Psychotherapy

Question 1

psychotherapy

Answer 1

*the use of psychological methods to help patients modify undesirable emotions, attitudes, and behaviors

Question 2

4 “waves” of psychotherapy

Answer 2

-psychodynamic
-behaviorism
-humanistic
-cognitive

Question 3

psychodynamic psychotherapy

Answer 3

*experiences in childhood impact us throughout life
*unconscious conflicts and resulting use of defense mechanisms lead to maladaptive behavior and relationships
*therapy is geared towards increasing “insight” into these unconscious processes

Question 4

behavior psychotherapy

Answer 4

*focus on observable behaviors
*based on classical learning theory and operant learning theory
*behaviors are reinforced or punished (ex. panic attacks -> avoidance; avoidance reinforced, leading to agoraphobia)
*therapy designed to change conditioning

Question 5

humanistic or person-centered psychotherapy

Answer 5

*fundamental belief in people and their tendency towards health under the proper conditions (self-actualization)
*maladaptive functioning due in part to external judgements and our attempts to conform in ways that are inconsistent with who we really are
*necessary and sufficient conditions of therapy:
-unconditional positive regard
-expression of accurate empathy
-congruence or genuineness

Question 6

cognitive psychotherapy

Answer 6

*distress is caused by faulty information processing
*cognitive triad of depression - negative thoughts about: the self, the world, and the future
*goal of therapy: neutral information processing

Question 7

examples of faulty information processing

Answer 7

*anxiety: danger
*anger: threat or hostile attributions
*depression: loss or defeat
*mania: self-importance

note - faulty information processing is a key tenet of cognitive therapy

Question 8

cognitive behavioral therapy - core idea

Answer 8

focuses on the interplay between thought, emotion, and behavior:

*what we THINK affects how we act and feel
*what we FEEL affects how we think and do
*what we DO affects how we think and feel

Question 9

cognitive restructuring - CBT

Answer 9

*identify automatic thoughts
*identify associated mood
*treat thought as a hypothesis to be tested (evidence for and against the thought)
*alternative/realistic belief
*altered mood

Question 10

behavioral techniques - CBT

Answer 10

*diaphragmatic breathing
*progressive muscle relaxation
*guided imagery
*exposure and response prevention
*behavioral activation

Question 11

mindfulness

Answer 11

paying attention to the present moment with intention, while letting go of judgement, as if your life depends on it