Psychology December 16, 2011 Warm Up

1. PsychologyDecember 16, 2011Warm Up What has been the most interesting psychological disorder to you? What makes it so interesting? Be sure to explain everything…

2. What Therapy Is and Does… • Therapy falls into two basics categories: psychologically based therapy and biologically based therapy. Both forms of therapy can help people increase awareness and change behavior.

3. What are the main goals of therapy? • Achieving the Goals of Psychotherapy • Psychotherapy – involves verbal interactions between a trained professional and a person who is seeking help for a psychological problem. (psychologically based) • Help individuals gain new insight or perspective on a problem. • Provide a caring, trusting relationship with psychologist. • Biologically based therapy – use of drugs or medical procedures to treat psychological disorders.

4. What are the three main categories of professionals who practice psychotherapies? • Types of Mental Health Professionals • Counseling Psychologists – generally treat people with less serious psychological problems, such as adjustment problems. (work, college) • Clinical Psychologists – treat people with problems adjusting to everyday life. (anxiety, loss of motivation) • Psychiatrists – medical doctors with private practices. (prescribe medication, medical treatments) • School workers, psychiatric nurses – work in community clinics, hospitals, counsel individuals and families. • Teachers, guidance counselors, clergy, family doctors – little training, but help individuals deal with problems (anxiety, fear, be overwhelmed)

5. How do individual and group therapy compare? • Advantages of individual therapy • More personal attention • People are more likely to speak openly about their problems if they are alone. • Advantages of group therapy • Many in individual therapy eventually switch to group therapy. • Helps individuals realize they aren’t alone, similar people with similar problems. • Benefit from insights gained in group therapy • Support from members • Shows members that therapy can help, as others make break throughs, or help them reach a new perspective. • Enables therapist to work with several people at once, and the group can share the cost of the therapist’s time and do not have to bear the full cost of the session.

6. How do individual and group therapy compare? • Types of Therapy • Couples – learn new ways to listen and communicate with each other • Family – lives are intertwined, and families meet together. The issues of one family member may effect the others. • Self help groups – composed with people that share the same issues (eating disorders, substance abuse, compulsive gambling.)