Psychotherapy PSYC321

The Therapeutic Relationship

This is critical when working in therapy and is establishes rapport, a relationship based on respect and empathy

A Therapist Needs to be Mindful of…

• Power dynamics

• Vulnerability of clients

• Yourself

• Accepting feedback

Clinical Assessments

A strategy used to identify and delineate the client’s difficulties that is primarily based on a clinical interview

What Happens During a Clinical Assessment?

• Validate client’s experiences

• Create therapeutic plan

• Identify mental/physical needs

• Psychometric measures

• Connection

• Talk to whānau

Assessment Process

• Welcome

• Opening

• Introductions

• Presenting issues

• Background

• Feedback

• Closing

Pre-contemplation

Stuckness

Contemplation

Admit a problem

Preparation

Intentions and behaviour aligned; begins to set goals

Action

Commit time and energy to behaviour change

Maintenance

Maintaining and continuing behavioural change for more than 6 months

Psychotherapy Outcomes are Predicted by:

• Therapist-related

• Client-related

• Therapeutic alliance

• Treatment

Psychotherapy Effectiveness

Therapy is shown to be more effective at reducing emotional disorders than no therapy which applies to adults, adolescents and children

Methods of Controls

• No treatment

• Waitlist

• Attention-placebo

• Standard treatment/routine care

Cognitive Principle of CBT

Our emotions/behaviour are strongly influenced by our thoughts, beliefs and interpretations

Behavioural Principle of CBT

Our behaviour impacts on emotions

CBT

A therapeutic technique that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, physiology and behaviours

Automatic Thoughts

Thoughts that are easy to accept as the truth

Core Beliefs

Beliefs that are taken as absolute truths, a product of life experience, can be functional or dysfunctional

Formulation of CBT

• Conceptualisation of issues

• Goal

• Primary focus of current issues

Conceptualisation Factors

• Predisposing

• Precipitating

• Perpetuating

• Protective

• Mechanisms

CBT Goals

• Prepare for termination

• Relapse prevention

• Provide tools for future