Lauren Bedford Chapter 14 Outline Psychotherapy consists of interactions between a trained therapist and someone seeking to overcome psychological

difficulties or achieve personal growth. The major psychotherapies derive from psychologys psychoanalytic, humanistic, behavioral, and cognitive perspectives. Many therapists combine aspects of these perspectives in an eclectic approach or psychotherapy integration. Does psychotherapy work? Who decides? - Neither the positive testimonials of clients nor those of therapists can prove that therapy is effective. Statistical summaries of hundreds of outcome studies of psychotherapys effectiveness indicates that people who remain untreated often improve, but those who receive psychotherapy are more likely to improve. The Biomedical therapies treat psychological disorders with medications or medical procedures that act directly on the nervous system. What are the drug therapies? Drug therapy, the most widely used biomedical therapy, alters brain chemistry, often by decreasing or increasing the available supply of particular neurotransmitters. Many antipsychotic drugs, used in treating schizophrenia, block dopamine activity, and some can have serious side effects. Antianxiety drugs, which depress central nervous system activity, are used to treat anxiety disorders. What is the rationale for preventive mental health programs? They are based on the idea that psychological disorders could be prevented by changing oppressive, esteem-destroying environments into more benevolent, nurturing environments that foster individual growth and self- confidence. Lobotomy The procedure cut the nerves connecting the frontal lobes to the emotion-controlling centers of the inner brain.