Psychotherapy Theories Flashcards
What is psychoanalysis?
Sigmund Freud - investigates interaction between conscious and unconscious; brings repressed fears and conflicts into the conscious through techniques
What are three methods/techniques of psychoanalysis?
Free association, hypnosis, dream interpretation
What is the goal of psychoanalysis?
Not to cure, but to help the client gain insight into the conditions of his/her illness.
What is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy?
Albert Ellis - at the root of emotional problems are irrational beliefs, which, despite causing unhappiness, anxiety, malaise, are nonetheless held onto by the individual; the beliefs are unrealistic
REBT treatment and goal
Treatment: uncovering and dislodging these unrealistic, irrational beliefs afford the client relief and healing. Goal: uncovering and dissecting these faulty belief systems and giving the client the necessary tools to effectively deactivate them while replacing them with healthy, realistic belief systems
What are the methods/techniques of REBT?
Identification, analyzing, revealing, cultivating, equipping
REBT & efficacy
Phobias, addictions, depression
Existential therapy
Viktor Frankl, Irvin Yalom - embraces personal freedom and choice; humans choose their own existence and meaning; focuses on concepts that are universally applicable to human existence including death, freedom, responsibility, and the meaning of life
What are the methods/techniques of existential therapy?
Therapist as a guide, conditions of essential concern, contradictory resolution
Reality Therapy
William Powers and William Glasser - individuals are not passive victims of their environment but active, empowered, autonomous entities - addressing things in the present
What are the methods/techniques of reality therapy?
Identification, empowerment, responsibility, “now” centeredness, holistic view, brevity, therapist’s role, rejection of transference
Humanistic Therapy
Carl Rogers - focused on personal growth and how the therapist can facilitate this for the client by an empathetic understanding of the client’s worldview and reality
Humanistic Therapy view of human nature
All humans are ultimately positive and trusting and have a capacity for authentic self-awareness, unselfish love, and sustainable spiritual growth
Humanistic Therapy process
The therapist assists the client in a transformative journey to ever-greater self-understanding and self-realization in a process of self-discovery
Humanistic Therapy methods/techniques
Authenticity, acceptance, empathy, collaboration
Gestalt Therapy
Emphasizes direct awareness. Places great importance on the experience of the present moment-the “now”-all change is experienced in the moment. This theory de-emphasizes memories
Describe Gestalt Therapy “experiments”
Therapist creates an experiment in which clients participate in order to gain greater insight and self-awareness. Ex: role playing, analysis of metaphors, and reliving past incidents
Gestalt Therapy - Efficacy
Ideal for people who are willing to challenge themselves and see the world from a new perspective. This is especially helpful for individuals overcoming dysfunctional attitudes or behaviors that have arisen from faulty or misdirected awareness
Behavior Therapy
A reaction to the introspectionism and innatism of psychoanalytic traditions. Behaviorism rejects any aspects of psychology that cannot be objectively measured, operationally defined, or subjected to controlled experiment and interobserver reality. The origin of the behavior is irrelevant - the focus is on the observable behaviors and treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Psycho-social intervention that aims to reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions; primarily anxiety and depression
