Module 54: intro to therapy and the psychological therapies

Psychotherapy

Treatment involving psychological techniques through interactions between a trained therapist and an individual seeking to address psychological difficulties or achieve personal growth.

Biomedical Therapy

Treatment involving prescribed medication or procedures that directly act on the physiology.

Eclectic Approach

Psychotherapy approach that utilizes techniques from various forms of therapy.

Psychoanalysis

Freud's theory of personality attributing thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts, involving therapeutic techniques like free associations, resistances, and dream analysis.

Resistance

In psychoanalysis, the act of blocking unpleasant or anxiety-laden material from the conscious mind.

Interpretation

In psychoanalysis, the analysis and noting of dreams, resistances, and significant behaviors to promote insight and growth.

Transference

In psychoanalysis, the patient's transfer of emotions linked with other relationships onto the therapist.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Therapy derived from the analytic tradition that focuses on unconscious forces and childhood experiences to enhance self-insight.

Insight Therapies

Therapies aiming to improve psychological functioning by increasing awareness of underlying motives and defenses.

Person-Centered Therapy

Humanistic therapy by Carl Rogers where the client directs discussions, and the therapist uses active listening in an empathetic environment to facilitate growth.

Active Listening

Empathetic listening technique where the listener echoes, restates, and seeks clarification, used in person-centered therapy.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Carl Rogers' concept of a caring, accepting, non-judgmental attitude to help clients develop self-awareness and self-acceptance.

Behavior Therapy

Therapy using learning principles to reduce unwanted behaviors and increase desirable behaviors.

Counter Conditioning

Behavior therapy using classical conditioning to evoke new responses to stimuli triggering unwanted behaviors.

Exposure Therapies

Behavioral techniques treating anxieties by exposing individuals to feared situations they avoid.

Systematic Desensitization

Exposure therapy associating relaxation with gradually increasing anxiety triggers, often used for specific phobias.

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Counterconditioning technique treating anxiety through electronic simulations to face specific fears safely.

Aversive Conditioning

Associates an unpleasant state with an unwanted behavior to reduce the behavior, like associating nausea with drinking alcohol.

Token Economy

Operant conditioning procedure where tokens are given for desired behaviors and can be exchanged for privileges or rewards.

Cognitive Therapy

Therapy focusing on developing adaptive thinking patterns based on the idea that thoughts influence emotional reactions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Integrative therapy combining cognitive therapy to change thinking patterns with behavioral therapy to change behaviors.

Group Therapy

Therapy conducted with groups to provide benefits through group interaction.

Family Therapy

Therapy treating individuals within the context of their families, viewing unwanted behaviors as influenced by or directed at other family members.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Therapy helpful for individuals with suicidal tendencies, combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with acceptance strategies.