Unit 10B

Psychotherapy

Treatment involving psychological techniques used to help someone overcome mental, emotional, or behavioral problems.
Example: A therapist meets weekly with a client to help them manage depression through talk-based strategies.

Eclectic Approach

Using techniques from multiple therapeutic approaches rather than just one.
Example: A therapist combines cognitive therapy (changing thoughts) with behavioral techniques (reward systems).

Family Therapy

Therapy that treats the family as a system and works on improving communication and relationships.
Example: A teenager's behavioral issues are addressed by working with both the teen and their parents together.

Group Therapy

Therapy conducted with multiple participants who share experiences and support each other.
Example: People recovering from addiction meet weekly to discuss challenges and progress.

Regression towards the Mean

Extreme or unusual scores tend to move closer to the average over time.
Example: A student who scores extremely low on one test is likely to score closer to their usual average next time…similarly extreme moods and mental states tend to move back towards the average over time.

Meta-analysis

A statistical technique that combines results from multiple studies to find overall trends.
Example: Researchers combine 50 studies on therapy effectiveness to determine which treatment works best.

Nonmaleficence

Obligation to do no harm.

Example: A therapist avoids using techniques that could emotionally damage a client.

Fidelity

Establishing trust and maintaining professional relationships.
Example: A therapist keeps appointments consistent and follows through on commitments.

Integrity

Promoting honesty and accuracy in practice.
Example: A psychologist does not falsify research results or mislead clients.

Justice

Treating all individuals fairly and equally.
Example: A therapist provides the same quality of care regardless of a client's background.

Respect for People's Rights and Dignity

Respecting privacy, confidentiality, and individual differences.
Example: A therapist keeps client information confidential and respects cultural beliefs.

Free Association

Psychoanalytic technique where client says whatever comes to mind to uncover unconscious thoughts. Example: A client talks freely about random memories, revealing hidden fears.

Resistance

Psychoanalytic idea that occurs when patient blocks or avoids certain thoughts during therapy.
Example: A client changes the subject when discussing a traumatic event.

Transference

Psychoanalytic concept where patient is redirecting feelings from one person onto the therapist.
Example: A client begins to treat the therapist like a parent figure.

Client-Centered Therapy AKA Person-Centered Therapy

Humanistic form of therapy that is focused on providing a supportive environment for self-growth.
Example: The therapist listens without judgment, helping the client find their own solutions.

Active Listening

Empathetic listening that includes reflecting and clarifying.
Example: A therapist rephrases what the client says to show understanding.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Accepting and valuing the client without judgment.
Example: A therapist supports a client even when they admit to mistakes.

Counterconditioning

Replacing an unwanted response with a desired one.
Example: Teaching relaxation instead of fear when seeing a dog. Includes systematic desensitization and aversive conditioning

Systematic Desensitization

Gradual exposure to a feared stimulus while practicing relaxation and involves CLASSICAL CONDITIONING. Example: A person afraid of flying (NS/CS) has relaxation (UCS) paired with a variety of stimuli associated with flying while relaxed: first looks at planes, then visits an airport, then takes a short flight….dont move on to next step until relaxation shown in previous step.

Aversive Conditioning

Associating an unpleasant stimulus with unwanted behavior based on CLASSICAL CONDITIONING.
Example: A clinic puts a nauseating medicine (UCS) in an alcoholic drink (NS/CS) so client can learned a negative association with their bad drinking habit.

Token Economy

Reward system where tokens are earned for desired behaviors and exchanged for rewards based on OPERANT CONDITIONING.
Example: Students earn points for good behavior that can be traded for prizes.

Cognitive Restructuring

Identifying and changing negative or irrational thoughts.
Example: Changing "I always fail" to "I can improve with practice."

Anxiety Hierarchy

Ranking feared situations from least to most anxiety-provoking as a first step in systematic desensitization. Requires reflection so is COGNITIVE.
Example: A fear-of-dogs list might start with seeing pictures and end with petting a dog.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Combines cognitive and behavioral techniques to change thoughts and actions.
Example: A client challenges negative thoughts while practicing new behaviors.

Rational Emotive Therapy

Focuses on changing irrational beliefs that cause emotional distress and lead to unhealthy behaviors.
Example: A therapist helps a client replace "I must be perfect" with more realistic thinking that will allow them adapt in challenging situations.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

CBT-based therapy emphasizing emotional regulation and acceptance.
Example: A person learns coping skills like mindfulness to manage intense emotions.

Psychotropic Drugs

Medications that affect mood, perception, or behavior by altering brain chemistry.
Example: A person with depression takes medication to improve mood.

Lithium

A mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder.
Example: A person with extreme mood swings takes lithium to stabilize emotions.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Controlled electrical stimulation of the brain to treat severe depression.
Example: A severely depressed patient receives ECT after other treatments fail.

Psychosurgery

Surgery that removes or destroys brain tissue to treat disorders
Example: Rarely used today for severe, treatment-resistant cases.

Lobotomy

An outdated psychosurgery that severed connections in the frontal lobes.
Example: Historically used to treat severe mental illness but caused major side effects.

Anti-Depressants

Drugs that increase neurotransmitters like serotonin and sometimes norepinephrine.
Example: SSRIs increase serotonin to improve mood.

Anti-Psychotic Drugs

Drugs that reduce symptoms of schizophrenia by blocking dopamine.
Example: Used to reduce hallucinations and delusions.

Anti-anxiety Drugs

Drugs that reduce anxiety by increasing calming neurotransmitters like GABA.
Example: Benzodiazepines help calm excessive nervous system activity.