Psychology 2035A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 15: Mental Health Professional, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Positive Psychotherapy
Document Summary
Psychotherapies involve a helping relationship (treatment) between professional with special training (therapist) and another person in need of help (the client) Clients engage in complex verbal interactions with their therapies. Pursue increased insight regarding the nature of client"s difficulties. May be conducted with individual or group: behaviour therapies: based on principles of learning & conditioning. Direct efforts to alter problematic responses & maladaptive habits. Change clients" overt behaviours: biomedical therapies: interventions into person"s physiological functioning. Provided only by physicians with medical degree (psychiatrists) But, here"s a twist: due to inadequate access to psychiatrists, psychologists have ability to obtain prescription authority (some states approved, others fighting) Of the therapeutic triad, greatest diversity seen among clients bring full range of human problems. 2 most common presenting problems: excessive anxiety, depression. People often hold off for many years before finally seeking treatment for psychological problems. Some people seek professional help for everyday problems or vague feelings of discontent.