Review of behavioural treatments

Answer true or false: 1. Behavioural therapies take a practical, problem-solving approach 2. SD uses reverse conditioning to replace a maladaptive response with a healthier response. 3. SD is used to treat schizophrenia. 4. SD involves relaxation techniques. 5. SD involves constructing a hierarchy of fearful situations. 6. SD takes place in a group setting with a therapist. 7. SD puts patients in a situation they are afraid of and tries to get them to relax % of patients with phobias respond to SD. 9. Behavioural treatments focus on the symptoms as opposed to the cause of abnormality. 10. SD may lead to symptom substitution.

Main principles of cognitive approach Psychological disorders are caused by irrational and maladaptive thoughts Psychological disorders are caused by irrational and maladaptive thoughts Cognitive processes that happen between a stimulus and a response are responsible for the feelings that are part of the response Cognitive processes that happen between a stimulus and a response are responsible for the feelings that are part of the response

CBT – Beck’s cognitive therapy Aim – to challenge irrational thoughts and replace them with realistic thoughts (used mainly for depression) Therapist helps client identify negative thoughts Client encouraged to keep record of thoughts and anxieties (diary?) Using material, therapist challenges negative thoughts and shows they are unrealistic by drawing attention to positive incidents (reality testing) Use behavioural techniques to encourage positive behaviour (small goals) Train in problem–solving skills to restructure cognitions

REBT - Ellis Helps patient to ‘cure’ themselves in elegant way because they become less disturbed over a long period Helps patient to ‘cure’ themselves in elegant way because they become less disturbed over a long period Therapist and client work together to identify situations and negative reactions Therapist and client work together to identify situations and negative reactions Therapist helps client rationalise situation to give client more realistic perspective Therapist helps client rationalise situation to give client more realistic perspective Focuses on disputing irrational beliefs: Focuses on disputing irrational beliefs: Logical – beliefs from info available are not logical Logical – beliefs from info available are not logical Empirical – beliefs not consistent with reality Empirical – beliefs not consistent with reality Pragmatic – highlights self-defeating beliefs are not useful Pragmatic – highlights self-defeating beliefs are not useful Overall aim is REBT should be incorporated into individual’s way of life to eradicate self-defeating thoughts Overall aim is REBT should be incorporated into individual’s way of life to eradicate self-defeating thoughts

Evaluation of CBT Write points and elaborations for each of the four evaluation paragraphs (2 strengths and 2 weaknesses). Write points and elaborations for each of the four evaluation paragraphs (2 strengths and 2 weaknesses).

Evaluation of CBT Engels et al (1993) conducted meta-analysis of studies and found REBT was successful in treating disorders such as OCD and social phobias. Engels et al (1993) conducted meta-analysis of studies and found REBT was successful in treating disorders such as OCD and social phobias. CBT is the most widely used therapy in the NHS and treats a range of disorders from stress management to educational, family and marital problems. It is also used as a combination therapy with drugs to treat depression and sometimes SZ. CBT is the most widely used therapy in the NHS and treats a range of disorders from stress management to educational, family and marital problems. It is also used as a combination therapy with drugs to treat depression and sometimes SZ. CBT is a collaborative therapy that involves an equal relationship between the client and therapist as together they agree the goals of therapy. CBT is a collaborative therapy that involves an equal relationship between the client and therapist as together they agree the goals of therapy. REBT does not always work as Ellis believed that sometimes people who claimed to be following principles of REBT are not actually putting the revised beliefs into actions. REBT does not always work as Ellis believed that sometimes people who claimed to be following principles of REBT are not actually putting the revised beliefs into actions.