PSYCH UNIT 5.5

Free Association

A psychodynamic technique where clients say whatever comes to mind to uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Dream Interpretation

Analyzing dreams to reveal unconscious desires or conflicts, used in psychodynamic therapy.

Unconscious Mind

Part of the mind that holds hidden memories, desires, and fears, influencing thoughts and behaviors without awareness.

Resistance

When a client avoids certain topics or feelings during therapy, seen as a defense against confronting painful emotions.

Transference

When a client projects feelings for someone else onto the therapist, helping explore unresolved relationships or emotions.

Cognitive Therapies

Focus on identifying and changing negative thought patterns to reduce emotional distress and improve behavior.

Cognitive Restructuring

Replacing distorted or irrational thoughts with more balanced ones, a core technique in cognitive therapy.

Fear Hierarchies

A list of feared situations ranked from least to most scary, used in exposure therapy to gradually face fears.

Cognitive Triad

A model by Beck involving negative thoughts about self, world, and future, linked to depression.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

Uses reinforcement strategies to improve specific behaviors, often used with autism spectrum disorder.

Counterconditioning

Pairs a feared stimulus with a new, relaxing response to help unlearn phobias or anxieties.

Biofeedback

Teaches control over physical functions through monitoring devices, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Systematic Desensitization

Combines relaxation techniques with gradual exposure to anxiety triggers to reduce phobias and fears.

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Uses VR to simulate anxiety-provoking situations safely, helping treat PTSD, phobias, and social anxiety.

Aversive Conditioning

Pairs unwanted behaviors with unpleasant stimuli to reduce habits like smoking or drinking.

Token Economy

A behavioral system where tokens are earned for positive behaviors and exchanged for rewards, common in schools.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Combines cognitive and behavioral techniques to change thoughts and behaviors; effective for depression and anxiety.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

A form of CBT focused on emotion regulation and distress tolerance, often used for borderline personality disorder.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

Focuses on identifying and disputing irrational beliefs, created by Albert Ellis.

Humanist Approach to Therapy

Emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and self-awareness, focusing on the present and the client's perspective.

Insight Therapies

a form of psychotherapy (or talk therapy) that focuses on helping the patient connect past behaviors with present behaviors

Person-Centered Therapy

The humanistic approach to therapy is a non-directive form of talk therapy that emphasizes the client's autonomy and capacity for self-determination, empowering them to take ownership of their mental well-being.

Active Listening

Therapist reflects and paraphrases what the client says to show understanding and build connection.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting and supporting the client without conditions or judgment, encouraging self-worth and growth.

Group Therapy

Involves multiple clients sharing and supporting each other, encouraging social connection and shared healing.

Hypnosis

A focused state of attention used to increase suggestibility, sometimes used for pain, anxiety, or memory recovery.

Dissociation

A mental process where a person disconnects from thoughts, feelings, or identity, can occur in trauma or dissociative disorders.

Lithium

A mood stabilizer used mainly for bipolar disorder to reduce mania and stabilize mood swings.

Antidepressants

Medications that increase neurotransmitters like serotonin to treat depression, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and others.

Anxiety Disorders

Conditions involving excessive fear or worry, including GAD, panic disorder, phobias, and OCD.

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

Uses magnetic fields to stimulate brain regions and reduce depression; non-invasive and safe.

ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)

Induces brief seizures to treat severe depression and bipolar disorder, effective when other treatments fail.

Lobotomy

Outdated surgery that cut brain connections to reduce severe mental symptoms; caused serious side effects.

Antipsychotic Medication

Used to treat psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions by blocking dopamine receptors.

Psychoactive Medication

Drugs that affect brain chemistry and alter mood, thoughts, or behavior, including antidepressants and anxiolytics.

Tardive Dyskinesia

A side effect of long-term antipsychotic use causing involuntary facial and body movements.

Psychosurgery

Surgical intervention on the brain to treat severe mental disorders, rarely used today and only as a last resort.