Psychotherapy - Exam 1

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the psychotherapy lecture series, including foundational theories, practices, and ethical considerations in psychological treatment.

Psychotherapy

A treatment of mental disorders by psychological means.

Psychological science

The systematic study of behavior and mental processes.

Psychometric tradition

A field focused on measuring psychological traits and abilities.

FW Bessel

A scientist who contributed to the study of individual differences in reaction time.

Phrenology

The pseudoscience that correlates skull shape with personality traits.

Franz Gall

The founder of phrenology who proposed that different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions.

Sir Francis Galton

Darwin's cousin who studied individual differences in mental ability.

James McKeen Cattell

Pioneered the study of individual differences in psychology.

Stanford-Binet intelligence test

A widely used assessment tool for measuring intelligence.

Clinical tradition

An approach focused on understanding and treating psychological disorders.

Demonological explanations

Viewpoints that attribute mental illness to demonic possession.

Trephining

An ancient surgical procedure to release 'demons' from the skull.

Hippocrates

An ancient Greek physician who proposed the theory of the four humors.

Blood, phlegm, choler, melancholy

The four humors that Hippocrates believed influenced personality and health.

Phillipe Pinel

A pioneer in humane treatment of the mentally ill in France.

Benjamin Rush

The father of American psychiatry who advocated for humane treatment methods.

William Tuke

The father of British psychiatry known for improving conditions for the mentally ill.

Dorothea Dix

An advocate for improved conditions for the mentally ill in the USA.

General paresis

A severe mental disorder linked to syphilis.

Emil Kraepelin

Developed the first systematic classification of mental disorders.

Psychodynamic theory

A theory that emphasizes the psychological roots of emotional suffering.

Psychotherapy

A therapeutic intervention designed to help individuals address emotional challenges.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder, often resulting from traumatic events.

1946 VA initiative

A program to provide mental health training for psychologists.

1963 Community Mental Health Act

Legislation aimed at establishing local mental health centers.

American Psychological Association (APA)

A professional organization representing psychologists in the USA.

Boulder Conference

A meeting that established the scientist-practitioner model for psychology.

Commission on Accreditation

An APA body responsible for establishing training standards.

PsyD

Doctor of Psychology, a degree emphasizing clinical training.

Clinical scientist model

An approach that prioritizes scientific rigor in clinical psychology.

eHealth

The use of digital technology to provide health services.

mHealth

Mobile health applications for monitoring and managing health.

Group therapy

A form of psychotherapy in which multiple clients meet together.

Universalism in therapy

The idea that shared experiences can alleviate feelings of isolation.

Altruism in therapy

The benefit experienced by those who help others in group settings.

Therapeutic alliance

The bond between therapist and client that aids in treatment.

Countertransference

Therapist's emotional reactions to a client's experiences.

Nondirected supportive psychotherapy

Therapy focused on providing emotional support without specific techniques.

Empirically supported treatments (EST)

Treatments backed by rigorous scientific research.

Randomized control trials (RCTs)

A study design used to test the effectiveness of treatments.

Clinical significance

The practical importance of treatment effects in real-world settings.

Statistical significance

The likelihood that results are not due to chance.

Durability of benefits

The long-term effectiveness of a treatment.

Ethical principles

Guidelines that govern moral conduct in research and practice.

Informed consent

A process ensuring participants understand the nature of their involvement.

Maleficence

The principle of avoiding harm to others.

Fidelity

Maintaining trust by being accountable and responsible.

Justice

Ensuring fairness in treatment and access to services.

Multicultural competence

The ability to work effectively with diverse populations.

Cultural sensitivity

Awareness and respect for cultural differences in therapy.

Confidentiality

The ethical obligation to protect client information.

Dual relationship

A situation where a therapist has multiple roles with a client.

Continuing education

Ongoing learning required to maintain professional competence.

Case study

An in-depth analysis of a person or situation to explore complex issues.

Bias in clinical judgment

The tendency for subjective views to influence clinical decisions.

Deception in research

Misleading participants to study their responses under certain conditions.

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)

A rapid intervention aimed at preventing PTSD after traumatic events.

Milgram Experiment

A study on obedience that raised ethical concerns regarding participant harm.

Animal research ethics

Guidelines governing the ethical treatment of animals in research.

Belmont Report

A foundational document outlining ethical principles for human subjects.

Psychiatric revolution

A transformative period leading to modern mental health practices.

Assessment procedures

Methods used to evaluate individuals' psychological functioning.

Referral question

The specific inquiry guiding an assessment process.

Therapeutic homework

Activities assigned to clients to improve treatment outcomes.

Therapeutic rupture

A disruption in the therapeutic alliance requiring repair.

Psychotherapy efficacy

The effectiveness of therapy in achieving desired outcomes.

Evidence-based practice

Integrating clinical expertise with the best available evidence.

Treatment gap

The disparity between the number of individuals needing care and services available.

Digital distractions

External factors that can interfere during teletherapy sessions.

Crisis management

Interventions aimed at preventing immediate harm or distress.

Client autonomy

The right of clients to make informed choices about their treatment.

Motivational interviewing

A counseling approach focused on enhancing client motivation.

Therapist self-reflection

The process of therapists examining their own biases and reactions.

Cultural stereotypes in therapy

Preconceived notions affecting interactions between therapist and client.

Vulnerability in research

Ethical considerations for individuals at risk during studies.

Health disparity

Inequities in health status among different populations.

Behavioral activation

A therapeutic approach focusing on increasing engagement in meaningful activities.

Transference

The projection of feelings and attitudes from one person to another in therapy.

Hypothesis testing

Evaluating a prediction about a relationship between variables.

Cognitive restructuring

A technique aimed at changing negative thought patterns.

Neuroscience

The study of the brain and its impact on behavior and cognition.

Personal history in therapy

Understanding how a therapist's experiences affect their clinical practice.

Reflective listening

An active listening technique that involves mirroring back what the client says.

Registered Psychologist

A professional who has met certification requirements set by governing bodies.

Outcome monitoring

The process of tracking client progress throughout therapy.

Neuroethics

The ethical implications of neuroscience research.

Feedback-informed treatment

Using client feedback to adjust therapeutic approaches.

Longitudinal studies

Research observing the same subjects over time to detect changes.

Clinical audit

A systematic review of care to evaluate progress and effectiveness.

Therapeutic techniques

Specific methods employed during therapy to facilitate change.

Public health initiatives

Programs aimed at improving health and well-being within populations.

Crisis stabilization

Immediate interventions to manage acute mental health crises.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A widely used evidence-based therapy focusing on changing thought patterns.

Evidence-based interventions

Treatments supported by scientific research.

Cognitive distortions

Faulty thought patterns that can contribute to emotional distress.

Progress notes

Documentation of client sessions and therapeutic progress.

Psychological assessments

Standardized tools used to measure psychological functioning.

Managed care

A system of health care that controls costs by overseeing patient management.

Referral patterns

Common pathways through which clients access mental health services.

Mental health advocacy

Efforts to promote awareness and better services for mental health.