Psychological Treatments and Ethical Principles: Therapy Techniques & Medications

Evidence-based interventions

Treatments and therapies that are supported by empirical research and proven to be effective.

Cultural humility

A therapeutic approach emphasizing self-awareness of biases and a commitment to respecting and understanding clients' cultural backgrounds.

Therapeutic alliance

The collaborative and trusting relationship between therapist and client, critical for effective therapy.

Psychotropic medication

Drugs that affect mood, perception, or behavior by altering brain chemistry.

Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle of avoiding harm to clients in psychological practice.

Fidelity

The ethical obligation to be loyal, trustworthy, and honest in professional relationships.

Integrity

The practice of honesty and adhering to moral and ethical principles in psychology.

Respect for people's rights and dignity

An ethical standard emphasizing respect for individual differences and the rights of clients to privacy and autonomy.

Psychodynamic therapies

Therapeutic approaches that explore unconscious processes and past experiences to understand present behavior.

Free association

A psychodynamic technique where clients are encouraged to speak freely to uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings.

Dream interpretation

A psychodynamic technique that analyzes the symbolic content of dreams to uncover unconscious conflicts.

Cognitive therapies

Approaches that focus on changing maladaptive thought patterns to improve emotions and behaviors.

Cognitive restructuring

A cognitive therapy technique that involves identifying and challenging distorted thinking patterns.

Fear hierarchies

A step-by-step list of fear-inducing stimuli used in exposure therapy to gradually confront fears.

Combating maladaptive thinking

Techniques used to challenge and change negative or unhelpful thought patterns.

Cognitive triad

Beck's theory that negative views of the self, world, and future contribute to depression.

Applied behavior analysis

A therapy based on behaviorism that uses reinforcement to improve specific behaviors.

Exposure therapies

Behavioral therapies that involve confronting feared stimuli to reduce anxiety responses.

Systematic desensitization

A type of exposure therapy that pairs relaxation techniques with gradual exposure to phobic stimuli.

Aversion therapies

A behavioral therapy that uses unpleasant stimuli to reduce or eliminate undesirable behaviors.

Token economies

A behavior modification system where individuals earn tokens for desired behaviors, which can be exchanged for rewards.

Biofeedback

A technique that teaches individuals to control physiological processes by providing real-time feedback.

Cognitive-behavioral therapies

A therapy that combines cognitive and behavioral techniques to treat psychological disorders.

Dialectical behavior therapy

A form of CBT that focuses on teaching skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)

A cognitive therapy developed by Albert Ellis that challenges irrational beliefs to change emotional responses.

Person-centered therapy

A humanistic therapy developed by Carl Rogers, emphasizing unconditional positive regard and empathy.

Active listening

A communication technique in therapy that involves fully focusing on and understanding the client's message.

Unconditional positive regard

An attitude of total acceptance and support for the client, regardless of their actions or feelings.

Group therapy

A form of therapy where multiple individuals meet with a therapist to discuss and address shared issues.

Hypnosis

A therapeutic technique involving a trance-like state to increase focus and suggestibility for behavioral change.

Psychoactive medication

Drugs that influence brain function, affecting mood, perception, or behavior.

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat depression by altering neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

Antianxiety drugs

Medications that reduce anxiety symptoms by calming the central nervous system.

Lithium

A mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder.

Antipsychotic medications

Drugs used to manage symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

Tardive dyskinesia

A side effect of long-term use of antipsychotic medications, involving involuntary muscle movements.

Psychosurgery

Surgical procedures that alter brain structures to treat severe psychological disorders.

Lesioning

The intentional destruction of brain tissue to study or treat a disorder.

TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)

A noninvasive technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, often used to treat depression.

Lobotomy

An outdated and controversial psychosurgical procedure that involved severing connections in the brain's prefrontal cortex.

Beck's therapy model

A cognitive therapy approach developed by Aaron Beck that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns to improve emotional well-being and behavior.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A medical treatment for severe depression or other mental disorders that involves applying brief electrical currents to the brain to induce a controlled seizure, often used when other treatments have failed.