Eclectic Approaches to Treatment

What is it? The eclectic approach is simply treatment that incorporates principles or techniques from various systems of theories, including biomedical, individual and group therapy. It recognizes the strengths and limitations of the various therapies, and tailors sessions to the needs of the individual client or group. Although there are possible disadvantages to the eclectic approach, it seems to be the most integrative approach to treatment that is most effective in reducing symptoms of psychological disorders.

Advantages Gets at multiple causal factors/Levels of analysis to work on care and prevention of the disorder effective in reducing relapse rates provides a variation of treatments that combines the advantages of different approaches in hopes of combating their limitations The eclectic approach provides a variation of treatments that combines the advantages of different approaches in hopes of combating their limitations. The effectiveness of this approach lies in its flexibility and modification ability to suite the individual the best. overall compliance with the doctors instructions increases

Key Studies on the advantages of Eclectic Rush et al. (1977): suggest the higher relapse rate for those treated with drugs arises because patients in a cognitive therapy program learn skills to cope with depression that the patients given drugs do not. Hollon and Beck (1994): A growing number of studies is showing that cognitive therapies are more effective than drug treatment alone at preventing relapse or recurrence except when drug treatment is continued long-term. A combination of drugs and psychotherapy (cognitive or interpersonal) appears to be moderately more successful than either psychotherapy or drugs alone (Klerman et al., 1994) Wilson (1996): In treating Bulimia Nervosa, researchers found that CBT was superior to medication alone and that the combination of CBT and medication was superior to medication alone.

Disadvantages/Limitations Due to cultural differences, it is difficult to integrate different approaches to suite the needs of each specific culture. Some approaches may not work best for all cultures, but may work best for others. Mutlaq and Chaleby (1995): applied to Arab cultures - There are strict gender roles, deference to members in the group based on age or tribal status, and the misperception that the therapy session is simply another social activity. In this case, group therapy is proven ineffective

Disadvantages/Limitations in order to properly and correctly administer an eclectic treatment, it requires that the clinician have sufficient knowledge and skill to do so. Lebow (2003) stated that sometimes-eclectic approaches are too complex for one clinician to manage; a second point he makes is that there is always a danger that clinicians may call themselves “eclectic” when they really have no clear direction for the treatment.

Example of an eclectic approach to therapy In the case of a depressive patient who is suicidal, CBT may take too long to take effect, or the individual may not be in a state that would allow for discussion about his or her cognitive process. Drug therapy may be used in order to lessen the symptomology of the disorder; then once, the individual becomes more self-reliant, group therapy may be recommended in order to help him or her develop strategies to avoid future relapse, as well as a support system.

Summary There are always going to be limitations to all different therapies including the eclectic approach, however it is clear that the strengths of an eclectic approach outweighs the disadvantages. The combination of all therapies that incorporates the strengths of different treatment methods enables the researcher to tailor to the individual and eliminate the individual weaknesses of other approaches. Eclectic approaches are especially effective in the cases of complex disorders, which have a set of interlinking risk factors. It is the most widely practiced form of treatment.

Writing an essay ~ We need to consider our level of critical thinking and our inclusion of specific vocabulary within our LAQs First, lets think about how to ASSESS treatments. What are our criteria? What are the challenges of assessment? Take 10 minutes to review the relevant pdf on Moodle related to assessment. Consider how this will help shape your essay on the topic and develop an outline that is analytical rather than narrative using this document/concept as a guide.

Vocab When including key terms or concepts, it is important not to just ‘name drop’ but rather to give a brief in sentence definition of the term or concept you are using. Here are some potential key terms for this unit and/or subunit on treatment. How and how many do you think you could apply to an essay?

Construct validity: When comparing therapies it is difficult to know whether all members of each group suffer from the same type of depression. The construct of depression is quite broad and may make comparison difficult. Predictive validity: For this students would have to look at the likelihood that an individual would benefit from the treatment and the likelihood of relapse. Correlational data: Many studies are correlational in nature and thus do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Comorbidity: Since often individuals may suffer from more than one psychological problem at a time - for example, alcoholism and depression - it is difficult to determine the extent to which a therapy may or may not be helping the individual.

Researcher bias: A key question is "who decides that the client is getting better?" In the case where the therapist or psychiatrist decides this, there may be a bias. File drawer effect: Many therapies are assessed by clinics, pharmaceutical companies or theorists. Often when there is no significant data, that information is not published. Thus, meta-analyses may be biased because they usually only include published studies. Also known as publishing bias. Reliability: It is difficult to establish reliable research on therapy since the therapy is never done exactly the same way twice. Isolation of variables: Especially in group therapy, there are so many variables inherent to the treatment that it is impossible to really determine which factors were the most important in an individual's improvement or lack thereof.

Outcome vs. process: Whereas drug therapy often can be tested simply on an outcome basis (did it work or not?), many psychologists argue that psychotherapy needs to be assessed on a process basis - that is, a look at how the client has evolved over time and how the therapy has been adapted to meet the needs of the client. Double blind study: The researcher looking at data would not know what the aim of the study was, nor would s/he know which group the individual being studied was in. Social desirability effect: When clients self-report their progress, they may be very positive so that neither they nor the therapist looks bad. Spontaneous remission: This is the criticism that the disorder may have gone away on its own and that the therapy was actually only incidental, not playing a significant role.