GK

Clinical Psych Study guide

Here’s a comprehensive study guide to help you prepare:

1. Advantages and Disadvantages of Evidence-Based Practice/Manualized Therapy

Advantages:

  • Standardization ensures consistency and quality.

  • Empirically supported methods increase treatment efficacy.

  • Easier to train new therapists.

Disadvantages:

  • May not address individual client needs or cultural contexts.

  • Risk of rigid application, reducing therapist flexibility.

  • Could limit innovation.

2. Flexible Application of Therapy Manuals

  • When therapists are flexible, they can tailor interventions to client needs while maintaining the core principles of the treatment, leading to better outcomes and increased therapeutic alliance.

3. Effects of Different Payment Methods

  • Fee-for-service: Encourages more sessions but may lead to overtreatment.

  • Managed care/insurance: May limit session number, restrict assessment tools, or influence diagnosis for reimbursement.

  • Capitation: May incentivize shorter or fewer sessions.

4. Emerging Issues in Clinical Psychology Due to Technology

  • Online therapy ethics and regulation.

  • Confidentiality risks (e.g., data breaches).

  • AI in diagnosis/treatment.

  • Digital divide and access issues.

5. Effectiveness of Teletherapy

  • Comparable to in-person therapy for many disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety).

  • Some limitations with severe mental illness or building rapport.

  • Increased access and flexibility.

6. Aspirational Principles vs. Enforceable Standards

  • Aspirational Principles: Broad ethical ideals (e.g., integrity, justice).

  • Enforceable Standards: Specific rules; violations can result in sanctions.

7. Aspirational Principles (APA)

  1. Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

  2. Fidelity and Responsibility

  3. Integrity

  4. Justice

  5. Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity

8. Fisher’s Ethical Decision-Making Steps

  1. Identify the problem.

  2. Apply the APA Ethics Code.

  3. Determine nature of the dilemma.

  4. Consult with colleagues.

  5. Consider potential actions.

  6. Consider consequences.

  7. Choose and act.

Dr. Ogles' most important step: Identify the problem – sets the foundation.

9. Four Horsemen of Ethics

  • Confidentiality: Keep client info private. Example: Secure records.

  • Informed Consent: Clients understand services. Example: Consent form before therapy.

  • Conflict of Interest/Multiple Relationships: Avoid dual roles. Example: Therapist treating a friend.

  • Competence: Practice within areas of expertise. Example: Only treat trauma with relevant training.

10. Technology and Ethics

  • Confidentiality risks in online therapy.

  • Boundaries blurred on social media.

  • Using client info found via internet.

  • Storage and sharing of electronic records.

11. Two Models of Group Therapy

  • Model 1: Interpersonal Process Group Therapy – Focuses on here-and-now interactions (e.g., Yalom's model).

  • Model 2: Psychoeducational/Skill-building Groups

12. Factors that Make Group Therapy Work

  • Group cohesion

  • Universality

  • Interpersonal learning

  • Catharsis

  • Social skills practice

13. Practical and Ethical Issues in Group Therapy

  • Confidentiality among members.

  • Managing group dynamics.

  • Screening for suitability.

14. Effectiveness of Group Therapy

  • Effective for various issues (depression, anxiety, substance use).

  • Can be as effective as individual therapy.

15. Focus and Approach of Couples/Family Therapy

  • Focus: Relationships and communication patterns.

  • Approach: Systems theory – family as an emotional unit.

16. Key Terms

  • Genogram: Family map.

  • Functionalism: Behavior has a function in the family system.

  • Circular Causality: Mutual influence in relationships.

  • Boundaries: Rules for interaction.

  • Triangles: Two-person conflict pulling in a third.

  • Miracle Question: “If a miracle occurred overnight…”

17. Narrative, Solution-Focused, MST

  • Narrative: Re-authoring life stories.

  • Solution-Focused: Emphasis on strengths and goals.

  • MST: Intensive, family- and community-based for high-risk youth.

18. Behavioral Marital Therapy

  • Generally successful.

  • Success factors: communication skills, commitment, and problem-solving ability.

19. Polarization Process

  • Escalation of conflict through cycles of mutual blame, demand/withdraw, and entrenchment.

20. Integrative Couples Therapy Interventions

  • Empathic Joining: Sharing feelings without blame.

  • Unified Detachment: Viewing problems objectively.

  • Tolerance Building: Accepting partner’s traits.

21. Resilience vs. Vulnerability

  • Resilience: Ability to adapt to adversity.

  • Vulnerability: Susceptibility to harm.

  • Related factors: support, temperament, coping skills.

22. Externalizing vs. Internalizing Disorders

  • Externalizing: Outward behaviors (e.g., ADHD, ODD).

  • Internalizing: Inward distress (e.g., depression, anxiety).

23. Special Considerations with Children

  • Developmental stages.

  • Family involvement.

  • Legal consent and assent.

24. Interventions for Children

  • Play therapy

  • CBT

  • Parent management training

  • MST

25. MST Concepts

  • Fit: Link between behavior and context.

  • Do Loop: Assess → Intervene → Evaluate.

  • Intervention Principles: Family involvement, strength-based, evidence-based.

26. Russell Barkley’s 8 Steps (for ADHD)

  1. Clear instructions

  2. Immediate feedback

  3. Rewards

  4. Consistency

  5. Structure

  6. Timeouts

  7. Ignore minor behaviors

  8. Medication as needed

27. Slife Article Concepts

  • Values and worldviews are embedded in all therapy.

  • Need for openness to clients’ worldviews.

  • Critique of value-neutral approaches.

28. Prescription Privileges – Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Continuity of care.

  • Increased access in underserved areas.

Cons:

  • May shift psychology toward medical model.

  • Requires extensive training.

29. Health Psychology Applications

  • Weight management

  • Smoking cessation

  • Alcohol reduction

  • Pain management

  • Biofeedback

30. Cultural Influences on Health

  • Beliefs about illness.

  • Help-seeking behavior.

  • Family roles and norms.

31. Key Terms

  • Always review for definitions, examples, and application.

32. Coping Styles

  • Problem-focused: Address the stressor.

  • Emotion-focused: Manage emotions.

  • Flexible coping: Adapting strategies based on context.

33. Why Social Support Helps

  • Enhances mood.

  • Reframes perception of stress.

  • Touch and connection reduce cortisol.

  • Emotional expression and validation.

34. Duty to Warn vs. Duty to Protect

  • Tarasoff case: Therapists must warn/protect identifiable victims.

  • Warn: Inform potential victim.

  • Protect: Take steps like contacting authorities or hospitalization.

35. Forensic Psychology Concepts

  • Dangerousness prediction: Assessing an individual's potential to cause harm to themselves or others, often involving risk assessment tools and evaluations.

  • NGRI (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity): a legal defense that argues a defendant was unable to understand the nature of their actions due to a severe mental illness at the time the crime was committed.

  • Guilty but Mentally Ill: a verdict that acknowledges the defendant committed the crime but was suffering from a mental illness at the time, which may affect sentencing and treatment options.

  • Custody evaluations: Assessments conducted to determine the best living arrangement for a child in custody disputes, often analyzing the mental health of parents and the child's needs.

  • Competence to stand trial: the ability of a defendant to understand the charges against them and participate adequately in their own defense, ensuring they can comprehend the legal proceedings and assist their attorney.

  • Civil commitment: a legal process through which individuals with mental illnesses can be ordered into treatment against their will if they pose a danger to themselves or others, or are unable to provide for their basic needs.

  • Treatment in forensic settings: Specialized therapeutic approaches and interventions tailored for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, focusing on both rehabilitation and risk assessment to ensure public safety. Risk assessments: Evaluations used to determine the likelihood of an individual committing future crimes or reoffending, often incorporating both historical data and psychological evaluations to inform sentencing or intervention strategies.

  • Expert testimony: the opinion provided by a qualified expert, based on specialized knowledge or experience, regarding a defendant's mental state, competency, or other relevant psychological factors that may impact the legal proceedings or understanding of mental health issues within the context of the case.

36. Cultural Competence in Forensic Psychology

  • Avoid bias.

  • Understand client’s cultural context.

  • Use culturally appropriate assessments.

37. CBT in Sport Psychology

  • Identifying and challenging negative thoughts.

  • Goal setting.

  • Imagery and visualization.

  • Self-talk regulation.