Psychological Therapies

Question 1

Which common mental health disorders respond well to CBT?

Answer 1

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Phobias
• OCD
• PTSD

Question 2

How does CBT work?

Answer 2

• The therapist helps the client identify thoughts, feelings and behaviours
• It is then assessed whether the thoughts are unrealistic or unhelpful
• Client engages in homework which challenges the unrealistic or unhelpful thoughts

Question 3

What are the focuses of behavioural activation?

Answer 3

• Avoided activities
• What predicts and maintains an unhelpful response
• Client taught to analyse unintended consequences of their way of responding

Question 4

What activities are often avoided by people with depression?

Answer 4

• Social withdrawal: not answering the phone/avoiding friends
• Non-social avoidance: not taking on challenging tasks, sitting around the house and spending excessive time in bed
• Cognitive avoidance: not thinking about relationship problems, not making decisions/taking opportunities and not being serious about work/studies
• Avoidance by distraction: watching rubbish on tv, playing computer games, gambling, comfort-eating and excessive exercise
• Emotional avoidance: use of alcohol and other substances

Question 5

How does Interpersonal therapy work?

Answer 5

• Sick role given
• Interpersonal map
• Focus area maintained
• GOAL

Question 6

What are the strengths of interpersonal therapy?

Answer 6

• A grade evidence for treating depression
• No formal homework
• Client can continue to practice skills beyond the sessions ending

Question 7

What are the limitations of interpersonal therapy?

Answer 7

• Requires degree of ability to reflect

- When social networks are poor - limited interpersonal support

Question 8

What are the principles of motivational interviewing?

Answer 8

• Express empathy
• Avoid argument
• Support self efficacy

Question 9

Name the stages of change (Prochaska and DiClemente)

Answer 9

• Pre-contemplation
• Contemplation
• Planning
• Action
• Maintenance

Question 10

Describe the stages of an alcohol brief intervention

Answer 10

• Raise the issue
• Screen and give feedback
• Listen for readiness to change
• Choose a suitable approach (enhanced motivation, intervention and advice, build confidence, coping strategies and menu of options