PSYU2222 Lecture 5: Pt. 2 Psychotherapeutic Interventions

What are emotions (Longe, 2016)?

Instinctive and intuitive physiological and psychological reactions to stimuli like events or perceptions.

Why are emotions important? (Gross, 1998b)

• Drive behavioural, experiential, autonomic, and neuroendocrine responses.

• Promote survival, communication, and decision-making.

What are the three primary purposes of emotions?

1. Survival – Signals threats/opportunities; motivates adaptive behaviour.

2. Social Cohesion – Fosters empathy, relationships, and shared experience.

3. Integration of Thinking & Feeling – Aids decision-making and complements rational thought.

List the 7 basic emotions and their adaptive functions.

• Happiness – Social bonding, motivation

• Sadness – Signals need for help, encourages reflection

• Anger – Enforces boundaries, initiates action

• Fear – Detects threat, activates protection

• Surprise – Focuses attention, rapid adaptation

• Disgust – Promotes avoidance of harmful substances/ideas

• Contempt – Regulates social behaviour, enforces norms

Are the 7 basic emotions universal?

Yes – cross-culturally recognised with unique facial expressions.

When do emotions become problematic?

• Interfere with daily life

• Are unmanageable

• Are maladaptively avoided

• Cause extreme/prolonged reactions

• Obstruct personal growth

What is EFiT?

EFiT stands for Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy. A neo-humanistic therapy focusing on emotion as the primary system driving perception and action.

Goals of EFiT (Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy) (Greenberg, 2017)?

• Increase emotional awareness

• Regulate and transform emotions

• Use emotions for personal growth

• Recognise maladaptive vs adaptive emotions

What are the four stages of EFiT (Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy)?

• Engagement & Assessment

• Emotional Awareness & Expression

• Regulation & Transformation

• Consolidation & Integration

Strengths of EFiT (Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy)?

• Holistic approach

• Effective for anxiety, depression, trauma

• Encourages self-acceptance

• Tailored to individual emotional needs

Limitations of EFiT (Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy)?

• Time-consuming

• Requires highly trained therapists

• Clients may resist deep emotion work

• Limited research in diverse populations

What is the core philosophy of SFBT (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy)?

• Focus on present and future solutions, not past problems

• Emphasises client autonomy and strengths

• Change is possible and often already happening in small ways

When is SFBT typically used (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy)?

• School settings

• Early intervention

• Brief counselling contexts (~6 sessions)

What are the four core principles of SFBT (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy)?

• Empathy & Rapport

• Rolling with Resistance (embrace ambivalence)

• Developing Discrepancy (values vs. behaviour)

• Supporting Self-Efficacy (empowering clients)

What is the Grant (2022) SFBT Process Model (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy)?

• Change Talk – Discussing desire/need for change

• Solution Talk – Identifying preferred outcomes

• Strategy Talk – Developing action plans

What does OARS stand for in therapy?

• Open-ended questions

• Affirmations

• Reflection

• Summaries

What is “Change Talk”?

Client statements expressing interest or motivation for change.

DARN-CAT Framework for Change Talk?

• DARN: Desire, Ability, Reason, Need

• CAT: Commitment, Activation, Taking Steps

What are ‘coping’ questions used for?

To identify strengths and resilience (e.g., “How do you manage despite these difficulties?”)

What is Scaling in SFBT (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy)?

Clients rate their motivation or confidence (0–10), followed by reflection.

What is Solution Talk?

• Explore what a better future looks like

• Identify signs of progress

• Use miracle questions

What is the "Miracle Question"? (De Shazer)

“Imagine while you sleep, your problem disappears. What’s the first thing you’d notice?”

What is Strategy Talk?

• Creating achievable action steps

• Reinforcing strengths

• Clarifying goals (“Will this move you closer to your goal?”)

Strengths of SFBT (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy)?

• Brief and efficient

• Builds on strengths

• Effective for mild/moderate depression/anxiety

• Great for child behaviour problems when used early

Limitations of SFBT (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy)?

• Not suitable for psychosis or severe mental illness

• Requires active client dialogue

• Can frustrate clients focused on external limitations

• Therapists must fully embrace client-led approach

How is mental wellbeing defined in modern frameworks?

Not merely the absence of mental illness, but a proactive factor contributing to improved individual and public health.

What role does mental wellbeing play in health outcomes?

• Reduces risk of chronic physical and mental illnesses (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression).

• Promotes faster recovery and improved quality of life

Why is mental wellbeing important for prevention and recovery?

• It enhances psychological resilience and coping mechanisms.

• Acts as a buffer against stress and illness.

• Supports disease prevention and personal recovery strategies.

What is the relationship between mental health outcomes and wellbeing indicators?

• Higher wellbeing = lower psychological distress and illness

• Positive indicators: life satisfaction, emotional stability, resilience

How does the relationship between wellbeing and health function?

It is bidirectional – improved mental wellbeing promotes better physical health and vice versa.

How do modern frameworks differ from traditional mental health models?

• Traditional: Focus on symptom reduction.

• Modern: Emphasize wellbeing as central to health assessment.

What types of interventions have been shown to improve wellbeing?

• Psychological Interventions – CBT, mindfulness, positive psychology

• Social Interventions – Community/peer support programs

• Biological Interventions – Medication, lifestyle changes (e.g., exercise, diet)

• Workplace/Educational Programs – Mental health training, resilience workshops

What outcomes are linked to these interventions to improve wellbeing?

• Improved cognitive functioning

• Greater emotional stability

• Increased happiness and life satisfaction

• Enhanced productivity and reduced burnout

What effects do CBT, mindfulness, and positive psychology have?

• Better stress management

• Higher emotional resilience

• Increased self-efficacy

What benefits come from community and peer support?

• Reduced social isolation

• Enhanced sense of belonging

• Higher life satisfaction

How do biological interventions impact wellbeing?

• Improve mood and cognition

• Support regulation of emotional states through lifestyle change (e.g., exercise, diet)

What are key outcomes of workplace/educational mental health programs?

• Reduced burnout

• Improved productivity

• Better resilience in stressful environments

What future directions are proposed for improving mental wellbeing?

• Integration of psychological interventions into mainstream healthcare

• Use of personalised interventions based on individual needs

• Adoption of technology-driven tools like AI therapy and digital health apps

Why shift from medical to psychological interventions?

• Psychological interventions offer long-term benefits, not just symptom relief.

• Focus on building coping strategies and resilience for sustainable change.