Psychotherapy

Question 1

Long Term Psychotherapy (2 types)

Answer 1

• Open-ended, may last years
• Psychoanalysis
  
  • Explore person’s psyche by having patient lay down and use free association
  • Theory = we repress realities that are too frightening to acknowledge so we can function (unconscious)
  • Use defense mechanisms to protect self from reality (denial, projection, reaction formation, etc) BUT if these defenses are immature, unhelpful, fail we have psych pathology
  • Occasionally physician will interpret BUT no advice
  • Transference = patient’s problems w/ outside world manifest in therapist-patient relationship
  • Expensive (usually not covered), and meet 4-5hrs /wk
  • Lacks evidence-based medicine
• Insight-Oriented Psychodynamic Therapy (LITE VERSION)
  
  • 1-2 sessions/ wk
  • Often covered by insurance
  • Same principles but less intense
  • Still do not give advice

Question 2

Short Term Psychotherapy in General

Answer 2

• Lasts 6-12 wks
• Covered by insurance
• Focus on present, skills, act like a coach
• More evidence-based
• Do not interpret transference unless it is interfering w/ sessions

Question 3

3 Types of Short Term Psychotherapy

Answer 3

• 1- CBT
• 2- Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• 3- Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP)

Question 4

CBT

Answer 4

• Theory - reverse distorted thoughts that result ingestive emotions
• Teach patient to recognize these thoughts then replace them
• Behavioral activation to break depressive cycle
• Objective tracking of daily activity to find out what is most rewarding
• Assignments b/n sessions

Question 5

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Answer 5

• Theory - restore disruptions in social connections

- Grief/loss, role transitions, role disputes, interpersonal deficits (withdrawn)

Question 6

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Answer 6

• Treat phobias and OCD
• Graded exposure to phobic/obsessional stimulus but not allowed to flee or engage in compulsion (block reinforcement)
• Teach distress tolerance