what psychologists do 3 - interventions Flashcards
what is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
theory focusing on fulfilling innate human needs in priority to achieve self-actualisation
self actualisation
esteem
love/belonging
safety
physiological
what is psychotherapy
not one clear definitive description
involves a therapist and person receiving the therapy, with a main goal - reduction of suffering
can be individual or group setting
what are some common misconceptions about psychotherapy
Two people sitting on comfortable chairs and talking.
Sometimes one of the two people, the ‘client’ is lying on a couch.
The ‘client’ talks about troubling events whilst the therapist asks probing questions.
The therapist will nod or offer encouragement for the ‘client’ to say more, such as “Uh-huh”, “I
see”, “Tell me more about that”, “And how did that make you feel”.
Overtime the therapist gradually directs the client to focus on emotionally painful events from
their childhood, that have been buried in the unconscious.
Once the ‘client’ has fully remembered and discussed these issues their mental health improves.
what are some characteristics of effective therapists
Effective therapists possess a set of basic skills and traits.
Therapy is an interpersonal activity meaning that therapists need to have
strong interpersonal skills and empathy.
Including skills related to communication, relationship building, and self-monitoring with self-monitoring seen as a macro-skills.
T
herapists who can recognise differences and intensities in clients’ emotional experiences and who also have a verbal repertoire that enables these to be put into words, are more likely to effectively communicate their understanding to their clients.
relationship-building skills
Communicating with sincerity and warmth.
Supporting individuals without judgement.
Having the skill to remind the individual of their capacity and
responsibility for making beneficial changes in their life.
These clinical skills could be summarised as genuineness, empathy, and
unconditional positive regard also known as Rogerian qualities.
what did Carl Rogers do
He was among the founders of
the humanistic approach (or client- centred approach) to psychology.
Rogers is widely considered to be one
of the founding fathers
of psychotherapy research.
what are the three main challenges to therapeutic work
competency related difficulties (doubting their abilities and skills)
personality based difficulties (concerns about own personality traits impacting their effectiveness)
situational difficulties (related to environments that are not supportive of change such as secure settings with treatment resistant ‘clients’)
client difficulties
Are they ready for change?
What systemic factors might be maintaining/perpetuating the current situation or
emotional difficulties?
Are there any possible gains from the position the person is currently in?
what is a therapeutic alliance
relationship that develops between therapist and client
can be seen as a pact with a shared understanding about the professional relationship and the interactions that can take place within the pact
behavioural therapists see the therapeutic relationship playing a more prominent role
what are the therapeutic steps
Reducing emotional discomfort
Fostering insight
Providing new information -> education or psychoeducation
Assigning tasks to be completed outside of therapy sessions
Developing hope and expectation for change
what is psychoeducation
Providing information about the links between the biological, psychological, and social factors.
Helping the person understand the response in terms of what we know about the interaction between the body and mind. Anxiety is a very good example for this as there are very clear associations between the body’s response and our feelings.
assigning tasks
homework
can be actual sheets (e.g. in CBT)
This can be asking the ‘client’ to spend time noticing any possible patterns that might be
present. This could be for sleep, emotions, thoughts, and behaviour sbeing targeted.
what does motivational interviewing aim to do
develop hope and expectations for change
what are the similar goals of all approaches to therapy
Reducing emotional suffering
Fostering the ‘client’s’ insight
Psycho-education.
Assigning homework tasks
Developing hope and expectations for change
what are group interventions
Shared process
You can have past members demonstrate change.
In the current social/financial climate there is also a slight financial benefit of being able to see a group rather than individuals, but this should not be the main driver for groups to be offered.
what is group dynamics
refers to the attitudinal and behavioural characteristics of a group.
concerns how groups form, their structure and process, and how they function.
are relevant in both formal and informal groups of all type
who was Kurt Lewin
Known as one of the modern pioneers of social, organisational, and applied psychology in the United States.
Often recognised as the “founder of social psychology”.
what are tuckmans 5 stages of group development
Forming
Storming
Norming
Performing
Adjourning
conflict in the beginning, which is resolved throughout. group members begin to fall into their roles, and eventually settle their differences and begin to thrive
what are the group therapeutic principles
Universality - The recognition of shared experiences and feelings among group members and that these may be widespread or universal human concerns serves to remove a group member’s sense of isolation, validate their experiences, and raise self-esteem
Altruism - The group is a place where members can help each other, and the experience of being able to give something to another person can lift the member’s self=esteem as well as help with developing more adaptive coping styles and interpersonal skills.
Instillation of hope - In a mixed group that has members at various stages of development or recovery, a member can be inspired and encouraged by another member who has overcome the problems that they are still struggling with.
Imparting information - While this is not strictly speaking a psychotherapeutic process, members often report that it has been very helpful to learn factual information from other members of the group. For example, this includes information about the support they receive or about access to services.
Corrective recapitulation of the primary family experience –
Group members often unconsciously see in the group therapist and other group members their own parents and siblings in a process that is a form of transference specific to group psychotherapy. The therapist’s interpretations can help group members gain understanding of the impact of childhood experiences on their personality, and they may learn to avoid unconsciously repeating unhelpful past interactive patterns in present day relationships.
Development of socialising techniques - The group setting provides a safe and supportive environment for members to take risks by extending their repertoire of interpersonal behaviour and improving their social skills.
Imitative behaviour - One way in which group members can develop social skills is through modelling by observing and imitating the therapist and other group members. For example, sharing personal feelings, showing concern, and supporting others can be helpful.
Cohesiveness - It has been suggested that this is the primary therapeutic factor from which all others flow.
Humans are herd animals with an instinctive need to belong to groups, and personal development can only take place in an interpersonal context. A cohesive group is one in which all members feel a sense of belonging, acceptance, and validation.
Existential factors - Learning that one has to take responsibility for one’s own life and the consequences of one’s
decisions.
Catharsis – It is the experience of relief from emotional distress through the free and uninhibited expression of emotion. When members tell their story to a supportive audience, they can obtain relief from chronic feelings of shame and guilt.
Interpersonal learning - Group members achieve a greater level of self-awareness through the process of interacting
with others in the group, who will provide feedback on the member’s behaviour and impact on others.
Self-understanding - This factor overlaps with interpersonal learning but refers to the achievement of greater levels of insight into the genesis of one’s problems and the unconscious motivations that underlie one’s behaviour.
