What is psychotherapy?
Talk therapy!We are talking depending on each other for maintenance of our biological and psychological well being.It is a form of help giving, differ from informal help inPractioners are trainedTheir activity is guided by a theory or thesis that explain sources of patient’s distress

It is the time consumed with the patient by the practioner not for diagnosis or prescribing medication.

It is a misnomer as psyche refers to all therapies but we mean the language or talk.

 

Historical:
2 categories:Religio-medicalThe empirical scientificThey share the aim of restoring the patient’s harmony with himself and with his group. They share the same belief of patient and therapist.Talk = habits, strategic and maladaptive thinking=trained therapist.

Behavioral = maladaptive behavior =

Practioners of psychotherapyStarting with Mesmer until the middle of the 12thcentury. The Empirical scientific psychotherapy was conducted by physicians initially neurologist. In recent decades they have been joined by:Social workerClinical psychologistsIn Britain they work under medical supervision for referred patients from specialists.  But in USA they have complete autonomy. Also in USA there is peer self help psychotherapy groups.  Sometimes-specific AA, NA groups.
Goals:
The goal of all forms of psychotherapy is to enable person to satisfy his legitimate needs for affection, recognitions and helping him to correct the maladaptive attitudes, emotions and behavior. I.e.To reduce distressImprove social communicationsAccept the inevitable suffering.
Kinds:
Cognitive therapies:
Receivers:
PsychoticsNeurotics A, p, d, oPsychologically shaken. Who are loaded by stressThe unruly, disturbing others due to illness
How effective?
Differs according to criteria for improvement
Demoralization hypothesis
A state of mind that stem when a person feels incompetent, unable to cope with problem that others expect him to handle.  Clinically, loss of confidence, sense of failure, guilt and shame, resentful, loss of faith in groups values and believes. Loss of sight of long-term goals. With consequent loss of confidence again.Demoralization episodes are self-limited and exacerbates in crisis.Features of psychotherapy which combat demoralization:Relationship, warm emotional with the therapist to gain confidence.A healing setting: to reinforce the relationship in a prestigious hospital, impressive, desk, chair, office with bookshelves.

A rational, conceptual scheme. For explanation of symptoms and management

A procedure with active participation for patient and therapist to maintain patient ‘s health.

Shared therapeutic functions of the rational and procedures of psychotherapy

They differ but share in 6 functions:

  1. They strengthen the therapeutic relationship
  2. All therapies maintain patient’s hope for help, which is a strong healing, force.
  3. Provide the patient cognitive and experimental learning by new information about his suffering
  4. Experimental learning implies emotional arousal; which supplies the motive to change.
  5. Enhance patient’s sense of mastery and self-control, competence and effectiveness.
  6. Encourage the patient to work through what he has leant.

 

Suggestions for some attitudes and specific procedures to facilitate patient – therapist supply the basis for success of psychotherapy
Therapist should be spontaneous within limits. Disclose the boundariesMaintain an attitude of respectful serious attention for many pts especially lower social standards.Emphasis the positive, especially in the beginning, before the bad or worse.Make sure that the patient understands the interview situation depending on patient’s sophistication.Pay attention to physical arrangements to maintain or avoid eye gaze.

Be alert to the patient’s non verbal behavioral:

  • Tone of voice
  • Hesitancy of speech
  • Facial expression
  • Gestures of body postures
  • Autonomic activity.  Put no comments on that u see

Focus on the present:  here and now

Take a history, present then go to the past

Reflect what you see and that you have heard.

Interpret but shortly

Ending the interview

Individual long term psychotherapy:
Psychoanalysis
As a psychotherapeutic procedures it has a prescribed rules 4-5 sessions / week, 50 min. long, using free association to gather data and interpret to induce inner insight.  IN 1980s it used basic psychoanalytical concepts, also draws on concepts from both learning and humanistic theories.

Individual long- term psychotherapy

Is provided for motivated patients in        50 min sessions, once weekly, from 6 – 18 months.  Could be brief number 10 to 40(i.e. 3 – 6 months)
Procedure:
Assessing the patient:History takingMental state examinationPsychological evaluationDecision for suitability

Starting psychotherapy:

Preparation:  encourage the patient explain set goal

Therapeutic contract: arrange general and specific agreements [time, length and frequency]

Goals of therapy: symptom alleviation and personality change to discard the negatives and enhance the positives

Trial of therapy: for a couple so sessions if no benefit stop

Significant others: if are influential consider them.

Any questions at the end.

Therapeutic strategies:Free association. Accept them as presentedThe first psychotherapy session: attention should be paid for any difficulty e.g. unconscious blocks, work through.Clarification:Linking: between feelings and behavior, past, present and future

Reflecting: be as a mirror

Interpretation: to make the unconscious motives, feelings and attitudes to conscious ones. This enhances insight and modifies behavior.

Confrontation: with consequences of his behavior, it is basically a challenge. Should be used after interpretation.

Managing the unsuitable patient: by reduction of the number sessions and emphasize the present reality

 

Finishing the therapy:

There are positive and negative reasons for termination. If symptom relief

Further assessment: may be re-contracting is required

Socializing with patients: should be tried towards the end.

Problems for the therapist:Counter transference: therapist attitude to his patient during therapy should reflect his own feelings and attitudes to important person in his life past or present. The emotions may be evolved could be tenderness, dislikes, hate, anger, fear &/or insecurity. The key for coping with this is to be aware of it.Therapist activity – passivity: it is a dimension of personality, whatever the school he follows. However, good training optimize this in a proper place.
Training:3 dimensionsClinical practice under supervisionTheoretical reading and instructionsPersonal growth
Brief focal psychotherapy:
Brief psychotherapies
3 major approachesPsychodynamicCognitive behavioralClient centeredCrisis intervention is shorter more directive form, therapist, and concentrate on reduction of arousal than its mobilization.
Features of brief focal psychotherapy:
Time:Time limited – sessions limitedNo clear cut but briefly is relative   1- 6 – 25 – 40 sessionsWeekly basis.  15 – 60 minutes sessionSelection of a focus in therapy:

Assume a focus for management and maintain on it for brevity.

Problems: the problem can be operationally defined, i.e. it affects the patient and his relationship.  Agreement about the nature of the problem and that it has a concept for both therapist and patient. It can be solved by time and allocated for treatment. Focusing on the problem is the goal.

 

Therapeutic techniques:

It is a range of models and not a unitary approach with common feature of brevity.

The therapeutic relationship: create a rapid trusting safe therapeutic environment. This could be by active listening and not to deviate from focus.

Transference:

Intervention: best initiated by here and now level and this is used to maintain optimum level of arousal. Illuminate the patient difficulties with success in his day-to-day life.

Type of the problem: avoid intervention in problems as unemployment, poverty as these can hardly be solved through therapist.  But focus on problems due to physical illness and

Process of psychotherapy:
In spite of different techniques could be generalized by:The initial phase:Assessment:HistoryMotivation

Patient sense of self esteem

Patient’s style of thinking

Preparation:

By role induction interview, prepare the patient for what will follow.

The therapeutic contract:

By time of preparation, agreement for hypothesis used, method number of sessions frequency of time.

 

The activity phase: generally it consists of further exploration and reworking of the problem and its ramifications, particularly involving the therapeutic relationship itself.

.

Effectiveness
:Proved to be effective as long term individual psychotherapy with thee experienced skilled hands and enthusiastic patient
Crisis intervention
Crisis:
When a patient faces an obstacle to important life goals, a period of disorganization, a period of upset during which many abortive attempts at solution are made.Crisis intervention:The psychological resolution of the immediate crisis and restoration to at least the pre-crisis level of functioning.
Basic concept
Coping and failure to copeCoping behavior is how we respond to a problem or threatening situation.  There are 4 types of coping behavior:

  1. Problem solving: the matures and most adaptive
  2. Regression: to earliest stage of development. Transfer problem to others.
  3. Denial: with distorted reality and may be effective if the problem is spontaneously. Solved
  4. Inertia:  reactive convenience that one is helpless regarding the problem with consequent depressive state.

Normally we use combinations of these but failure could result from, the problem is too great, too numerous, too unfamiliar. Also coping may be impaired due to physical or mental ill health, lacking support from family or from friends.  If coping attempted and failed the patient passes through 4 phases:

1)     Arousal: attempts at problem solving increases at first.

2)     Tension: due to impairment and delay with continuous distress→ too angry and too anxious

3)     Novel methods for coping: are tried as emergency.

4)     Continuous failure: state of deterioration, and exhaustion.

What are the types of problems require interventions:1-     LOSS Problems:  loss of love done by separation or death, self esteem, body function [amputation] → bereavement initially the patient is in variable degree of shock then denial of reality and grief.  Intervention at a clinical setting is helping the individual to experience, express and hence work through the affect of grief.2-     Change problem: in work, in marriage, in home, this could be a positive rewarding for new development towards maturation. But it represents real threat with sick role behavior in facing it.3-     Interpersonal: especially between spouses, family members. Intervention is by facilitation of communication with the disturbed relationship with the goal of achieving satisfactory resolution of hostility.4-     Conflict problem: if there are impossible choices. Problem solving aid by costs and benefits with all choices.
Methods of intervention:
1)     Initial assessment: this is by detailed inquiry about last 48 hours. Clarification of the patient ‘s demands and the degree of anxiety, agitation or suicide risk.2)     Intensive care: restore the patient’s de-compensation to normal coping state as quickly as possible. Organize things to take over the immediate task. Removal of the patient from stressful environment. Lower the arousal and distress and reinforce the appropriate communication. Show concern, warmth and encourage hope.3)
Crisis counseling:
In this case the patient is not treated as a sick person but s an adult with problems who is asking for help. The contract should be reached with the following procedures

  1. Facilitate affect expression: as in case of grief where cultural factors or personality factors may inhibit its expression.  Listen, encourage talking about his feelings, accepting their expressions and understanding reaction to crisis.
  2. Facilitate communication: observe during interview how communication is with spouse or family members and suggest how can be improved.
  3. Facilitate patient’s understanding to his problem: to relieve distress and identify the problems with possible solutions.
  4. Facilitate problems solving skills. [See ART of problem solving]
  5. Prescribe medications in cases of insomnia, high arousal, any features of depression, which can halt the ability for problem solving.
Group therapy:
These are Several types, aimed for symptom relief and/ore personality change.  The model is essentially based on theory of H.S.Sulivan the interpersonal theory of psychiatry.
Background:
  • Joseph Pratt was a physician in Boston used to treat the tuberculus patients in groups [didactic] and use the group climate for support. His idea was used later on for psychotic patients, first educational, which faded then psychoanalytical approach, which welcomed by Adler.
  • Then after war II several methods in group dynamics and T- groups proved to be of great benefit.
Indications:
Desirable characters of the patients:

  • Motivated for change
  • Convinced by the way of therapy
  • Able to express verbally
  • Psychotherapy minded
Those who benefit:
q  Symptomatic:   Anxiety, depression, somatization, and poor coping with work, or study performance, ineffective coping with stress.q  Emotional: those unable to express their feelings, rigidq  Self concept: those with low self esteem, lacking purpose and directionq  Interpersonal functioning: inability to achieve intimacy, maladaptive interpersonal style, lacking trust in others.
Who Poorly benefit: [contraindication]
(Suicidal, homicidal, acutely psychotic and impulse control disorder patients)
  • Severely depressed: hopeless, too pessimistic, and withdrawn.
  • Acute schizophrenia: disturbed reality testing.
  • Paranoid personality: becomes suspicious in the group.
  • Extreme schizoid: can’t survive in the group.
  • Drug dependent alcohol sigma type: intolerable.
  • Sociopath: irresponsible
  • Hypochondriac: continue to focus on somatic symptoms
  • Narccestic: doesn’t pay attention to others
Therapeutic factors: [How group psychotherapy can help others]
  • Group cohesion: sense of belonging and acceptance → security and safety. “ You won’t be judged, rejected or demolished  “ even opposition is true friendship”

 

  • Insight and learning from interpersonal actions:  behaves in the group as being in the society.

 

  • Universality: before the group “ I am unique!!” but after the group “ we are all in the same boat”

 

  • Hope: as his fellow patient show improvement.

 

  • Altruism:  patient will be helpful for others” I can be useful and I am of value”

 

  • Guidance:  didactic as in classroom situation and it can be offered by the therapist or the patient.

 

  • Vicarious learning: from others around.

 

  • Catharsis and self-disclosure:  ventilation of feelings, like anger, depression, guilt and shame.
Composition:
Homogenous group: similar problem patients.Heterogeneous group: different problemsUsually minimum   3   moderate 5-8 patients.Age: 20 – 50 [debate]Better equal sexes

Could be closed same group of patients. Or

Open: changeable group of patients.

Procedures:
Beginswith 2 co-therapists (better male and female)Once weekly, same time, comfortable room, for 12 to 18 months.Developmental: each group is unique and its development is unpredictable but passes in 3 stages:

  • In –out: the therapist is responsible to continue
  • Top – bottom: The therapist frustrates the patients and they continue themselves.
  • Near far: the intimacy and they should be close together.

Problems arising with the most experienced therapists:

Dropouts, absentism, missed meetings and lateness.

 

For mature working group who approaches the therapeutic factors. The effectiveness is facilitated by Roger’s concept   [HERE AND NOW] as best way to relate in the group. Also a [THERE AND THEN] where there are events outside the group and then implies a historical inquiry to the moment in the group.
Other Special methods: VideotapesMarathon [lots of patients for several hours]Structured experienceWritten summary and different others.
Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT)
  • It is an active directive, time limited, structured approach used to treat Varity of psychiatric disorders depression, anxiety, phobias, pain problems as well as eating disorders.
  • It is based on underlying theoretical rational that an individual’s affect and behavior is largely determined by the way in which he structure the world i.e. his cognitions.
The therapeutic techniques
Are designed to identify the reality testing and correct the distorted concept and the dysfunctional beliefs.
It consists of highly specific learning experiences designed to teach the patientTo monitor his positive thoughtsTo recognize connections between cognitions, affect and behaviorTo examine the evidence for his disordered thoughts.

To substitute more reality oriented interpretations.

To learn to identify and counterbalance the dysfunctional beliefs.

 

Duration: Usually 15-25 sessions / once weekly, taper frequency, and booster therapy after discontinuation.
Focus HERE AND NOW

Published by Dr.Adel Serag

Dr. Adel Serag is a senior consultant psychiatrist , working clinical psychiatry over 30 years.

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