NEDA TOOLKIT for Parents
• Psychoanalysis An intensive, nondirective form
of psychodynamic therapy in which the focus of
treatment is exploration of a person’s mind and
habitual thought patterns. It is insight-oriented,
meaning that the goal of treatment is for the
patient to increase understanding of the sources of
his/her inner conflicts and emotional problems.
• Psychodrama A method of psychotherapy in which
patients enact the relevant events in their lives
instead of simply talking about them.
• Psychodynamic Therapy Psychodynamic theory
views the human personality as developing from
interactions between conscious and unconscious
mental processes. The purpose of all forms of
psychodynamic treatment is to bring unconscious
thoughts, emotions and memories into full
consciousness so that the patient can gain more
control over his/her life. Whereas psychoanalysis
views human behavior as resulting from drives
for sex and food, psychodynamic psychotherapy
focuses on the human need for attachment and
belonging. • Psychodynamic Group Therapy Psychodynamic
groups are based on the same principles as
individual psychodynamic therapy and aim to help
people with past difficulties, relationships, and
trauma, as well as current problems. The groups
are typically composed of eight members plus one
or two therapists.
• Psychotherapy The treatment of mental and emo
tional disorders through the use of psychological
techniques designed to encourage communication
of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal
being symptom relief, changes in behavior leading
to improved social and vocational functioning, and
personality growth.
• Self-guided Cognitive Behavior Therapy A
modified form of cognitive behavior therapy in
which a treatment manual is provided for people
to proceed with treatment on their own, or with
support from a nonprofessional. Guided self-help
usually implies that the support person may or
may not have some professional training, but is
usually not a specialist in eating disorders. The
important characteristics of the self-help approach
are the use of a highly structured and detailed
manual-based CBT, with guidance as to the appro
priateness of self-help, and advice on where to
seek additional help.
• Self Psychology A type of psychoanalysis that views
anorexia and bulimia as specific cases of pathology
of the self. According to this viewpoint, people with
eating disorders cannot rely on human beings to
fulfill their self-object needs (e.g., regulation of self-
esteem, calming, soothing, vitalizing). Instead, they
rely on food (its consumption or avoidance) to fulfill
these needs. Self psychological therapy involves
helping people with eating disorders give up their
pathologic preference for food as a self-object
and begin to rely on human beings as self-objects,
beginning with their therapist.
• Supportive Therapy Psychotherapy that focuses
on the management and resolution of current
difficulties and life decisions using the patient’s
strengths and available resources.
• Telephone Therapy A type of psychotherapy
provided over the telephone by a trained
professional. • Psychoeducational Therapy A treatment
intended to teach people about their problem,
how to treat it, and how to recognize signs of
relapse so that they can get necessary treatment
before their difficulty worsens or recurs. Family
psychoeducation includes teaching coping
strategies and problem-solving skills to families,
friends, and/or caregivers to help them deal more
effectively with the individual.
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