Therapies for Psychological Disorders

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes covering various therapeutic approaches for psychological disorders.

Psychotherapy

A treatment method for psychological disorders through speaking with a trained therapist.

Biomedical therapy

Treatment for psychological disorders through medical methods, including medications and brain stimulation.

Psychoanalysis

A therapeutic approach aimed at bringing unconscious thoughts and feelings to the conscious mind.

Humanistic therapy

Therapy focusing on personal growth and self-actualization, emphasizing the present and future over the past.

Cognitive therapy

A therapy that challenges and changes unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors.

Behavior therapy

A treatment that applies learning principles to the elimination of unwanted behaviors.

Eclectic approach

A therapeutic approach that integrates techniques from different schools of therapy.

Free association

A psychoanalytic technique where patients speak freely to uncover unconscious thoughts.

Active listening

A communication technique used in therapy involving restating, echoing, and clarifying what a patient says.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A structured, goal-oriented therapy that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques.

Systematic desensitization

A behavior therapy technique used to reduce anxiety responses through gradual exposure to anxiety-producing stimuli.

Unconditional positive regard

An attitude of total acceptance toward another person often used in humanistic therapies.

Token economy

A behavioral technique where tokens are given for desired behaviors, which can be exchanged for rewards.

Antidepressant drugs

Medications used to treat depression; often SSRIs that increase serotonin levels in the brain.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

A biomedical treatment for severe depression or other mental disorders involving electrical stimulation of the brain.

Psychosurgery

Surgical procedures that aim to treat mental disorders by altering brain tissue.

Family therapy

Therapy that involves family members in sessions to improve communication and resolve conflicts.

Group therapy

A form of psychotherapy where a small group of people meet to discuss and share their experiences.