Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Unit 8: Approaches to Psychotherapy II - Seminar This week we read chapters 14 and 15, the topic for the Seminar Discussion: are these four different schools of psychotherapy (Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Behavioral, and Cognitive). Discussion Scenario Part 1 Which of these therapeutic approaches appeals to you the most? Based on what you know from research, which type of therapy do you think is best? Which approach seems to fit your style as a therapist best? Discussion Scenario Part 2 Chapter 11, in a discussion of psychotherapy research, refers to efficacy vs. effectiveness. How are these two kinds of research different? What implications do they have as you interpret psychotherapy research findings? Discussion Scenario Part 3 Do you think you will practice different types of therapy for different problems? If so, what problems seem most appropriate for which kinds of therapy? Does Psychotherapy Work? Through the mid-1900s, most answers to this question came in subjective, nonempirical forms (few empirical studies) In 1952, Hans Eysenck published a study in which he concluded that therapy was of little benefit His finding has since been overturned, but his study inspired decades of research on therapy outcome Behavioral Psychotherapy Behavioral therapy represents a reaction against the lack of empiricism inherent in psychodynamic and humanistic approaches – A reaction against mental processes that can’t be precisely defined, directly observed, or scientifically tested Origins of Behavioral Psychotherapy The clinical application of behavioral principles Roots of behaviorism include – Ivan Pavlov’s classical conditioning studies with dogs in Russia – John Watson’s efforts to bring classical conditioning to U. S. – B. F. Skinner’s and E. L. Thorndike’s studies of operant conditioning Goal of Behavioral Psychotherapy The primary goal of behavioral psychotherapy is observable behavior change No emphasis on internal, mental processes – In contrast to previous approaches (e.g., psychodynamic and humanistic) Discussion Question How does the behavioral approach to psychological problems – namely, reliance on observable, quantifiable behaviors – differ from that of the psychoanalytic and humanistic perspectives presented in earlier chapters? Goal of Behavioral Psychotherapy (cont.) Emphasis on empiricism – Study of human behavior should be scientific – Clinical methods should be scientifically evaluated via testable hypotheses and empirical data based on observable variables For example, baseline measures of problem behavior at outset; subsequent measures after some therapy Goal of Behavioral Psychotherapy (cont.) Defining problems behaviorally – client behaviors are not symptoms of some underlying problem—those behaviors are the problem – behavioral definitions make it easy to identify target behaviors and measure changes in therapy Clients’ own definitions can be very hard to assess or measure Goal of Behavioral Psychotherapy (cont.) Measuring change observably – Other kinds of therapists may measure change in clients in more inferential ways, but behavioral therapists use more unambiguous indications of progress – Introspection is not an acceptable way to measure progress—not directly observable Cognitive Psychotherapy Cognitive therapy has risen in popularity in recent decades Currently, more clinical psychologists endorse it than any other single-school approach to therapy Represents a reaction to both behavioral and psychodynamic therapy Goal of Cognitive Therapy the goal of cognitive therapy is an increase in logical thinking, or to fix faulty thinking The way we think about or interpret events determines the way we respond emotionally Importance of Cognition “Cognition” can also be called thought, belief, or interpretation Although we often describe our feelings as stemming directly from events, cognitions actually intervene Events don’t make us happy or sad. Instead, the way we think about those events does. Discussion Question What is your opinion of cognitive treatment approaches? Are faulty cognitions the root of all psychopathology? Provide explanations for your responses. Revising Cognitions If cognitions determine feelings, revising illogical cognitions can lead to more appropriate emotional reactions If cognitions are more extreme than warranted, unwanted feelings can unnecessarily occur Three steps to revising cognitions: – Identify illogical cognitions (automatic thoughts) – Challenge them – Replace them with more logical cognitions Teaching as a Therapy Tool Cognitive therapists often function as teachers with their clients – Educate clients about the cognitive model – Use handouts, mini-lectures, readings – Written assignments – Aspire for clients to ultimately be able to use the lessons learned to teach themselves rather than remaining dependent on the teacher Homework Cognitive therapists often assign homework between sessions – Written Keep a record of events, interpretations, and feelings – Behavioral Perform certain behaviors to examine the validity of a cognition that may be illogical A Brief, Structured, Focused Approach Cognitive therapy is typically – Relatively brief—often 15 sessions or less – Structured and planned Sessions may not be as free-flowing or spontaneous as in other therapies – Focused on particular goals determined by client and therapist at the outset Two Approaches to Cognitive Therapy Albert Ellis – His approach is known as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Despite the word “behavior” in the name, it is cognitive (not behavioral) therapy – Emphasizes a connection between rationality and emotion Two Approaches to Cognitive Therapy (cont.) Albert Ellis (cont.) – ABCDE model Activating Event Belief Consequence (emotional) Dispute Effective new belief – These five columns provide a format for written records of client experiences – Also provide a model of understanding and change for client Two Approaches to Cognitive Therapy (cont.) Aaron Beck – General term “cognitive therapy” is label for his approach – Dysfunctional Thought Record instead of ABCDE format for recording client experiences Different column headings, but similar concepts Two Approaches to Cognitive Therapy (cont.) Aaron Beck (cont.) – Common thought distortions All-or-nothing thinking (no gray area) Catastrophizing (unrealistically expecting the worst) Magnification/minimization (mountain out of molehill) Personalization (assume too much responsibility) Overgeneralization (negative thoughts applied too broadly) Mental filtering (ignoring positive events and focusing only on negative events) Mind reading (presuming to know what others think) Two Approaches to Cognitive Therapy (cont.) Aaron Beck (cont.) – Beliefs as hypotheses Our beliefs are hypotheses , even though we may live as if they are proven facts Therapy can involve putting these beliefs to the test to see if they hold true Discussion Question If an individual experiences cognitive distortions in which he interprets events in an uncharacteristically optimistic fashion, does he require cognitive therapy? Are all cognitive distortions psychologically unhealthy? Recent Applications of Cognitive Therapy Cognitive therapy for medical problems – The way patients think about injury, illness, or condition can be powerful, especially when irrational – Increasing logical thinking can improve mental and physical health – Has been successfully applied to a variety of medical problems Discussion Question Part 1 Cultural factors undoubtedly contribute to an individual’s cognitions. How should a psychologist employing cognitive techniques approach a client’s thoughts that are based on deep-seated traditions or beliefs? For example, consider a young woman who is a Christian, but has nonetheless engaged in premarital sex; she reveals that she often thinks of herself as sinful and impure after such sexual encounters, and ultimately experiences depressive symptoms as a result of these cognitions. Discussion Question Part 2 Although premarital sex is universally denounced as a sinful act by Christian religion, should a cognitive psychologist attempt to modify this client’s most intimate beliefs in the name of altering arguably faulty cognitions? Is there another, noncognitive approach that might better serve such a client? Questions?