Terms and Definitions Flashcards
aberrant
Significantly different from what is considered standard; unusual, nonconforming, or deviant.
abstinence
The practice of refraining from an activity, often one that is considered pleasurable, like drinking or engaging in sexual activity.
acuity
The sharpness or keenness of a particular skill or sense, such as mental clarity, vision, or hearing.
acute
Short-term or brief in duration; typically high-intensity, sudden, and unexpected, not chronic.
advance directive
A written document outlining a person’s preferences for medical care to ensure their wishes are followed when they can no longer communicate, including living wills, medical powers of attorney, and DNR orders.
adverse event
An unexpected or harmful event, often resulting from a medical intervention like medication or surgery.
age of consent
The legal age at which a minor can engage in certain activities without parental permission, which varies by region and activity; minors over this age are given confidentiality as they are treated like adults
agranulocytosis
A reduction in white blood cell count, often due to medication side effects, such as from clozapine or some antipsychotics.
altruistic
Concerned with or motivated by the well-being of others, showing genuine selflessness.
amelioration
The process of improving or alleviating symptoms or the severity of a disease, illness, or social problem.
antecedents
Events or conditions that occur before or lead to other events; often seen as causes of harmful behaviors.
apathy
A lack of interest, emotion, or motivation, often observed in conditions like depression.
assent
The agreement or consent given by someone who is unable to legally consent due to age or cognitive limitations.
assisted suicide
The act of ending one’s life with help from others, often involving the provision of lethal drugs by a doctor to patients with terminal or incurable illnesses.
attachment theory
A psychological concept that examines how early emotional connections with primary caregivers influence a person’s development throughout life.
atrophy
The reduction in size or function of muscle or nerve tissue, often due to aging, lack of activity, malnutrition, or certain medical conditions or injuries.
authoritarian parenting
A parenting style where strict rules are imposed on children, and failure to follow them results in punishment.
authoritative parenting
A parenting approach where caregivers set rules and expectations, but also nurture and forgive children when they don’t fully comply, allowing for more democratic interaction.
aversion therapy
A form of behavioral therapy aimed at helping individuals stop undesirable habits by associating them with unpleasant or negative consequences.
avolition
A complete lack of motivation, making it difficult to accomplish tasks or engage in activities.
barbiturates
A category of drugs that are central nervous system depressants, once commonly used for anxiety or sleep issues, but now less frequently prescribed due to their addictive nature and the risk of life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
bartering
The exchange of goods or services without monetary payment, which can lead to potential conflicts of interest and boundary issues in professional relationships, particularly in social work.
beneficence
The ethical principle of acting in ways that benefit others, with a responsibility to help and avoid harm to those served.
benign
Describes a condition or growth that is not harmful or life-threatening, typically used to refer to non-cancerous tumors.
benzodiazepines
A class of medications that calm the central nervous system and relax muscles, commonly used to treat anxiety, panic disorder, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal; they have largely replaced barbiturates due to safer overdose profiles.ional experience of grief following the death of a loved one.
bereavement
The emotional experience of grief following the death of a loved one.
biofeedback
A therapeutic technique that helps individuals learn to control physiological functions like heart rate or muscle tension to reduce stress or discomfort.
biopsychosocial assessment
A comprehensive evaluation that looks at biological, psychological, and social factors to understand an individual’s overall health and well-being.
boundary crossing
A situation where a professional intentionally or unintentionally steps outside established ethical or professional standards in their relationships, without causing harm or exploitation.
boundary violation
A harmful breach of professional boundaries that may exploit or damage the relationship between a professional and their client
broker
A role in social work focused on identifying, locating, and connecting individuals with necessary community resources. Here are the paraphrased definitions for each term:
callous
Displaying a lack of concern or emotion for others; showing indifference to the feelings or experiences of others.
case advocacy
The act of supporting and assisting individuals or families by negotiating and navigating systems to help achieve necessary changes.
catastrophizing
Expecting the worst outcome in uncertain situations, often leading to excessive worry and anxiety.
catalyst
A social work role focused on initiating change to combat inequality or promote social justice, through advocacy, policy changes, and support for global interdependence.
catatonia
A motor disorder marked by muscle stiffness, unusual postures, or a lack of movement, often associated with certain mental health conditions, sometimes referred to as a “catatonic state.”
catharsis
The release of repressed or pent-up emotions, particularly those linked to trauma, as a means of achieving emotional healing.
chaining
A behavioral technique for learning complex tasks by reinforcing each step in a sequence until the whole task is mastered, with forward chaining reinforcing the first step before moving on to subsequent ones.
chronic
Describing a condition or issue that persists over a long period of time or recurs frequently; ongoing.
cisgender
A person whose gender identity aligns with the traditional gender roles associated with their assigned birth sex.
civil commitment
Court-mandated confinement or hospitalization of an individual due to potential harm to themselves or others; also known as involuntary commitment or hospitalization.
close-ended questioning
A type of questioning that requires specific, limited answers (e.g., yes/no) and is used to gather specific information quickly or structure an assessment.
codependency
A dysfunctional relationship where two individuals are emotionally reliant on each other, often enabling harmful behavior in one person.
cognitive dissonance
The mental discomfort that arises when a person holds conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes, leading to psychological stress.
cognitive distortions
Inaccurate or irrational thinking patterns that can help individuals cope with difficult situations, but often need addressing in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
cognitive restructuring
A therapeutic method that helps clients identify and correct faulty thinking or self-defeating beliefs, replacing them with more constructive and positive thought patterns.
collateral contact
A third party with direct knowledge of the client’s situation, whose information can help verify or supplement the client’s details.
collateral information
Records or documents related to a client, used to support or confirm the information provided by the client during the problem-solving process.
comorbidity
The simultaneous presence of two or more conditions, such as both a psychological disorder and a physical health problem, often referred to as co-occurring conditions.
compassion fatigue
The emotional exhaustion and stress experienced by professionals working with individuals who have suffered trauma, characterized by feelings of apathy, burnout, and helplessness.
complementarity
The idea that one person’s qualities complement or enhance another’s, contributing to balance and harmony in a relationship.
compulsion
A behavior driven by the need to avoid discomfort or negative outcomes, typically performed to alleviate anxiety or distress.
confirmation bias
The tendency to seek out or interpret information in a way that confirms pre-existing beliefs or assumptions.
conflict resolution
A process used by two or more parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution to a dispute or disagreement.
confrontation
A therapeutic technique used to bring attention to distorted thinking, behavior patterns, or ineffective communication to address underlying issues.
congruent communication
When verbal and non-verbal communication align, delivering a consistent and authentic message, crucial for building trust and emotional intimacy.
conjoint therapy
Therapy where multiple members of a family or relationship are treated together in joint sessions, rather than individually.
consent
Legal authorization or agreement to proceed with an action, which cannot be obtained from those without the legal capacity to make decisions.
consultation
Professional advice or guidance, usually time-limited, offered by an expert, where the recommendations are non-binding.
continuity of care
Ensuring seamless service delivery, with no gaps or duplication, especially when transitioning between providers or after being discharged from a healthcare setting.
continuum of care
A system of services designed to address a wide range of needs, from severe to less critical, providing appropriate support throughout different stages.
conversion therapy
A controversial and unethical attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, particularly from homosexual to heterosexual, sometimes referred to as reparative therapy.
corroboration
Independent evidence or testimony that supports or confirms information.
countertransference
The emotional reactions a helper experiences toward a client, which can reveal insights about the helper’s own psychological needs and enhance the therapeutic process.
decompensation
A decline in normal functioning, affecting thought processes, emotional regulation, daily activities, or cognitive abilities.
defense mechanism
Unconscious mental processes used to protect oneself from anxiety or conflict by distorting reality.
delirious
Experiencing confusion, incoherence, or disorganized thoughts, often accompanied by heightened excitement or agitation.
delirium
A temporary, acute state of confusion and disorientation, often with memory loss, hallucinations, and changes in cognition, usually treatable.
delusion
A false belief that persists despite contrary evidence, a key symptom of certain psychological disorders.
delusion of grandeur
A false belief in one’s extraordinary abilities, importance, or worth, often disproportionate to reality.
dementia
A general term for a decline in cognitive functions like memory, language, and problem-solving that affects daily life, mainly in individuals over 65. The risk increases with age.
depersonalization
A feeling of disconnection from oneself and the external world, often caused by trauma or certain mental health conditions.
desensitization
The process of gradually reducing negative reactions to stimuli through repeated exposure or therapeutic techniques, often used to manage anxiety or fear.
detoxification
The process of removing harmful substances like drugs from the body, which must be monitored closely due to potential life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
developmental disability
A lifelong condition that causes significant impairment in areas such as cognition or mobility, occurring before adulthood, often due to genetic factors or early childhood injuries.
deviance
Behaviors or actions that are seen as abnormal or outside the norm; data or behaviors that significantly differ from typical patterns.
dialectic
The process of discovering truth through the discussion and debate of opposing views, used in some forms of therapy like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which focuses on emotional regulation and acceptance.
differential diagnosis
The process of distinguishing between various possible causes of similar symptoms to accurately identify a disorder.
discounting the positive
A cognitive distortion where positive events are dismissed as luck or isolated incidents, minimizing their importance.
double bind
A situation where contradictory messages or demands are given, where responding to one will negate the other, leading to a no-win scenario.
dual relationship
When a professional has a personal connection to the client (e.g., friend, family member), which should generally be avoided to maintain appropriate boundaries.
dysphoria
A general feeling of dissatisfaction or unease.
dysthymia
A chronic form of mild depression, also known as persistent depressive disorder, which is often treatable.
eco-map
A visual tool used to map out the systems influencing a client’s life, such as family, work, and community.
echolalia
The involuntary repetition of words or sounds, often seen in certain mental health conditions or in children learning language.
eclectic therapy
The use of multiple therapeutic techniques and approaches to find the most effective treatment for each individual client.
ecological perspective
A framework that focuses on how individuals interact with their environment, considering the broader social, cultural, and environmental contexts.
ego
The part of the personality that mediates between our primal desires (id) and our moral standards (superego), helping us navigate the external world.
egocentric
A lack of consideration for others’ perspectives, focusing solely on one’s own needs, interests, or views.
ego dystonic
Thoughts or behaviors that are inconsistent with one’s self-image and are distressing or unacceptable to the person.
ego syntonic
Thoughts or behaviors that align with one’s sense of self and are acceptable, fitting seamlessly with personal beliefs and desires.
elimination disorder
A condition where individuals, often children or those with intellectual disabilities, struggle with involuntary defecation or urination, not due to a medical condition or substance use.
emancipated minor
A minor who is legally recognized as independent from their parents or guardians, and can make decisions and assume adult legal responsibilities.
enabler
A person who supports or allows dysfunctional behavior, often by making excuses or shielding the individual from the consequences of their actions, or a social work role that provides emotional support and reduces stress.
encopresis
Involuntary fecal incontinence, often linked to emotional or psychological stress, typically treated with behavioral interventions after ruling out medical causes.
endogenous depression
Depression that occurs without an external cause, often linked to genetic or biological factors.
enmeshed family
A family dynamic where members have overly close boundaries, lacking autonomy or personal space.
entitlement
A belief that one deserves special treatment or privileges, often without justification.
entropy
The level of disorder, randomness, or chaos within a system, including families or organizations.
enuresis
Involuntary urination, typically occurring in children, sometimes due to medical or psychological issues, which should be assessed before treatment.
equifinality
The idea that different causes or paths can lead to the same outcome or result.
equity
The principle of fair distribution of resources, which may require different treatment for different individuals to ensure equal opportunity, unlike equality which treats everyone the same.
ethnocentrism
The belief that one’s own culture or ethnic group is superior to others, leading to the judgment or discrimination of other groups.
euphoria
An intense state of happiness or elation, often disproportionate to external events and associated with conditions like mania in bipolar disorder.
etiology
The study or identification of the causes or origins of a behavior, disorder, or disease.
evidence-based practice
The use of scientifically validated research and data to inform and guide professional interventions.
existential therapy
A therapeutic approach that emphasizes personal responsibility, freedom of choice, and finding meaning in life, with a focus on self-awareness.
exogenous depression
Depression caused by external factors, often in response to stressful life events or trauma.
expressive communication
The ability to convey thoughts, feelings, and ideas through various forms of expression such as speech, gestures, or symbols.
extinction
The reduction or elimination of a learned behavior when it is no longer reinforced.
external locus of control
The belief that outcomes are determined by external factors, like luck or fate, rather than one’s own actions.
external validity
The extent to which research findings can be generalized to other settings, populations, or situations.
expressive therapies
Therapeutic approaches that incorporate creative arts, such as art, music, or dance, to promote healing and self-expression.
factitious disorder
A mental health condition in which an individual intentionally feigns illness or injury to gain attention or sympathy, sometimes imposed on others (e.g., a caregiver presenting a child as sick).
false memory syndrome
A condition where a person falsely recalls events, particularly traumatic ones like childhood abuse, that did not actually occur.
false positive
A test result that incorrectly indicates the presence of a condition when the condition is not actually present.
feasibility study
An assessment of whether a plan or project is realistic and achievable given the available resources.
feces
Waste matter expelled from the intestines, commonly referred to as stool.
fee splitting
An unethical practice where a professional receives compensation for referring clients to other providers.
fee-for-service
A payment model where providers charge for each service rendered, and payments are made either by clients or insurance companies.
fetish
An object or nonsexual part of the body that causes sexual excitement, or an excessive focus on an object or behavior.
fixation
An obsessive focus on a particular idea, impulse, or goal, often to the exclusion of other thoughts or desires.
flashbacks
Intense, involuntary re-experiences of traumatic events, typically associated with PTSD.
flooding
A behavioral therapy technique where individuals are exposed to anxiety-provoking stimuli in a controlled, intense way to reduce their fear response over time.
folie à deux
A shared delusional disorder between two or more people, typically in close relationships, where one person’s delusion influences the other.
formative evaluation
The process of collecting and analyzing feedback during the development or implementation of a project or program to make improvements.
free association
A psychoanalytic technique where a client is encouraged to say whatever comes to mind, regardless of how irrelevant or uncomfortable, to uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings.
generativity
The desire to contribute to society and make the world a better place for future generations; typically occurs in middle adulthood, according to Erikson’s theory.
genogram
A visual representation of a person’s family tree, including relationships and medical history, used to identify patterns in behavior and hereditary health issues.
gestalt therapy
A therapeutic approach that focuses on self-awareness and responsibility for one’s actions, emphasizing the “here and now,” and using techniques like role-playing to understand behaviors.
grandiosity
An inflated sense of self-importance or abilities, which can become delusional when it is extreme.
groupthink
A phenomenon where a group of individuals reaches a consensus without critically considering alternative options or the potential consequences.
guided imagery
A relaxation technique where individuals imagine calming and peaceful mental images to reduce stress, pain, or to enhance performance.
gustatory hallucinations
The experience of tasting something that is not present, often described as tasting inedible substances like metal.
hallucination
A false perception, such as hearing voices or seeing things, that feels real but isn’t, often seen in psychotic disorders or due to substance use.
health care proxy
A legal document that designates someone to make healthcare decisions on a person’s behalf if they become unable to do so themselves; different from a living will, which specifies desired life-saving measures.
hero
A family role where an individual excels or performs well to draw attention away from the family’s dysfunction, often seen as the “perfect” child.
histrionic behavior
A pattern of dramatic, manipulative, and attention-seeking behavior often aimed at drawing attention to oneself.
homeopathy
A form of alternative medicine based on the belief that the body can heal itself through natural substances, like plants and minerals, which stimulate the body’s own healing processes.
homeostasis
The process by which systems maintain balance and stability, ensuring that internal conditions remain consistent despite external changes.
humanistic psychology
A psychological approach focusing on the individual, emphasizing personal growth, self-worth, and fulfillment, and challenging deterministic views of human behavior.
hypochondriasis
A mental health condition characterized by an excessive preoccupation with fear of illness, despite no evidence of physical disease; now known as illness anxiety disorder.
hypomania
A milder form of mania, marked by elevated mood, irritability, high energy, and increased confidence, but without significantly impairing daily functioning.
id
The part of the personality that contains instinctual, biological drives and seeks immediate gratification; it is the most primitive part of the psyche.
ideas of reference
The belief that ordinary, unrelated events have a special personal significance or are directly related to oneself, often seen in delusions.
ideation
The formation of ideas or beliefs, including suicidal ideation, which requires careful assessment for potential harm.
identification with the aggressor
A psychological phenomenon where victims of trauma, such as assault or kidnapping, develop empathy for their perpetrators, sometimes justifying their actions, also known as Stockholm syndrome.
idiopathic
A term used to describe a condition or disease with an unknown or unclear cause.
illusion
A misperception or misinterpretation of reality, often experienced by individuals with conditions like schizophrenia.
imaginary friend
A created companion, often seen in childhood, who serves as a source of social interaction; not an indication of mental illness.
impaired colleague
A coworker whose performance is affected by physical or mental health issues, including substance abuse, illness, or stress, requiring attention and accommodations.
impotence
The inability to maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse, often related to physical health conditions, but can also have emotional causes.
in vivo
Refers to real-life conditions or settings, often used in contexts such as face-to-face supervision or interactions.
incoherent
Disorganized, unclear speech or behavior that is difficult to understand or follow.
insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep, often associated with mental health disorders like anxiety or depression.
interdisciplinary
A coordinated approach where multiple disciplines work together to address a problem, combining expertise in a unified way, distinct from a multidisciplinary approach.
intermittent reinforcement
A behavior modification technique where responses are only occasionally rewarded, making the behavior more resistant to extinction.
internal locus of control
The belief that one’s actions, abilities, and decisions largely determine the outcomes of events in their life.
internal validity
The degree to which a study accurately measures the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable, ensuring a cause-effect relationship.
involuntary commitment
A legal process where individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others are confined to a facility without their consent; reevaluation happens regularly.
learned helplessness
A psychological state in which a person believes they have no control over their circumstances, leading to passivity and inaction, often preventing efforts to change.
least restrictive environment
An approach that encourages the least amount of control and the most natural settings for individuals, particularly in the context of disabilities, to promote inclusion and avoid segregation.
lethality
The capacity of something to cause death or serious injury.
lethargy
A state of low energy and motivation, often associated with depression or other health conditions.
locus of control
A concept referring to the degree to which individuals believe they can control the events affecting their lives; can be internal (self-controlled) or external (controlled by outside forces).
lost child
A family role where the individual withdraws from dysfunction and is often seen as the quiet, isolated one; may be perceived as the “good” child because they avoid conflict.
magical thinking
The belief that one’s thoughts, actions, or words can directly influence or cause external events, often associated with superstitions.
malaise
A general feeling of discomfort, unease, or that something is wrong, often without a clear cause.
maleficence
The act of causing harm or evil, which can be prevented by following ethical standards and evidence-based practices.
malingering
Faking or exaggerating illness for external gain, such as avoiding work or duties.
managed care
A system that coordinates healthcare services and treatments through a third party, aiming to reduce costs and ensure continuity of care.
mania
A state of extreme excitement, overactivity, and impulsive behavior, often seen in bipolar disorder, marked by high energy, impulsive decisions, and impaired judgment.
mascot
A family role where an individual uses humor or distraction to ease tension and avoid dealing with dysfunction within the family.
mediator
A role in social work focused on resolving conflicts between individuals or groups through negotiation and compromise.
medical model
A health model that views disease and illness as something to be diagnosed and treated through medical examinations, tests, and symptom descriptions.
medical necessity
Services or treatments that are considered essential for diagnosing or treating a medical or behavioral condition according to accepted healthcare standards.
medication-assisted treatment
The use of prescribed medications, combined with therapy, to help individuals manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with substance use disorders.
mental status exam
A clinical assessment that evaluates a person’s current mental state by examining their appearance, behavior, thoughts, mood, and cognitive functions.
mood stabilizer
A type of medication used to manage mood swings and stabilize emotions in individuals with mood disorders, like bipolar disorder.
morbidity
The rate of disease in a population; the presence of unhealthiness or psychological distress in a group.
motivational interviewing
A counseling approach designed to help individuals resolve ambivalence and foster internal motivation to change their behavior. It involves eliciting “change talk” and supporting self-motivated change.
multidisciplinary
Involving professionals from various disciplines, each staying within their specific boundaries. This approach contrasts with interdisciplinary work, where
narrative therapy
A therapeutic approach where clients are encouraged to externalize their problems and reframe their life stories, allowing them to view issues from a different perspective.
narcolepsy
A sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep episodes. These episodes can occur during activities like driving and are often uncontrollable. It is a chronic condition, but symptoms can be managed with medication.
negative entropy
Refers to the process of a system becoming more organized or ordered. In the context of systems, it’s seen as growth or development.
negligence
The failure to exercise reasonable care or caution, resulting in harm or damage to someone.
neurotransmitter
A chemical messenger in the brain that transmits signals between neurons, playing a role in regulating mood, behavior, and cognitive functions.
object permanence
The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched. This is an important developmental milestone in infants.
object relations theory
This theory examines how early experiences with caregivers shape one’s ability to form and maintain positive relationships. It emphasizes the importance of attachment and connection during early development.
olfactory hallucinations
The experience of smelling odors that are not actually present. These can be pleasant or unpleasant and are often associated with certain psychiatric conditions.
Organic Brain Syndrome
A category of conditions that cause persistent mental impairment and may result from physical causes such as dementia, delirium, infection, or injury.
Palliative Care
Medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and suffering associated with serious illness, rather than aiming to cure the illness itself.
Paradoxical Directive
A therapeutic technique in which the therapist encourages the client to continue or exaggerate problematic behaviors, often as a way to break patterns or create awareness about control over the behavior.
Paranoia
A mental state characterized by irrational suspicion or fear of others, often accompanied by delusions of persecution or betrayal.
Paraphrasing
A therapeutic technique where the counselor repeats or rephrases what the client has said, aiming to ensure understanding and allow the client to reflect on their thoughts more clearly.
Parasomnia:
A category of sleep disorders involving abnormal behaviors or movements during sleep, such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, or night terrors.
Parity
The principle of equality between two things, such as equal access to mental and physical healthcare services.
Partialization
The therapeutic technique of breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps or issues.
Permanency Planning
A social work practice that involves preparing children in out-of-home placements for long-term care or permanent homes, either with family members or other caregivers.
Permissive Parenting:
A parenting style characterized by high responsiveness but low demands, where caregivers tend to avoid conflict and allow children a high degree of autonomy.
Polarized Thinking
A cognitive distortion in which individuals view situations in extremes, with no middle ground—often referred to as “all-or-nothing” thinking.
Positive Regard
The therapeutic practice of accepting and supporting clients without judgment, regardless of their behavior or attitudes.
Prescribing the Symptom
A therapeutic technique where the therapist encourages clients to continue or exaggerate the behaviors they want to change, often to gain insight into the control they have over those behaviors.
Privileged Communication
A legal right to confidentiality in communication between certain professionals (e.g., therapist-patient, lawyer-client) to encourage open and honest dialogue without fear of disclosure.
Prognosis
The anticipated course and outcome of a disease or condition based on current knowledge and evidence. It helps clients understand the likely future effects of their health condition.
Pro Bono
Providing services, typically legal or professional, without charge, especially for those who cannot afford to pay for them.
Projection Bias
The tendency to assume that others share the same thoughts, priorities, or attitudes as oneself, often leading to misunderstanding or misjudgment.
Proxy
A person authorized to act on behalf of another individual, often in decision-making or representation.
Psychodrama
A therapeutic technique where clients enact scenes from their lives, either as themselves or as others, to explore their emotions and experiences.
Psychodynamic Theory
A therapeutic approach that focuses on exploring unconscious thoughts and early childhood experiences to understand current behavior and emotional states.
Psychopharmacology
The study and use of medications to treat mental health disorders, such as using antidepressants or antipsychotics to manage symptoms of conditions like depression or schizophrenia.
Psychosis
A mental condition characterized by impaired thinking, loss of touch with reality, and often includes symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
Psychosomatic
Referring to physical ailments caused by psychological factors, where emotional or mental distress is expressed as physical symptoms.
Psychotherapy Notes
Confidential notes taken by a therapist during a session, separate from the client’s main file, and typically not shared with others.
Psychotic Break
A sudden and significant onset of psychotic symptoms, often marked by a loss of touch with reality.
Power of Attorney
A legal document that gives one person the authority to make decisions for another, typically related to financial or healthcare matters.
Rapid Cycling
A pattern in bipolar disorder where an individual experiences frequent shifts between manic, hypomanic, depressive, or mixed states within a short time.
Rapprochement
A developmental stage in which young children begin to recognize themselves as separate from their caregivers, typically occurring around 18 months of age.
Reality Testing
A process of assessing whether one’s perceptions and beliefs align with actual external realities, helping to distinguish between fantasy and reality.
Receptive Communication
The ability to comprehend and understand spoken or written language; the “input” side of communication.
Redaction
The process of editing or removing sensitive information from documents, often for legal or security purposes.
Reflection
A therapeutic technique where the therapist mirrors back the client’s words or feelings to help them gain deeper understanding and self-awareness.
Reframing
A technique used to help individuals look at a situation or problem from a different perspective, often to uncover more positive or helpful aspects.
Residual:
Refers to symptoms, impairments, or conditions that persist even after primary treatment or intervention.
Respite Care
Short-term care services that provide relief to regular caregivers, helping them avoid burnout by temporarily taking over their caregiving responsibilities.
Role Complementarity
The alignment of behavior with expected roles within a family or system; performing actions that fit within assumed roles
Role Reversal
A therapeutic technique, often used in psychodrama, where individuals swap roles to increase empathy and understanding of others’ feelings and perspectives.
Rumination
The repetitive focusing on certain thoughts, often related to worries or problems, that can prevent progress or cause emotional distress.
Scapegoat
A person or group blamed for problems or misfortunes, often to divert attention from other issues.
Secondary Prevention
Measures taken to detect or prevent the progression of diseases in the earliest stages, such as through screenings or early interventions.
Secondary Trauma:
The emotional distress experienced by those who are exposed to the traumatic experiences of others, often leading to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Self-Actualization:
The realization of one’s full potential in creative, intellectual, and social areas, leading to a sense of fulfillment.
Self-Efficacy:
The belief in one’s ability to accomplish tasks or achieve goals, which influences motivation and behavior.
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter in the brain that regulates mood, emotion, and sleep, often associated with feelings of well-being
Shaping
A behavior management technique that involves reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior.
Sliding Scale
A payment structure that adjusts fees based on the client’s income or financial ability to pay.
Somatization
The process by which psychological stress is expressed as physical symptoms, often with no apparent medical cause.
Splitting
A defense mechanism where an individual views people or situations in extremes, either all good or all bad, often seen in individuals with borderline personality disorder.
Standard of Care
The level of care and skill that is considered acceptable and appropriate for a given situation by a professional in the field.
Strategic Family Therapy
A therapeutic approach focused on applying interventions that directly address behavioral issues, rather than analyzing the origins of those issues.
Structural Family Therapy
A therapeutic approach that examines and seeks to restructure the roles, boundaries, and relationships within a family to improve overall functioning.
Stupor
A state of impaired consciousness where an individual is unresponsive, disoriented, and may show little or no movement.
Suicidal Ideation
Thoughts or considerations about ending one’s own life. It’s important to assess and address these thoughts in therapy.
Superego
The part of the personality that represents internalized societal rules, morals, and values, often developed through childhood experiences.
Symbiotic Relationship
A close, interdependent relationship where individuals rely on each other for physical and emotional needs, often seen in early childhood development.
Systematic Desensitization
A therapeutic technique that gradually exposes a person to anxiety-provoking stimuli to reduce fear or anxiety over time.
Tactile Hallucinations
The sensation of touch or physical movement that is not based on real stimuli, often seen in some psychiatric disorders.
Tarasoff Decision
A legal precedent requiring therapists to warn individuals or authorities if a client poses an imminent threat to someone else.
Tardive Dyskinesia
A neurological condition involving involuntary, repetitive movements, often caused by prolonged use of certain psychiatric medications.
Task-Centered Treatment
A short-term, goal-oriented therapy approach that focuses on identifying problems and creating specific, actionable steps to address them.
Task Group
A group formed to achieve a specific task or goal, such as problem-solving, service provision, or product creation.
Tertiary Prevention
Interventions that aim to improve the quality of life for individuals already affected by a disease or condition, focusing on reducing complications or limitations.
Third-Party Payers
Organizations, typically insurance companies or government agencies, that pay for services provided to clients.
Toxic Stress
Chronic, intense stress that occurs without sufficient protective factors, such as supportive relationships, and often leads to long-term health consequences.
Transference
The phenomenon where clients project feelings from past relationships onto their therapist or counselor.
Trauma Bonding
A strong emotional attachment that forms between an abuser and their victim, often due to cycles of abuse and reconciliation.
Triaging:
The process of prioritizing patients or clients based on the severity of their condition, often used in disaster or emergency settings.
Unconditional Positive Regard
A therapeutic practice where the therapist offers total acceptance and support to the client, regardless of their actions or feelings.
Uninvolved Parenting
A parenting style where caregivers show little involvement or engagement with their children’s needs or activities. It can often stem from the caregivers’ own struggles or stress.
Unspecified Mental Disorder
A diagnosis used when an individual exhibits symptoms that cause significant distress or impairment in their functioning but do not meet the full criteria for a specific mental disorder. This term is used when the clinician chooses not to specify why the criteria for a particular disorder are not fully met.
Utilization Review
A process used to evaluate whether the care being provided is appropriate and necessary, typically conducted by third-party payers, such as insurance companies. The goal is to ensure that the level of care aligns with medical standards and is justified by the patient’s needs. It is part of a broader quality assurance process.
Vicarious Liability
A legal concept stating that an employer, supervisor, or instructor may be held responsible for the actions of their employees or subordinates if those actions cause harm. This extends liability beyond the individual to those in a supervisory or authoritative role.
Vicarious Trauma
Psychological distress or trauma that occurs in individuals as a result of exposure to the traumatic experiences of others. Often experienced by professionals in fields like social work, healthcare, or law enforcement, it develops gradually over time and can affect a person’s emotional well-being, leading to symptoms similar to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
