therapies and therapists.

1. Historical Background

  • Early explanations: evil spirits, gods, imbalance of bodily humors (Hippocrates, Galen)

  • Treatment was inhumane (asylums, torture)

  • Reformers:

    • Philippe Pinel → humane treatment

    • Dorothea Dix → state hospitals

  • Deinstitutionalization (1950s):

    • Patients moved out of hospitals into communities

    • Caused by antipsychotic drugs

2. Psychoanalytic Therapy

  • Founder: Sigmund Freud

  • Focus: unconscious conflicts from childhood

Techniques:

  • Free association

  • Dream analysis

  • Analysis of slips of tongue

  • Hypnosis (less common)

Key concepts:

  • Resistance: avoiding painful topics

  • Transference: projecting feelings onto therapist

  • Catharsis: emotional release

Goal:

  • Make unconscious conscious → insight → behavior change

3. Behavioral Therapies

  • Based on learning (conditioning)

Types:

  • Systematic desensitization:

    • Gradual exposure + relaxation

  • Flooding:

    • Immediate intense exposure (extinction)

  • Implosive therapy:

    • Imagined exposure

  • Aversion therapy:

    • Pair behavior with unpleasant stimulus

  • Token economy:

    • Rewards for good behavior

Use:

  • Phobias, addictions, habits

4. Humanistic Therapies

  • Focus: free will, self-growth, personal responsibility

Key figure:

  • Carl Rogers

Client-centered therapy:

  • Therapist is non-judgmental

  • Client leads session

Core conditions:

  • Empathy

  • Unconditional positive regard

  • Genuineness

Other types:

  • Gestalt therapy:

    • Focus on present (“here and now”)

    • Empty chair technique

  • Existential therapy:

    • Meaning, purpose, responsibility

5. Cognitive Therapy (CT)

  • Developer: Aaron Beck

Focus:

  • Change distorted thinking → change behavior/emotions

Cognitive distortions:

  • Selective perception

  • Overgeneralization

  • All-or-nothing thinking

Key idea:

  • Thoughts → feelings → behavior

Techniques:

  • Challenging irrational beliefs

  • Homework assignments

  • Skill building

6. Biomedical Therapy

  • Focus: brain and biology

Methods:

  • Drugs:

    • Antidepressants

    • Antianxiety

    • Antipsychotics

  • ECT (Electroconvulsive therapy):

    • Severe depression

  • Psychosurgery:

    • Rare (e.g., cingulotomy)

7. Eclectic Approach

  • Most common today

  • Combines:

    • Cognitive

    • Behavioral

    • Biological

    • Social approaches

Example:

  • Medication + therapy + family support

8. Types of Therapists

Psychiatrist

  • Medical doctor (M.D.)

  • Can prescribe medication

  • Focus: biological treatment

Clinical Psychologist

  • Ph.D. or Psy.D.

  • Diagnosis + therapy

  • Often eclectic

Psychoanalyst

  • Specialized training in psychoanalysis

  • Long-term therapy

Counseling Psychologist

  • Focus: everyday problems

  • Less severe disorders

9. Other Mental Health Professionals

  • Clinical social worker:

    • Therapy + support for daily life

  • Psychiatric nurse/social worker:

    • Community care, medical support

  • School psychologist:

    • Learning + emotional issues in students

  • Guidance counselor:

    • Academic + personal support

10. Key AP Psychology Takeaways

  • No single therapy works for all disorders

  • Modern treatment = integrated (eclectic)

  • Therapy choice depends on:

    • Severity

    • Type of disorder

    • Individual needs

  • Mental health treatment evolved from inhumane → scientific + humane care