Theoretical Approaches to Psychotherapy

Question 1

What are four research-supported theoretical approaches?

Answer 1

• Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapies
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression
• Process-Experiential Therapies
• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies

Question 2

Define Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapies

Answer 2

• Emphasizes bringing awareness to unconscious processes, especially as they are expressed in interpersonal relationships.
• Helping the client understand and alter these processes

Question 3

Two areas of Focus of Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapies

Answer 3

• Transference: Unconscious application of expectations and emotional experiences, based on important early relationships, to later ones
• Interpretive Interventions: Focus on promoting a client’s insight into his or her wishes, emotions, and/or defence mechanisms

Question 4

Two Therapists/Researchers who helped popularize Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapies

Answer 4

• Lester Luborsky
• Hans Strupp

Question 5

Define Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression

Answer 5

• Emphasis on interpersonal elements in the development, maintenance, and alteration of psychological problems

Question 6

Two Areas of Focus of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression

Answer 6

• Examines the role of personal relationships in the maintenance of depression
• Focus on the transition between roles

Question 7

Two Therapists/Researchers who helped popularize Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression

Answer 7

• Myrna Weissman
• Harry Stack Sullivan

Question 8

Define Process-Experiential Therapies

Answer 8

• Emphasis on the importance of becoming aware of emotions, understanding and expressing emotions, and transforming maladaptive emotions into adaptive ones

Question 9

Two Area of Focus for Process-Experiential Therapies

Answer 9

• Emphasis on in-session experiencing of effect. Changes occur when experiential processing is facilitated by clients focusing attention to their in-session experiences
• Emphasis on the use of therapeutic relationships to help clients process emotions and to create new meaning for emotional experiences

Question 10

Two Therapists/Researchers who helped popularize Process-Experiential Therapies

Answer 10

• Robert Elliot
• Leslie Greenberg

Question 11

Define Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies

Answer 11

• Emphasis on the role of thoughts and behaviours in psychological problems and focuses on altering beliefs, expectations, and behaviours

Question 12

Two Areas of Focus for Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies

Answer 12

• Emphasizes the use of psychopathology research in understanding the problems experienced by the client
• Goal is to teach the client skills rather than deal with the ‘problem of the week’

Question 13

Two Therapists/Researchers who helped popularize Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies

Answer 13

• Albert Bandura
• Aaron Beck