Topic 15

Chapter 16: THERAPIES

OVERVIEW
The science of psychology has led to the development of various treatments to help relieve psychological suffering. These different forms of therapy are the focus of this chapter. We first consider psychological and biological approaches to treating disorders. Then we turn to a consideration of psychotherapy, including effectiveness and the numerous approaches to psychotherapy devised by psychologists. Next we examine biological, and sociocultural approaches to therapy. Finally, we consider the broad array of benefits that therapy offers for physical health and psychological wellness.

GAME PLAN

READ	Chapter 16: Therapies
GO TO CONNECT	Complete the LearnSmart Exercises for Chapter 16 Complete the Interactive Exercises for Chapter 16 Look at the web links for Chapter 16
STUDY	Review textbook chapter Review TopHat questions
WORK ON	Application Assignment 3: Psychological Illnesses

Recognizing Cries for Help on Social Media
Imagine checking your Facebook newsfeed to find that a friend has posted that she is “giving up on life.” Is it just another instance of everyday Facebook angst or something more serious? Increasingly, experts are looking at social media posts for signs of real need for psychological help (Norcross & others, 2013). One study examining the Facebook status updates of 200 college students found that 25 percent showed depressive symptoms (Moreno & others, 2011). Recognizing that amid the trivia shared on the site some individuals might be expressing genuine deep distress, Facebook provides users an option to report posts that may indicate suicidal thoughts of suicide. After verifying a troubling post, Facebook sends a link to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and an online counselor. Yet even with such resources in place, friends and parents might not know how to separate real need from the drama of everyday life.

On her Facebook wall, one mother saw the following posted by her 18-year-old daughter: “I just did something stupid, mom. Help me.” The mother asked relatives nearby to check on her daughter, who had in fact taken an overdose, and the young woman was brought to the ER (Hoffman, 2012). A dormitory resident advisor at the University of Wisconsin makes it a policy to “friend” the students on her floor. For any Facebook updates of concern, she checks in with the students in person, explaining, “If they say something alarming on Facebook, they know it's public and they want someone to respond” (Hoffman, 2012).

Social media can be an immediate outlet for our thoughts and feelings. They also provide a way to reach out to friends in need. At the end of a lousy day, it might be common to vent on Facebook. When the bad days start piling up, however, it might be time to seek help, not just from friends and family but also from a trained mental health professional.