Psychology - Theories and Techniques of Counseling Flashcards
History of Treatment
- History has varied viewed on mental disorders
Possessed by the devil or demons
4 humors - blood, phlegm, yellow and black bile
Diseases of the mind/stresses of the world - Treatment vary based on views
Exorcisms
Blood-letting, leeches, ect.
Asylums
History of Treatment (Cont’d)
- Early 1700’s: London’s Bethlehem Hospital (asylum seen more like a circus. They would shackle the patients, treat them poorly, and allow people to pay to view them!! The Bethlehem Hospital is where the term, “It was Bedlum!” comes from)
- Late 1700’s: Phillippe Pinel: pushed for the humane treatment of patients.
- Outdated techniques due to inaccurate theories (eg. Lobotomy and the boy Howard Dully who got one)
Therapeutic Process
- Identify the problem: describe the feelings or circumstances that brought them in.
- Identify the cause of the problem or the conditions that maintain the problem.
- Decide on and carry out some form of treatment to eliminate or minimize the symptoms.
- All of this depends on the theory of counseling.
Psychoanalysis (Freud)
Believes that psychological problems stem from the unconscious, forbidden impulses and bad memories.
Key Concepts:
- Consciousness
- Defense Mechanisms
- Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Development
- The Past determines the Present
- Personality (Id, Ego, Superego)
Psychoanalysis Techniques
- Free association (the patient just gets to talk freely about whatever’s on their mind)
- Interpretation (by the therapist)
- Transference (how the patient feels towards the therapist. Usually either love or hate)
- Dream analysis
- Therapist offers insight (he is all-knowing)
GOALS: - Make the unconscious conscious
- Resolve transference
- Strengthen Ego
*Usually a very long process
Psychodynamic Theories
aka NeoFreudians (people who came after Freud)
- Based on Freud’s psychoanalysis
- Take less time
- Not as focused on early childhood
- Focused more on ego or self instead of the id
- Take into account social relationships and needs, not just sexual and aggressive desires
Humanistic
Psychological problems occur when there is interference with normal development (eg. the little acorn analogy)
Key Concepts:
- Self-actualization
People motivated by healthy need for growth
Move towards full potential is a natural process
- Client-centered therapy
- Gestalt Theory: focus is on the ‘Now’
- Existential Theory: focus is on free will, choices, and responsibility
Humanistic Techniques
- Everything is based on the relationship between the therapist and the client
- Congruence (?)
- Unconditional Positive Regard
- Empathy
GOALS: - Create safe environment for client to work through conflicts toward self-actualization
- Recognize freedom
- Increase self-esteem
- Realize full potential
- Imitate therapist (relationship is key!)
Cognitive
Psychological problems occur from faulty thinking.
- One of the more popular theories today
Key Concepts:
- Perceptions and meanings of an event are important, not the event itself
- Emotional distress is based on a pattern of thinking
Cognitive Techniques
- Thought log: keep a journal of emotions, trying to see what they are in reaction to, and specifically what thoughts are leading to them
- Event to Belief to Emotion
- Therapy disputes the belief which leads to a new belief and new emotion
GOALS: - Identify cognitive distortions
- Change faulty thinking
REBT - Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
- Combination of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies
- Looks at the interaction between cognition, emotions, and behavior
- Focus is on faulty thinking
Ex: “I MUST get an A on the test!” or “I NEED to be loved by everyone!”
Behavior
Psychological problems arise as a result of classical and operant conditioning (think about creating a diet plan with rewards and punishments!!)
- Based on theories of learning
- Don’t care why behaviors exist (past doesn’t matter)
- Focused on
What triggers behavior?
What keeps it active?
What the client benefits from maintaing it?
- Emphasis on self-control and power of client
Behavioral Techniques
aka: Behavior Modification
- TONS of techniques
Relaxation training
Assertion training
Exposure therapy (systematic desensitization)
Aversion therapy (lemon on fingernails)
Contingency management
Token economy
Participant modeling
- Therapy is a partnership between therapist and client
- Homework is often assigned
Biological
- Psychological problems occur as a result of the physical biology of the brain.
- Abnormalities in the chemistry, circuitry, or activity of the brain can cause abnormal thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
- These abnormalities can predispose you to develop certain disorders.
Psychopharmacology (Biomedical Techniques)
Antipsychotics: used to treat symptoms of psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, ect. Usually given to people with Schizophrenia) - Most work by reducing dopamine levels in your brain (Haldol, Thorazine) - Long-term use leads to serious side-effects Tardive dyskinesia (incurable problems with motor control)
