Chapter 17: Therapy

Overview of Modern Therapy

Psychoanalysis

Assumptions:– Psychological problems are fueled by

repressed impulses and conflicts– Analysis brings these thoughts to the

surface which relieves the sufferer of anxiety

Psychoanalysis

Methods:– Historical reconstruction

Unearth the cause of conflict by reconstructing the past

– Free association Say whatever comes to mind on a given topic Therapist looks for “resistance” in the form of hesitation,

jokes, self-editing, or embarrassment Therapist interprets the underlying meaning of the

resistance

– Transference Directing your hidden feelings and wishes towards your

therapist

Psychoanalysis

Criticisms:– Based on the assumption that

repressed memories exist– Interpretations are hard to refute– Takes a lot of time and money

Psychodynamic therapy

Less time and money than traditional psychoanalysis

Focuses more on the present while giving attention to the past

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic Therapy

Assumptions:– People have an inherent potential for

self-fulfillment– Helping people grow in self-

awareness is the key to mental health

Humanistic Therapy

Differs from psychoanalysis by focusing on– The present and the future more than the past– Conscious rather than unconscious thoughts– Taking immediate responsibility for one’s feelings

and actions– Promoting growth instead of curing illness

Humanistic Therapy

Methods:– Client Centered Therapy

Non-directiveGenuineness, acceptance, empathyActive listening

Humanistic Therapy

Criticisms:– One cannot be totally nondirective– Overly optimistic about human nature– Cannot help in severe cases

Cognitive Therapy

Assumptions:– Thinking greatly colors feelings and

actions

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. Viktor E. Frankl

Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. Viktor E. Frankl

Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive-behavior interatction

Belief: “I’m not a good test taker”

Action: Anxiety-induced poor test performance

CausesReinforces

Cognitive Therapy

Methods:– Rational-emotive therapy

Works to uncover irrationalities in thought

– Cognitive-behavior therapyAddresses destructive cycle

of thoughts and actions

Cognitive Therapy

Criticisms:– Not effective for severe cases– Lack of patient buy-in could cause

progress to fail after therapy

Behavior Therapies

Assumptions:– The behavior is the problem– Doubt the healing power of self-

awareness

Behavior Therapies

Methods:– Classical Conditioning

Systematic desensitizationAversive conditioning

– Operant ConditioningToken economy

Behavior Therapies

Criticisms:– Does not get to the root of

the problem– “Cure” only effective during

treatment, when reinforcement stops so will appropriate behavior

– Ethical concerns of behavior modification?

Psychotherapies provide:

Hope for demoralized peopleA new perspectiveAn empathetic, trusting, caring

relationship

Do psychotherapies work?

Research is split but tends to indicate that therapy is generally better than no treatment

Different therapies are better for different problems

Don’t discount the power of suggestion