Week 11 - Treating Mental Health Problems

Question 1

What are the important foundations of evidence-based psychological treatments?

Answer 1

• High quality research
• Clinical and practice guidelines
• Evidence-based clinical practice

Question 2

Explain how Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) works

Answer 2

• Time-limited, structured therapy
• Treatment is driven by patient goals and a joint understanding of difficulties (formation)
• Treatment is action-oriented and involves actively addressing processes of maintenance
• Cognitive and behavioural components are crucial (w/ emphasis on behavioural change)

Question 3

What does Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) assume?

Answer 3

Assumes that disordered behaviour is learned, and symptom is achieved through changing overt maladaptive behaviours into more constructive behaviours

Question 4

Explain the model of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Answer 4

• Thought <-> Behaviour <-> Emotion <-> Thought
• Thoughts, behaviours and emotions can be reciprocally deterministic
• CBT helps us recognise the relationships between thoughts, behaviours and emotions, and making changes to thoughts and behaviours to enhance emotional experiences/symptoms

Question 5

What do you do in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Answer 5

• Identify thoughts (incl. images), feelings, behaviours
• Identify triggers for specific behaviours/thoughts/feelings
• Evaluating function and consequences of behaviours/strategies
• Through “cognitive re-structuring”, clients monitor and learn to challenge/re-evaluate negative thoughts and beliefs
• Identify and address processes of maintenance

Question 6

Explain cognitive restructuring (CBT strategy)

Answer 6

• Identifying and challenging unhelpful/irrational thoughts (e.g., appraisal of symptoms/feared outcomes/personal meaning)
• Remedying cognitive distortions

Question 7

Explain thought records (CBT strategy)

Answer 7

Identifying and challenging negative automatic thoughts

Question 8

Explain behavioural activation (CBT strategy)

Answer 8

Supports individuals to increase participation in activities that will be intrinsically rewarding

Question 9

Explain behavioural experiments (CBT strategy)

Answer 9

Pragmatically testing beliefs/predictions/perceived function and/or consequences of behaviours

Question 10

Do all therapies take a specific theoretical approach?

Answer 10

• Therapists may be trained in and utilise 2/3 different therapeutic models/modalities
• Some therapies use a much wider range of strategies (eclectic approach)
• Evidence-based practice involves delivering empirically supported treatments

Question 11

Explain the eclectic approach in therapy

Answer 11

Involve clinicians choosing strategies based upon clinician judgement rather than a specific theoretical model/protocol

Question 12

Who are the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) aimed towards?

Answer 12

Developed to help individuals experiencing intense emotions and difficulties consistent with personality disorder, particularly BPD, but may be helpful for individuals who have difficulties regulating emotion

Question 13

What does Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) incorporate and promote?

Answer 13

• Mindfulness
• Distress tolerance
• Emotion recognition & acceptance
• Understanding causes & consequences of feelings
• Interpersonal effectiveness