Learning Objectives s14

Learning Objectives

OBJECTIVE 17.1 — Define psychotherapy; describe each of the following approaches to therapy: a. individual therapy; b. group therapy; c. insight therapy; d. action therapy; e. directive therapy; f. non-directive therapy; g. time-limited therapy; and h. supportive therapy; and discuss what a person can expect as possible outcomes from psychotherapy.

OBJECTIVE 17.2 — Briefly describe the history of the treatment of psychological problems, including trepanning, demonology, exorcism, ergotism, and the work of Pinel.

OBJECTIVE 17.3 — Discuss the development of psychoanalysis and its four basic techniques; name and describe the therapy that is frequently used today instead of psychoanalysis; and describe the criticism that helped prompt the switch, including the concept of spontaneous remission.

OBJECTIVE 17.4 — Discuss the following humanistic approaches to therapy: a. client-centered therapy; b. existential therapy; and c. Gestalt therapy. Contrast the humanistic approaches to psychoanalysis; and compare the three humanistic approaches to each other.

OBJECTIVE 17.5 — Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of telephone therapy, cybertherapy, and videoconferencing therapy; and describe what the APA recommends should be the extent of their activities.

OBJECTIVE 17.6 — Contrast the goal of behavior therapy with the goal of insight therapies; and define behavior modification and state its basic assumption.

OBJECTIVE 17.7 — Explain the relationship of aversion therapy to classical conditioning; and describe how aversion therapy can be used to stop bad habits and maladaptive behaviors.

OBJECTIVE 17.8 — Explain how relaxation, reciprocal inhibition, and use of a hierarchy, are combined to produce systematic desensitization; and describe how desensitization therapy, vicarious desensitization therapy; virtual reality exposure; and eye movement desensitization (EMDR) are used to treat anxiety disorders, such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder.

OBJECTIVE 17.9 — List and briefly describe the seven operant principles most frequently used by behavior therapists; explain how nonreinforcement and time out can be used to bring about extinction of a maladaptive behavior; and describe a token economy.

OBJECTIVE 17.10 — Explain what sets a cognitive therapist apart from other action therapists; describe three thinking errors which Beck said underlies depression and what can be done to correct such thinking; and discuss Ellis’ rational-emotive behavior therapy and the three core ideas which serve as the basis of most irrational beliefs.

OBJECTIVE 17.11 — List the advantages of group therapy; briefly describe each of the following group therapies: a. psychodrama (include role-playing, role reversal, and mirror technique); b. family therapy; and c. group awareness training (include sensitivity groups, encounter groups, and large group awareness training). Include the concept of the therapy placebo effect.

OBJECTIVE 17.12 — Discuss the effectiveness and strengths of each type of psychotherapy (see Table 17.2); describe the rate at which doses of therapy help people improve; and list the eight goals of psychotherapy and how they are accomplished. Include a description of a culturally-skilled therapist and the future of psychotherapy.

OBJECTIVE 17.13 — List and briefly describe the nine points or tips which can help a person when counseling a friend.

OBJECTIVE 17.14 — Describe the three types of somatic therapy, including the advantages and disadvantages of the therapy, its effects, and the types of disorders for which each is most useful: a. pharmacotherapy and the three major classes of drugs (see Table 17.4); b. electoconvulsive therapy (ECT); and c. psychosurgery (prefrontal lobotomy and deep lesioning techniques).

OBJECTIVE 17.15 — Describe the role of hospitalization and partial hospitalization in the treatment of psychological disorders; explain what deinstitutionalization is and how halfway houses have attempted to help in the treatment of mental health; and discuss the roles of community mental health centers.

OBJECTIVE 17.16 — Describe how covert sensitization, thought stopping, and covert reinforcement can be used to reduce unwanted behavior.

OBJECTIVE 17.17 — Give an example of how you can overcome a common fear or break a bad habit using the steps given for desensitization.

OBJECTIVE 17.18 — List four indicators that may signal the need for professional psychological help and six methods a person can use for finding a therapist (see Table 17.5); and describe how one can choose a psychotherapist, including the concepts of peer counselors and self-help groups.

OBJECTIVE 17.19 — Summarize what is known about the importance of the personal qualities of the therapist and the client for successful therapy; and list six psychotherapy danger signals.