week 5 - clinical/counselling psychology

define clinical psychology

research/teaching/services which alleviate mental illness and treat patients to improve their outcomes

define psychiatry

practitioners provide psychotherapy and medication to treat psychological disorders

medical discipline focussing on biological causes of psychiatric disorders

what do clinical psychologists provide to their clients?

therapy/coping strategies/behaviour modification depending on theoretical orientation of practitioner

non medical interventions only - cannot prescribe medication

define counselling psychology

works with individuals around relationships/problem solving/academic issues

very little treatment going on - client explores their own problems and finds ways on their own to live more satisfyingly

can deal with relatively everyday situations which cause stress

what support can “models” provide to practitioners?

offer framework for understanding distress so that effort/resources can be directed at prevention and treatment

which model does psychiatry tend towards?

medical model

which model does clinical psychology tend towards?

biopsychosocial model/family of models

what does the medical model suggest about illness, treatment and diagnosis?

illness caused by genetic predispositions/chemical imbalances/structural brain abnormalities

treatment is usually medication

what does the biopsychosocial model suggest about illness, treatment and diagnosis?

aims at the formulation of mental disorders

multiple interacting influences on mental health and illness

some of these are modifiable through intervention

treatments may correlate with these causes

define the power threat meaning framework

alternative to traditional psychiatric categories

integrates consideration of power/adversity/strength as influences on a person’s wellbeing

power threat meaning interpretation: what has happened to you?

how is power operating in your life?

power threat meaning interpretation: how did your life events affect you?

what threats does the power operating in your life pose?

what role do those specialising in psychology with long term health conditions hold?

increase patient’s quality of life

treat psychological distress

use psychological interventions to encourage greater adherance to medication and treatment to improve outcomes

reduce costs to the nhs

what is the role of shame in mental disorders?

shame is central to many mental disorders

fighting with condition using self criticism

stigma - i’m not sick enough

putting responsibility for condition on shame - karma, laziness etc

how does act therapy counteract shame in mental disorders?

acceptance and commitment therapy develops compassion and acceptance to improve psychological wellbeing