Therapy brings together the techniques and mechanisms to help change someone. In this section, you’ll find about the most relevant therapies, the approaches they follow, and the tools that they use.
The things we’ve learned in recent years about our brain is very valuable. For starters, we know that it’s elastic and that we can change its structure. We also know that it has cognitive reserves that play a very important…
Sensory deprivation tanks, also known as isolation tanks or flotation tanks, go in and out of style periodically. Although they were originally invented to study the brain, these days people use them as a form of relaxation. Many companies specialize…
Psychotherapy is a very new branch of psychology. In fact, it didn’t really even exist until the last quarter of the 19th century, when people finally stopped believing that mental illnesses were caused by supernatural forces. That being said, society…
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) belongs to a category called “third-generation therapies“. These therapies are a departure from conventional psychological treatments because they put more emphasis on certain aspects of mental health. In ACT, things such as acceptance, mindfulness, cognitive…
Resistance in therapy refers to patient attitudes, behaviors, or cognitions that may delay or avoid therapeutic change. Usually, it’s present during the first stages of evaluation because that’s where the client may begin to question the treatment. In addition to…
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychological disorder that involves obsessions (thoughts, images, or impulses) and compulsions. Compulsions are the mental or physical actions that OCD patients carry out in order to neutralize the anxiety that their obsessions provoke and prevent…
Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions in which the central nervous system neurons stop working or slowly die, causing different neurological signs and symptoms. These conditions tend to worsen over time and are incurable. They may manifest due to a genetic component,…
Jeffrey Young’s schema therapy model is very effective for chronic psychological disorders. It’s also useful in cases when patients aren’t responding to other therapies. This interesting method integrates attachment theory, Gestalt theory, constructivism, some elements of psychoanalysis, and cognitive behavioral…
Cancer treatment is always evolving and requires a multidisciplinary approach. In addition to biomedical intervention, psychosocial support should be a part of every cancer patient’s treatment plan. Psycho-oncology helps patients and their families improve their quality of life and better…
In psychotherapy, it’s very common to use metaphors to help patients connect with their problem and better understand what the therapist is trying to communicate. Telling simple stories somehow helps with comprehension and empathy. Concretely, acceptance and commitment therapy metaphors…
Before defining what Alzheimer’s disease and non-pharmacological therapy consist of, we must first take a look at dementia. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines dementia as “a usually progressive condition (such as Alzheimer’s disease) marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (such…
Experts introduced the terms aversive conditioning and appetitive conditioning in the third generation of therapies. Sometimes, they’re also known as contextual therapies. They’re very interesting concepts because they’re directly related to our behavior. Aversive conditioning and appetitive conditioning are mainly…
In the 80s, narrative therapy emerged. The main authors and promoters of this therapeutic modality are Michael White and David Epson. Some consider narrative therapy a postmodern therapy, since White and Epson based part of their approach on philosopher Michael…
Within the framework of expressive therapies, we can find the psychological interpretation of drawings. This can be an interesting resource in the evaluation of cases. Drawing tests can be a valuable source of information about the personal characteristics of the…
Double depression is when someone with dysthymia ends up suffering from major depression. The dissatisfaction with life, desperation, and fatigue the first condition causes can intensify until you end up in a dark and incapacitating psychological state. It’s possible that you’ve…
We all have expectations. Therefore, in a way, we’re all condemned to the fortune telling bias. You’ve probably thought that something would happen in a certain way at least once in your life. Another very common thing is thinking you…
Humor is a natural therapy against stress. When you have a light heart, then the big problems don’t seem as big and the people who may intimidate you become less important. In this regard, you can liven up any evening…
When you’re open to exploring the world, you can let yourself go by using your senses. One of the most powerful is scent, the magical sense that brings you back to the special moments in your life, to good memories.…
Informed consent in psychology is related to a person’s autonomy. It’s one of the most important requirements within professional practice, and it should occur before any psychological evaluation or treatment. After reading or hearing any suitable information, informed consent is…
Metaphor therapy makes use of the poetic and literary language of stories and fables. Some ancestral cultures use metaphor therapy in one way or another to help their people develop emotionally. Grandparents and shamans tell ancient, traditional stories to do…
