuli
What did the cognitive approach assume about our behaviour?
The way people make sense of and interpret events is more important than the direct response to a conditioned stimuli
The way people make sense of and interpret events is more important than the direct response to conditioned stimuli
Which theory proposed this?
a. Behaviorism
b. Cognitive approach
b. Cognitive approach
Our behaviour were a direct response to conditioned stimuli
Which theory proposed this?
a. Behaviorism
b. Cognitive approach
a. Behaviorism
Which therapy proposes that distress occurs as a result of how we interpret/make sense of what happens to us?
Cognitive therapy
Cognitive therapy assumes that distress occurs as a result of ….?
How we interpret/make sense of what happens to us
What are the 2 cognitive paradigm shifts in psychotherapy?
1) Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
2) Cognitive Therapy
Who introduced Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy?
Albert Ellis
Who introduced Cognitive Therapy?
Aaron T. Beck
Both Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Therapy assumed that……….. determine our thoughts and feelings
Our cognitive responses to the events (not the events themselves)
What 2 therapies assume that cognitive responses to events – not the events themselves – determine our thoughts and feelings?
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
- Cognitive Therapy
According to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Therapy, mental health problems are a consequence of…? List 3 things
- Irrational thinking
- Unhelpful beliefs
- Cognitive distortions (e.g. panic attacks)
Mental health problems are a consequence of ‘irrational’ thinking’, unhelpful beliefs, ‘cognitive distortions’ etc. (e.g., panic attacks)
Which 2 therapies propose this?
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
- Cognitive Therapy
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Therapy aim to …?
Change the way people think
Which 2 therapies aim to change the way people think?
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
- Cognitive Therapy
What 3 factors are involved in the ABC approach?
A = Activating event (external and internal events)
B = Beliefs (rational/irrational appraisals of the event)
C = Consequences Emotions Behaviours
What mental processes does cognitive therapy focus on?
Conscious mental processes
Which therapy focuses on conscious mental processes?
Cognitive therapy
Which therapy helps clients to become aware of conscious experiences and meaning-making, changing the way clients make sense of/interpret experiences?
Cognitive therapy
Cognitive therapy helps clients to become aware of conscious experiences and meaning-making by…?
Changing the way clients make sense of/interpret experiences
Beck (1976) contrasts cognitive therapy with 3 other psychological interventions.
List all 3 interventions
1) Psychoanalysis
2) Behaviour therapy
3) Neuropsychiatry
The therapist’s interpretations of the client’s unconscious (addressing the power imbalance; bringing equality in the therapist-client relationship) is known as what type of intervention…?
Psychoanalysis
The measurement of observable behaviour is known as what type of intervention…?
Behaviour therapy
A disordered neurochemical process is known as what type of intervention?
Neuropsychiatry
What did Beck (1976) argue about psychoanalysis, behaviour therapy and neuropsychiatric?
That these approaches tend to ignore the validity of the client’s own reports, unlike cognitive therapy
Cognitive Therapy encourages conscious awareness through…?
List 3 things
- Close questioning
- Active listening
- Developing shared understanding.
Which psychological intervention encourages conscious awareness through close questioning, listening, and developing shared understanding?
Cognitive therapy
Who proposed cognitive behavioural therapy?
Aaron T. Beck
When did the first wave of psychological therapies take place?
1950s
What were the 2 psychological therapies introduced in the 1950s?
1) Behaviour therapy (Wolpe, Eysenck & Skinner)
2) Cognitive therapy/rational therapy (Beck & Ellis)
When did the second wave of psychological therapies take place?
1980s
What was the psychological therapy introduced in the 1980s?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
When did the third wave of psychological therapies take place?
1990s
What were the 3 main psychological therapies introduced in the 1990s?
1) Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
2) Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
3) Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
The fusion of behaviour and cognitive therapy in the 1950s resulted in the formation of CBT in the 1980s.
Why did therapists choose to fuse the 2 therapies?
Because behaviour therapists and cognitive therapists recognised the limitations of each approach
So they decided to combine the 2 approaches together
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) uses behaviour experiment techniques such as …? List 2 techniques
1) Socratic questioning
2) Collection of evidence in controlled situations to support/re-evaluate beliefs
Which psychological intervention is time-limited?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
What are the 6 stages of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?
- Collaborative work between client and therapist
- Client is encouraged to talk about their current problems and set goals for the therapy
- Assessment of the client’s problem by asking questions on current/recent thoughts, feelings, memories, triggers, mental imagery, behaviours, environment and social experiences
- Therapist and client work out a map or formulation for how some factors might combine negatively to contribute to their problems, or positively to help recovery and improve quality of life
- Based on the formulation, the client is encouraged to test out ways of thinking and behaving to see if they are helpful
- Once difficulties improve, the client is encouraged to manage more independently; might be offered to return for a “booster” session in the future
True or False?
Extensive evidence that psychological interventions are not effective for a range of mental health difficulties
False
Extensive evidence that psychological interventions are effective for a range of mental health difficulties
Which psychological intervention is the most researched/investigated?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Therapist and client work out a map or formulation for how some factors might combine negatively to contribute to their problems, or positively to help recovery and improve quality of life
Based on the formulation, the client is encouraged to test out ways of thinking and behaving to see if they are helpful
Which psychological intervention follows this procedure?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Which psychological intervention is the most recommended treatment in the UK for anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, bipolar disorder, psychosis/schizophrenia, etc.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
In studies investigating the effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), results have shown that clients have worsened resistance to relapse compared to medication for anxiety, depression, psychosis
True or False?
Clients have better resistance to relapse compared to medication for anxiety, depression, psychosis
Which intervention is considered superior to non-specific psychological interventions?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Which intervention is considered superior to other theory-driven psychological treatments?
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
Who conducted a meta-analysis of 26 studies which compared Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to other forms of psychotherapy?
Tolin (2010)
In a meta-analysis by Tolin (2010), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) was superior to ………. for the treatment of anxiety and depression but not to other therapies
Psychodynamic therapy
True or False?
In a meta-analysis by Tolin (2010), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) was superior to all psychological therapies
False
In a meta-analysis by Tolin (2010), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) was ONLY superior to psychodynamic therapy for the treatment of anxiety and depression but not to other therapies
What did the dodo bird hypothesis assume about psychotherapies?
All psychotherapies appear to be equally effective
All psychotherapies appear to be equally effective
Which hypothesis supports this?
Dodo bird hypothesis
According to the dodo bird hypothesis, all psychotherapies appear to be equally effective.
What aim do all psychological interventions have in common?
All approaches aim to identify and target underlying factors presumed to cause/maintain distress
True or False?
All psychological interventions are similar in technique but different in purpose
False
All psychological interventions are similar in purpose but different in technique
True or False?
What factors are responsible for distress vary according to the psychological intervention
True
What is one important common factor of all psychological interventions?
A trusting, collaborative relationship between client and therapist is essential (varying degrees of importance)
True or False?
Research suggests that the therapeutic relationship is the only factor in all psychological therapies
False
Research suggests that the therapeutic relationship is an important factor in all psychological therapies but it is not the only one
True or False?
CBT has the largest evidence base, but it is unclear if it is more effective than other psychotherapies
True
