Psychotherapy (Chapter 19) Third Lecture Outline : Group interventions Community-based approaches Effectiveness of therapy Psychotherapy videotape

Group therapy What group therapies are you aware of? Example: Parenting group Anger, Agoraphobia groups Advantages: Less expensive, group support, social pressure to change Disadvantages: Less intensive, conflicts within group, side-tracking Focus on teaching skills or support

Family Therapy Dad Looses job Dad Looses job Mom Gets depressed Joe Trouble at School Julie Parent conflict

Couples therapy Focus on interpersonal communication –What does the other person think? –How is your behavior actually seen by another? –Concerns raised as “I feel” instead of “you should” –Secrets, infidelity, violence, boredom Empathy –What does the other person feel? –What kind of behavior is “sensitive”

Community psychology Example: Dealing with teen depression Primary prevention –Prevent disorders before they happen –Teens could have self-esteem groups in school Secondary prevention –Detect disorders early on –Screen for depression in schools using BDI Tertiary prevention: Treat known problems and thus “prevent” ongoing problem

Other community-based approaches “Hotlines” such as suicide hotlines, 911 Trauma response teams in response to disasters –Psychologists were at Peggy’s Cove Community mental health clinics Support groups for high risk clients –Parents of chronically ill children Transition homes to deal with family violence

Self-help Bibliotherapy: Self-help books from the bookstore Surf the net: You can join “chat lines” of people with similar problems Videotapes: How to parent, how to communicate, how to be assertive are at “Blockbuster” Lifestyle: General health and fitness improves mental health

Client-intervention interaction Different therapies are effective for different people If you are verbal, “talking” therapy is fine because insight is needed If intelligence is low, behavioral approach may be more appropriate Group/couple therapy only if you have a group Self-help: Motivation, organization

Effectiveness of an intervention Group of 150 similar clients Random assignment Cognitive- Behavioral Therapy Supportive counseling (Attention) Wait-list control (Time) Follow up