chapter 13 therapies

clinical psychology

area of psychology that integrates science and theory to prevent and treat psychological disorders

psychotherapy

A nonmedical process that helps individuals with psychological disorders recognize and overcome their problems

biological (or biomedical) therapies

treatments that reduce or eliminate the symptoms of psychological disorders by altering aspects of body functioning

sociocultural therapies

Treatments that acknowledge the relationships, roles, and cultural contexts that characterize an individual’s life, and bring them into the therapeutic context

evidence-based practice

decisions about treatment are made using the best available research and considering the therapist’s clinical judgement, along with client characteristics, culture, and preferences

therapeutic alliance

The relationship between the therapist and client

psychodynamic therapies

Treatments that stress the importance of the unconscious mind, extensive interpretation by the therapist, and the role of early childhood experiences in the development of an individual’s problems

psychoanalysis

Freud’s therapeutic technique for analyzing an individual’s unconscious thoughts

free association

A psychoanalytic technique that involves encouraging individuals to say aloud whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing

interpretation

A psychoanalyst’s search for symbolic, hidden meanings in what the client says and does during therapy

dream analysis

A psychoanalytic technique for interpreting a person’s dreams

transference

A client’s relating to the psychoanalyst in ways that reproduce or relive important relationships in the client’s life

humanistic therapies

Treatments that uniquely emphasize people’s self-healing capacities and that encourage clients to understand themselves and to grow personally

client-centered (or Rogerian or nondirective) therapy

a form of humanistic therapy, developed by Rogers, in which the therapist provides a warm, supportive atmosphere to improve the client’s self-concept and to encourage the client to gain insight into problems

reflective speech

A technique in which the therapist mirrors the client’s own feelings back to the client

behavior therapies

Treatments, based on behavioral and social cognitive theories, that use principles of learning to reduce or eliminate maladaptive behavior

cognitive therapies

Treatments emphasizing that cognitions (thoughts) are the main source of psychological problems; therapies that attempt to change the individual’s feelings and behaviors by changing cognitions

integrative therapy

Using a combination of techniques from different therapies based on the therapist’s judgment of which particular methods will provide the greatest benefit for the client

anti-anxiety drugs

known as tranquilizers, drugs that reduce anxiety by making individuals calmer and less excitable

anti-depressant drugs

Drugs that regulate mood

lithium

lightest of the solid elements in the periodic table, used to treat bipolar disorder

anti-psychotic drugs

drugs that diminish agitated behavior, reduce tension, decrease hallucinations, improve social behavior, and produce better sleep patterns

electroconvulsive (ECT) or shock therapy

a treatment, sometimes used for depression, that sets off a seizure in the brain

psychosurgery

involves removal or destruction of brain tissue to improve the individual’s adjustment

group therapy

A sociocultural approach to the treatment of psychological disorders that brings together individuals who share a disorder in sessions that are led by a mental health professional

family therapy

Group therapy with family members

cross-cultural competence

A therapist’s assessment of their abilities to manage cultural issues in therapy and the client’s perception of those abilities