PSYC 135: General Psychology II

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PSYC 135General Psychology II

• Dr. Brett A. Steinberg
• Department of Psychology
• Room 172, W.A. Bousfield Hall
• Tel [phone] E-Mail brett.steinberg_at_ucon
  n.edu

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Psychotherapy andOther Approachesto Treatment
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Overview of Topic

• 1) Introduction to the mental health professions
• 2) Survey of theoretical orientations
• 3) Nonspecific and specific factors in therapy
• 4) Synopsis of psychotherapy
• Psychodynamic therapy
• Cognitive therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• Humanistic therapy

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Overview of Topic (Cont.)

• Biological therapy
• Effectiveness of therapy

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Introduction

• Q How do you usually cope with problems?
• Q In what circumstances would you consider
  seeking help from a mental health professional?
• Q What would it be like to do this?

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Introduction (Cont.)

• Psychologist Ph.D. assessment, diagnosis, and
  psychotherapy
• Psychiatrist M.D. diagnosis and medication
• Psychiatric social worker M.S.W. psychotherapy
• Marriage and family therapist M.A. counseling

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Introduction (Cont.)

• Suggestions for choosing a provider
• Ask about training, experience, and credentials
• Licensure lawboard certification
  competence
• Ask about orientation and logistics (e.g.
  frequency and cost)
• Look for someone with whom you are comfortable
• Expect to be responsible for making it work
• Contact Department of Public Health if problems

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Psychodynamic Therapy

• Goal Resolve unconscious conflicts
• Improve defenses
• Enhance psychosexual functioning
• Methods
• 1) Access unconscious via free association and
  dreams
• 2) Point out patterns of behavior
  (interpretation)
• 3) Help patient work through new insights

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Rational-Emotive Therapy

• Goal Change maladaptive patterns of thought
• Methods
• 1) Use pointed questioning to identify irrational
  beliefs
• 2) Use humor and cognitive disputation to
  challenge and discredit such beliefs
• 3) Help patient develop more self-accepting,
  realistic, and flexible beliefs

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Systematic Desensitization

• Goal Gradually replace anxiety with relaxation
  using classical conditioning principles
• Methods
• 1) Teach relaxation skills
• 2) Construct hierarchy
• 3) Confront higher levels of hierarchy while
  relaxed
• In vivo in actual situation
• Imaginal in minds eye

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Client-Centered Therapy

• Goal Develop more realistic and accepting
  self-concept
• Methods
• 1) Provide empathy and unconditional positive
  regard
• 2) Follow patients lead in therapy using
  reflective listening skills

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Electroconvulsive Therapy

• Goal Improve mood in severely depressed (and
  suicidal) patient by inducing controlled seizure
• Methods
• 1) Anesthetize patient
• 2) Administer muscle relaxant
• 3) Apply electric current to brain (usually right
  side)
• 4) Repeat several times every few days

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Effectiveness of Therapy

• Depends on
• motivation of patient (self-disclosure
  homework)
• personal qualities and skill of therapist
• appropriateness of techniques for particular
  problems (matching)
• Versions of treatments used in research may be
  rather artificial

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Sample Test Question

• Although half of clinical psychology professors
  have a(n) _____ orientation, practicing
  therapists are more likely to endorse a(n) _____
  orientation.
• a) psychodynamic cognitive
• b) cognitive eclectic
• c) cognitive humanistic
• d) eclectic family systems