psychological therapies

ap psych

free association (psychodynamic)

the patient says whatever comes to mind without censorship, allowing unconscious thoughts and feelings to surface

dream interpretation (psychodynamic)

method of analyzing dreams to reveal unconscious desires and conflicts

manifest content

the literal, remembered storyline and images of a dream

latent content

the hidden, symbolic meaning of the dream that represents unconscious wishes or fears

transference (psychodynamic)

when a patient redirects feelings and expectations originally associated w/ significant figures in their life (such as parents) onto the therapist

catharsis (psychodynamic)

the release of unconscious emotional tension by bringing repressed feelings into conscious awareness, often leading to emotional relief

resistance (psychodynamic)

the patient’s unconscious tendency to avoid discussing or confronting anxiety provoking thoughts, memories, or feeling during therapy

freudian slips/parapraxes (psychodynamic)

unintentional errors in speech or behavior that reveal unconscious thoughts, wishes, or conflicts (can be sexual, says sex instead of 6)

hypnosis (psychodynamic)

a technique in which a therapist suggests heightened focus and relaxation to help a patient access unconscious material or increase suggestability

difference between psychodynamic therapy and psychoanalsis

psychodynamic therapy is a modern, shortened version of psychoanalysis

cognitive restructuring (cognitive)

restructuring how you think; a core technique that helps clients identify, challenge, and replace irrational or maladaptive thoughts w/ more realistic and adaptive ones

beck’s cognitive triad therapy (cognitive)

developed by aaron beck, this therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns that contribute to depression

cognitive triad (beck’s cognitive triad therapy)

1. negative views of self

2. negative views of the world

3. negative views of the future

ellis and rational emotive therapy (cognitive)

developed by albert ellis; challenges irrational beliefs and replaces them w/ rational ones; focuses on “musts”, “shoulds”, and “oughts”, and uses the ABC model: A- activating event, B-belief, C-consequence (emotional/behavioral outcome)

rebt (cognitive)

adds behavioral component to rational emotive therapy

anti-depressants (somatic)

used primarily to treat depression and anxiety disorders

MAOIs (somatic)

an anti-depressant that increases levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, but requires strong dietary restrictions and often has side effects ex. Nardil, Parnate

SSRIs (somatic)

an anti-depressant that increases serotonin availability by blocking reuptake(makes sure all serotonin us used before being absorbed by the body and gone), and has fewer side effects than older antidepressants ex. Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro

non-SSRIs (somatic)

an anti-depressant that affects serotonin and/or norepinephrine/inhibits reuptake of all neurotransmitters; used after nothing else works ex. Effexor, Wellbutrin

stimulants (somatic)

used primarily to treat ADHD/narcolepsy by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine; stimulates motivational centers in brain, and reduces activity in brain and spine ex. meth, amphetamine (adderall)

anti-anxiety, tranquilizers, anxiolytics (somatic)

reduces anxiety by depressing central nervous system activity (often enhances GABA); can be addictive ex. xanax, valium, benzos (quick relief), buspar (lasts longer)

anti-psychotics, neuroleptics (somatic)

used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders by reducing dopamine activity ex. clorazol (side effects: tardive dyskinesia)

electroconvulsive therapy (somatic)

shock therapy; a biomedical therapy in which controlled electrical currents induce a brief seizure to treat severe depression, especially when other treatments fail; zaps out the depressive thoughts in neurons; brain is adaptive, so needed around every 6 months; used to be used as punishment

lobotomy (somatic)

severing connections in the prefrontal cortex; largely discontinued due to severe side effects; used to be used as punishment

repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; rTMS (somatic)

a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions involved in mood regulation, often used for treatment-resistant depression; very new, with sensor to your head, pulse magnetics to your head; alters the way your brain fires, helping w/ depression

biofeedback (behavioral)

machine, technique that teaches individuals to control involuntary physiological processes (heart rate, muscle tension, blood pressure) using real-time feedback

modeling (behavioral)

a form of observational learning in which clients learn new behaviors by watching and imitating others

shaping (behavioral)

technique that uses reinforcement of successive approximations to gradually train a desired behavior ex. reinforcing small steps toward public speaking

systematic desensitization and the anxiety hierarchy (behavioral)

a gradual exposure therapy that pairs relaxation w/ increasing anxiety-provoking stimuli; uses an anxiety hierarchy

flooding (behavioral)

an exposure therapy in which the client is immediately exposed to the most anxiety-provoking stimulus, preventing escape until anxiety decreases

aversion therapy (behavioral)

a therapy that pairs an unpleasant stimulus w/ an undesirable behavior to reduce that behavior; commonly used for substance abuse or harmful habits; ex. pairing nausea w/ alcohol consumption

behavior modification, reinforcement techniques (behavioral)

the systematic application of reinforcement (usually positive) OR punishment to increase desirable behaviors and decrease undesirable ones

token economy and secondary reinforcement (behavioral)

based on operant and conditioning in which individuals earn tokens (secondary reinforcers) for desired behaviors, which can be later exchanged for primary reinforcers or rewards; tokens have no inherent value, but their power comes from secondary reinforcement; commonly used in schools, hospitals, and institutions

self-actualization (humanistic)

the innate human drive to achieve one’s full potential and become the best version of oneself; characteristics include being self-aware and realistic, accepting of self and others, independent, open to new experiences, focused on personal growth, spontaneous, humorous, and has purpose (Maslow)

empathy (humanistic)

the therapist’s ability to understand and share the client’s feelings from the client’s point of view

unconditional positive regard (humanistic)

the therapist’s complete acceptance and support of the client, regardless of what the client says or does

active listening (humanistic)

the therapist listens attentively and paraphrases, clarifies, and reflects the client’s statements to show understanding and empathy

real self v. ideal self discussion (humanistic)

real self: who a person actually is, ideal self: who a person wants to be; psychological distress occurs when there is incongruence between the real self and ideal self, and therapy aims to reduce this gap

non-directive therapy (humanistic)

approach in which the therapist does not guide or interpret, allowing the client to lead the disucssion and discover solutions independently

gestalt therapy- fritz perls (humanistic)

emphasizes personal responsibility, self-awareness, and living in the present moment (“here and now”); encourages clients to confront emotions directly; focuses on current experiences, not the past; uses experimental techniques (ex. role-playing, empty chair)