chapter 17: therapy overview of modern therapy. psychoanalysis assumptions: – psychological...
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Chapter 17: Therapy
Overview of Modern Therapy
Psychoanalysis
Assumptions:– Psychological problems are fueled by
repressed impulses and conflicts– Analysis brings these thoughts to the
surface which relieves the sufferer of anxiety
Psychoanalysis
Methods:– Historical reconstruction
Unearth the cause of conflict by reconstructing the past
– Free association Say whatever comes to mind on a given topic Therapist looks for “resistance” in the form of hesitation,
jokes, self-editing, or embarrassment Therapist interprets the underlying meaning of the
resistance
– Transference Directing your hidden feelings and wishes towards your
therapist
Psychoanalysis
Criticisms:– Based on the assumption that
repressed memories exist– Interpretations are hard to refute– Takes a lot of time and money
Psychodynamic therapy
Less time and money than traditional psychoanalysis
Focuses more on the present while giving attention to the past
Humanistic Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Assumptions:– People have an inherent potential for
self-fulfillment– Helping people grow in self-
awareness is the key to mental health
Humanistic Therapy
Differs from psychoanalysis by focusing on– The present and the future more than the past– Conscious rather than unconscious thoughts– Taking immediate responsibility for one’s feelings
and actions– Promoting growth instead of curing illness
Humanistic Therapy
Methods:– Client Centered Therapy
Non-directiveGenuineness, acceptance, empathyActive listening
Humanistic Therapy
Criticisms:– One cannot be totally nondirective– Overly optimistic about human nature– Cannot help in severe cases
Cognitive Therapy
Assumptions:– Thinking greatly colors feelings and
actions
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. Viktor E. Frankl
Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. Viktor E. Frankl
Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive-behavior interatction
Belief: “I’m not a good test taker”
Action: Anxiety-induced poor test performance
CausesReinforces
Cognitive Therapy
Methods:– Rational-emotive therapy
Works to uncover irrationalities in thought
– Cognitive-behavior therapyAddresses destructive cycle
of thoughts and actions
Cognitive Therapy
Criticisms:– Not effective for severe cases– Lack of patient buy-in could cause
progress to fail after therapy
Behavior Therapies
Assumptions:– The behavior is the problem– Doubt the healing power of self-
awareness
Behavior Therapies
Methods:– Classical Conditioning
Systematic desensitizationAversive conditioning
– Operant ConditioningToken economy
Behavior Therapies
Criticisms:– Does not get to the root of
the problem– “Cure” only effective during
treatment, when reinforcement stops so will appropriate behavior
– Ethical concerns of behavior modification?
Psychotherapies provide:
Hope for demoralized peopleA new perspectiveAn empathetic, trusting, caring
relationship
Do psychotherapies work?
Research is split but tends to indicate that therapy is generally better than no treatment
Different therapies are better for different problems
Don’t discount the power of suggestion