Question 1

As discussed in Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR, eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy was originally developed for the treatment of:

Accepted Answer

The article specifically states that EMDR therapy was developed for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While it has been used for other conditions, such as anxiety and phobias, its primary focus remains on PTSD. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 2

To say that a psychotherapy treatment is empirically supported means that it meets all of the following conditions EXCEPT that:

Accepted Answer

The statement is asking which condition is NOT necessary for a psychotherapy treatment to be considered empirically supported. Choice D is the only option that does not fit the criteria as it refers specifically to psychoanalytic principles as outlined by Sigmund Freud, which is not a universal requirement for empirically supported treatments.

Question 3

As discussed in Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR, a type of psychotherapy that involves the client holding a vivid mental image of a troubling event or memory while watching the therapist's moving finger is called:

Accepted Answer

The name of the therapy described in the question is eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR). Choice A, cognitive-behavioral therapy, is a different type of psychotherapy that does not involve eye movements. Choice B, virtual reality therapy, also does not involve eye movements but instead uses simulated environments. Choice D, deep brain stimulation therapy, is a type of physical intervention that involves surgically implanting electrodes in the brain and is not a form of psychotherapy.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about the factors that contribute to effective psychotherapy is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Studies have found that clients are more likely to benefit from psychotherapy when they perceive the therapist as empathic, warm, and authentic rather than authoritative and controlling.

Question 5

According to the table on the burden of proof in Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR, new therapies should provide empirically based answers to all of the following questions EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The table on the burden of proof states that new therapies should provide empirically based answers to questions regarding efficacy, superiority to standard treatments, and proposed mechanisms of action. The question of whether the treatment increases the therapist's income is not related to these criteria and is therefore not included.

Question 6

An approach that is related to eclecticism, but that instead uses multiple, diverse techniques that are blended during psychotherapy, is called:

Accepted Answer

Integrative therapy involves using multiple psychotherapeutic techniques and theories, integrating them into a cohesive approach tailored to the individual client's needs. This approach goes beyond eclecticism, which involves simply choosing techniques from different theories without necessarily blending them together. Options A, B, and D are specific types of therapy, but do not involve blending multiple techniques or theories.

Question 7

As discussed in Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR, exposure therapy is:

Accepted Answer

Exposure therapy is a well-established therapy that combines behavioral and cognitive techniques to treat anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and phobias.

Question 8

As a clinical psychologist in private practice, Dr. Drake uses a variety of psychotherapy techniques. As a rule, she selects the therapy approach based on the problem and the characteristics of the person seeking help. Dr. Drake would be best described as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Dr. Drake's use of a variety of psychotherapy techniques based on the individual and their problem suggests an eclectic approach to therapy. This approach combines multiple therapeutic techniques to create a tailored treatment plan for each client.

Question 9

As Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR points out, eye movement desensitization reprocessing highlights an ongoing problem in contemporary psychotherapy. What is that problem?

Accepted Answer

The ongoing problem in contemporary psychotherapy highlighted by the article is that new psychotherapy techniques are often developed, marketed, and advertised before scientific studies have been conducted to test their effectiveness. This can lead to the promotion of therapies that may not actually be effective, causing harm to patients and undermining the credibility of the field. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is used as an example of this trend, as it gained popularity before studies had fully evaluated its effectiveness.

Question 10

Researchers studying the effectiveness of psychotherapy have identified several common factors that contribute to a positive therapy outcome. Which of the following is NOT one of those common factors?

Accepted Answer

While specific therapeutic approaches and orientations may work better for certain individuals or types of problems, they are not identified as a common factor in contributing to a positive therapy outcome across different types of therapy.

Question 11

Which of the following statements about psychotherapy is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

The statement that "the vast majority of people who experience the symptoms of a psychological disorder seek the help of a mental health professional" is false. Research shows that many people with psychological disorders do not seek treatment.

Question 12

As discussed in Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR, in the original published reports about eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, its founder claimed that posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms could be relieved in:

Accepted Answer

In the original published reports about EMDR therapy, its founder claimed that posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms could be relieved in a single session of EMDR therapy.

Question 13

According to a recent meta-analysis that compared the effectiveness of EMDR therapy to standard cognitive-behavioral and exposure therapy for anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder, EMDR:

Accepted Answer

The meta-analysis found that EMDR was no more effective than standard cognitive-behavioral and exposure therapy for anxiety disorders.

Question 14

Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR discusses research evaluating the effectiveness of this new therapy. What conclusion did psychologist Richard McNally, an expert in the treatment of anxiety disorders, reach?

Accepted Answer

Psychologist Richard McNally, an expert in the treatment of anxiety disorders, concluded that "What is effective in EMDR is not new, and what is new is not effective." The article discusses the lack of empirical evidence supporting the unique effectiveness of EMDR compared to other established treatments for anxiety disorders.

Question 15

Researchers have conducted hundreds of studies comparing the effectiveness of the major types of psychotherapy. When the results of those studies are combined and summarized, what overall conclusion emerges?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently shown that different types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and interpersonal therapy, are all roughly equally effective in treating common mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. While some specific types of therapy may be better suited for certain individuals or issues, there is no one "best" type of therapy overall.

Question 16

As discussed in Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR, research comparing eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy with no treatment showed that people who are treated with EMDR:

Accepted Answer

The research comparing EMDR therapy with no treatment showed that people who received EMDR tend to experience more symptom relief than people who receive no treatment at all.

Question 17

As discussed in Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR, when eye movement desensitization reprocessing was compared with a placebo treatment ("sham EMDR"), what was the result?

Accepted Answer

The result of the comparison between eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) and a placebo treatment ("sham EMDR") was that there was no difference between the authentic EMDR therapy and the sham EMDR treatment. This suggests that EMDR may not be any more effective than a placebo treatment.

Question 18

Researchers studying the effectiveness of psychotherapy have identified several common factors that contribute to a positive therapy outcome. One common factor relates to the characteristics of the therapist. Which of the following is NOT a therapist characteristic that is related to a positive outcome in psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

The ability to prescribe medications or medical procedures is not a therapist characteristic as it is outside the scope of their training and expertise. The other options listed are all important therapist characteristics that have been found to contribute to positive therapy outcomes.

Question 19

According to Critical Thinking: Evaluating New Psychotherapies: The Case of EMDR, some psychologists argue that EMDR has many elements in common with:

Accepted Answer

The article states that some psychologists argue that EMDR shares many elements with exposure therapy and systematic desensitization, including exposure to the traumatic memory, cognitive restructuring, and relaxation techniques.

Question 20

Most therapists today identify their approach or orientation as:

Accepted Answer

Most therapists today identify as eclectic, meaning they use a variety of different therapeutic approaches and techniques depending on the needs of their individual clients, rather than adhering strictly to one specific approach.

Quiz 14: Therapies