Basic Psychological Treatments

Dr Tuoyo AwaniST6

Outline

• Gain a basic understanding of different main psychotherapies

• Only cover psychodynamic therapy and CBT very briefly, as other lectures on these

• Know the indications for different therapies• Know the key techniques and concepts• Know the important names • Practice psychotherapy related exam questions

Characteristics of different psychotherapies

• Practicalities: How many sessions? How often?• Structure: How structured? Is there homework?• Key ideas: What does therapy focus on? What is

the theory behind it?• Interventions: What are the main treatment

methods?• Indications: What problems or diagnoses is it

suitable for?

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy(Freud, Jung, Klein, Winnicott)

• Practicalities: – Brief / focal therapy (Balint, Malan): 4-6 months, 1-2

times/week– Long-term exploratory therapy: 1 year or more

• Structure:– Relatively unstructured, without homework

• Key ideas:– Understand aspects of problem previously unaware of

(unconscious conflict)– Aims is more broad than removing single symptoms

or problem behaviours

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy 2

• Interventions:– Discuss past and recent problems, therapists

suggests links between these (interpretations)

– Therapeutic relationship central and discussed: • patient transfers feelings and attitudes from past relationships

onto the therapeutic one (transference)• therapist notes their feelings and attitudes towards the patient

(countertransference)

– Therapist is able to tolerate difficult emotions

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy 3

• Indications:– Evidence base relatively poor– Difficulties in relationships, low self esteem

– Patients who have some insight and motivation– Patients who understand the problem in

psychological terms (at least partly)– Patients able to cope with feelings evoked in

therapy (ego strength)– Patients with some capacity to form and maintain

relationships

Behavioural / Cognitive behavioural therapy (Beck)

• Practicalities: – Usually 10-20 sessions – Weekly, approx 1 hour

• Structure:– Structured– Collaborative, therapist guides discovery,

teaches skills

Behavioural / Cognitive behavioural therapy 2

• Key ideas:– Focuses on current problems – Behaviour therapy: reactions can be linked to stimuli

eg. phobias (classical conditioning, Pavlov), – Reinforcement/punishment of behaviours affects

their frequency (operant conditioning, Skinner) – Cognitive therapy: Thoughts, emotions, physical

symptoms and behaviours are linked, altering one will have a knock on effect on the others

– Past experiences lead to core beliefs and dysfuctional assumptions, which influence our thoughts and behaviour in the present

Behavioural / Cognitive behavioural therapy 3

• Interventions:– Behavioural interventions eg. Graded

exposure, ERP, activity scheduling, behavioural experiments

– Cognitive interventions eg. Evidence for and against thoughts, thinking biases, working on core beliefs and assumptions

• Indications:– Depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorders,

schizophrenia

Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)(Linehan)

• Practicalities / Structure: Approx 1year– Group skills training: approx 2.5 hours/week– Individual psychotherapy

• Key ideas: – Patients need new ways of solving problems– Validate patient’s thoughts, feelings and actions

• Interventions: – Core mindfulness skills– Interpersonal effectiveness skills– Emotion regulation skills– Distress tolerance skills– Look at applying skills and motivational issues in individual

therapy• Indications: – Borderline personality disorder

Cognitive analytic therapy (Ryle)

• Practicalities: Usually16 or 24 sessions• Structure: Some structure, reformulation diagram central• Key ideas: – Identifies reciprocal roles– Identifies procedural loops– Patient actively involved in the process

• Interventions: – Reformulation letter– Techniques from dynamic and cognitive behavioural

therapy• Indications: – Small evidence base– Borderline personality disorder, eating disorders

Procedural loop in CAT

Courtesy Wikipedia 2014

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)(Klerman & Weissman)

• Practicalities: 12-20 sessions• Structure: • 1st phase: information gathering, psychoeducation,

interpersonal inventory and chart, select a focus• 2nd phase: Active work on role transition, role

conflict, grief or interpersonal deficits• 3rd phase: Relapse prevention, grief over ending,

transition to independence• Key ideas: Interpersonal problems are central to

many psychiatric problems• Interventions: • Link symptom change to interpersonal events• Experiment with new interpersonal strategies

• Indications: depression,

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (Shapiro)

• Practicalities: Usually about 3-12 sessions• Structure: Set phases to work through• Key ideas: Eye movement enhances the processing of

traumatic memories by • increases interaction of 2 brain hemispheres • or/ activates a state similar to REM sleep • or/ keeps some focus on current reality • or/ not an active component

• Interventions: – Self-soothing techniques in preparatory phase eg. safe

place image or memory– Bilateral stimulation eg. moving eyes back and forth

inducing saccadic eye movement– Attending to a disturbing memory briefly (15-30 secs)– Linking a positive thought to the image

• Indications: PTSD

Motivational interviewing (Miller, Rollnick)

• Practicalities: 1:1• Key ideas: Client-centred but semi-directive– Confrontation and persuasion increase resistance– Reluctance seen as natural and not a client trait– Increases self-efficacy and explore ambivalence

• Interventions: • Empathy, rolls with resistance, affirmation• Reflective listening with focus on change talk – Explores discrepancy between now & future goals

• Indications: • Eliciting behavioural change • Especially drug and alcohol problems• Stages of change: precontemplation or

contemplation stages

Family therapy• Practicalities: (Extended or nuclear) family group• May use a 2 way mirror, with a reflecting team

• Key ideas: Problems are generated by malfunction of the family system, not one individual• Focuses on patterns of relationships , not causes or diagnoses• Focuses on what goes on between persons rather within a person

• SYSTEMIC (MILAN SCHOOL)• Symptoms have a function & stabilise the system• Circular and reflexive questioning• Focuses on belief systems• Difficulties not with individual, but with family system

• STRATEGIC (HALEY)• Patterns of interactions between family members• Solutions often perpetuate problems• Relabel symptoms as helpful• Prescribe symptoms

Family Therapy 2• STRUCTURAL (MINUCHIN)• Looks at family rules, coalitions, boundaries and power hierarchies• “Normative” family structure: hierarchy between generations, semi-

permeable boundaries• Position family members or make some observers to disrupt

dysfunctional relationships• Challenges rigid or absent boundaries

• OTHER MODALITIES: problem solving approaches, dynamic methods, cognitive behavioural, trans generational therapy

• Indications: Child and adolescent mental health problems, eating disorders, schizophrenia, marital problems

Group TherapyPratt, Burrow Schilder

• MANY MODALITIES– Psychoeducation groups– CBT based groups– 12 step groups eg. Alcoholics anonymous– Self-help groups– Non verbal expressive groups (art, music etc)– Psychodrama (Moreno)

• PSYCHODYNAMIC GROUPS• Group used to develop and explore interpersonal

relationships• Bion: Basic assumptions in groups • Dependence: on therapist to solve problems• Pairing: hoping for a pairing to solve group problems• Fight-flight: retreating or battling with others

Therapeutic factors in Groups (Yalom) • Instillation of hope: inspiration from others

recovering• Universality: shared experiences• Imparting of information• Interpersonal learning: feedback from others

increases self-awareness• Altruism: helping others increases self-esteem• Corrective recapitulation of the family group:

transference from family experience to therapy group• Development of socialising techniques

THERAPEUTIC FACTORS IN GROUPS (YALOM) cont

• Imitative behaviour: learning through modelling eg. sharing emotions, showing concern

• Group cohesiveness: acceptance and validation (suggested as the primary therapeutic factor in group therapy)

• Catharsis: relief through expression of emotion.• Existential factors: Learning the need to take

responsibility for one's own life and decisions• Self-understanding: causes of own problems and

motivations behind own behavior.

THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES (Maxwell-Jones, Foulkes)

• Usually residential (therapist and patients)• Increasingly now supported heavily with day units• Group psychotherapy and practical activities• Moderate to severe personality disorder, complex

emotional and interpersonal problems• Emerging funding constraints threatening the core

implementation of TC, and forcing some to close

• 4 PRINCIPLES IN TC TREATMENT (RAPAPORT)– Permissiveness: tolerance of behaviour– Reality-confrontation: feedback from others– Democracy: shared decision-making– Communalism: close, shared living

Depression 1• Therapy efficacy 50-60%, group & individual similar • Relapse 50% over 1 year, less with booster sessions• Approximately equivalent to medication, • Medication may be more effective in the severely depressed

• NICE SUGGESTS:• Mild: guided self help, computerised/brief CBT, counselling

• Moderate / severe: antidepressant priority

– Consider therapy if refuse antidepressant or poor response– Consider medication and CBT together in severe depression– CBT 1st choice of psychological intervention, 16-20 sessions– IPT if preferred by patient or clinically indicated– Couple focused therapy if individual ineffective– Mindfulness based CBT in recurrent depression

Bipolar affective disorderNICE suggests

• Moderate depression, not responding to medication:– Structured psychological therapy – Focus on depressive symptoms, problem solving, social

functioning, medication concordance• Ongoing mild-moderate affective symptoms:– Structured psychological therapy, 16+ sessions over 6-9

months– Focus on routine, concordance, psychoeducation,

monitoring mood, early warning symptoms, coping strategies

– Family focused intervention, over 6-9 months– Focus on psychoeducation, improving communication,

problem solving

Anxiety disorders 1

• CBT recommended for all• Panic disorder/agoraphobia (7-14 sessions):– Agoraphobia needs exposure

• Generalised anxiety disorder (16-20 sessions):– Cognitive methods and applied relaxation have evidence

• Obsessive compulsive disorder: ERP– Stepped approach based on functional impairment– Less effective without compulsions, hoarding

• Social anxiety disorder:– Thoughts, safety behaviours, attentional processing– Group and individual therapy similar efficacy

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),NICE suggests

• Psychological debriefing may be harmful• Trauma focused CBT • EMDR (Eye movement desensitisation and

reprocessing): 3 months or more after event• Needs to include exposure• Usually 8-12 sessions• 90 minute sessions when trauma discussed

Anorexia nervosa, NICE suggests

• CBT, 16-20 sessions• If ineffective or declined IPT (takes longer to

achieve results)

BULIMIA NERVOSA, NICE SUGGESTS

• Adults: Focal dynamic psychotherapy, CAT, CBT, IPTFamily interventions focused on eating problems,6 months or more of therapy

• Children / adolescents:Family interventions focused on eating problemsIndividual appointments for the young person

Borderline personality disorder• Evidence for dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) – focuses on behaviours esp. impulsivity and

suicidality• Evidence for structured psychodynamic

approach, including group treatment: – may have more impact on mood and interpersonal

functioning• CAT, Schema-focused CBT need more research• NICE suggests: – explicit, integrated theoretical approach– Same approach team and therapist– Up to 2x/week, not usually less than 3 months

Schizophrenia, NICE SUGGESTS• CBT (16+ sessions) for all patients, NICE suggests• Evidence for CBT:– In acute episodes may shorten episodes & reduce symptoms– In chronic patients improves mental state– Doesn’t alter relapse or readmission rates– Possible adverse impacts in vulnerable individuals

• Family interventions (10+ sessions) when close contact with family, NICE suggests

– Include problem solving or crisis management work– Evidence suggests CBT based sessions• Art therapies recommended for consideration by NICE– Especially if negative symptoms

MCQ 1

• An otherwise fit and intelligent 23 year old man has features of a moderate depressive illness. The correct initial treatment according to NICE is: A. CBT B. SSRI C. CBT + SSRI D. TCA

MCQ 3• Which of the following is true regarding CBT:

A: CBT has been shown to be as effective as treatment with antidepressants in depression of moderate severity.B: CBT is the preferred treatment for borderline personality disorderC: CBT is the only psychological intervention recommended by NICE for anorexia nervosaD: Antidepressants should be used before CBT in the treatment of PTSDE: CBT is not effective in social phobia

MCQ 4• Which of the following is correct:

A: Psychodynamic therapy is effective in schizophreniaB: Individual therapy is usually more effective than group therapyC: Cognitive therapy is effective for agoraphobiaD: There is evidence for cognitive analytic therapy in anorexia nervosaE: Unstructured psychotherapy is recommended in bipolar affective disorder

MCQ 5

• Which of the following is true regarding CBT:A: Incorrect theory of mind is part of the CBT modelB: Underlying assumptions are process that belong to the dynamic unconsciousnessC: CBT is non-directiveD: In exposure and response prevention obsessions are resistedE: Behavioural experiments are used to test out negative cognitions

EMQ 1 A: Mindfulness CBT

B: Exposure and response preventionC: Graded ExposureD: Schema focused CBTE: Activity schedulingF: Functional analysisG: Trauma focused CBT

• Identify the most appropriate technique / approach from those listed for each of the scenarios below:1: A 25 year old woman with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder2: A 42 year old man with severe depression who lacks motivation and has poor concentration3: A 33 year old man with a recurrent depressive illness who has experienced a relapse despite antidepressant medication and tends to ruminate about his problems4: An 8 year old girl with a phobia of vomiting who is avoiding many things which she associates with a risk of vomiting

EMQ 2• A: Ryle

B: BeckC: LinehanD: KleinE: Wolpe

• Which of the people above is associated with each of the therapies or interventions listed:1: Psychodynamic psychotherapy2: Cognitive analytic therapy3: Dialectical behavioural therapy4: Cognitive behavioural therapy

EMI 3Types of family therapy

A: Cognitive E: Solution focusedB: Dialectical F: StructuralC: Dynamic G: EclecticD: Strategic H: Systemic

Select which type of therapy is described in each scenario below:1. The therapist is identifying, ascertaining and developing a firm

family hierarchy2. An emotionally intertwined family of an adolescent with

anorexia nervosa need the forces and beliefs which influence their behaviour towards each other to be revealed

3. A family are helped with a novel practical strategy to break the negative cycles of behaviour identified in therapy. The therapist views the problems as dysfunctional communication.

EMQ 4• A: Thinking biases

B: TransferenceC: Reciprocal rolesD: MindfulnessE: Dysfunctional assumptionsF: Circular questioningG: Interpersonal role disputes

• Which of the above features or concepts is associated with the therapy below:1: Cognitive analytic therapy2: Dialectical behavioural therapy3: Psychodynamic psychotherapy

EMI 5

• Psychological treatment in group settings:A. Cohesiveness F. Dependence B. Vicarious learning G. Fight-flightC. Counter-dependence H. Pairing D. Free floating discussion I. UniversalityE. Interpreting transference J. Conditioning

From the options above, Choose1. Two curative factors in group therapy. 2. Three factors that hinder working in groups.3. Two factors that are found in psychodynamic groups.

EMQ 6• A: Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing

B: Brief psychodynamic psychotherapyC: Interpersonal therapyD: Cognitive behavioural therapy with exposure and response preventionE: Family interventions

• Which of therapies above is recommended by NICE for the disorder below:1: Depression2: Schizophrenia3: Post-traumatic stress disorder4: Obsessive compulsive disorder

ST1-3 Psychotherapy requirements• CBD group: 30 sessions• Psychotherapy cases: 2 of different

modalities and durationsYear Psychotherapy

Experience WPBA

End CT1

Attended first 6 months of a case based discussion group

1st (6 month) CBD

End CT2

Finish 12 months of case discussion group

Short case completed orHalf-way through a long case

2 CBD sheets (6 & 12 months)

1 set of SAPEs for short case or half-way SAPE for a long case

End CT3

2 cases completed 2 sets of SAPEs

Psychotherapy ACE

Thanks For Listening