Elements of Ethical Psychology: Comparing Major Approaches to Clinical Psychology in Treating Depressive Disorder

Elements of ethical psychology
• This presentation is aimed at Comparing
and contrasting the major approaches to
clinical psychology in relation to treatment
of depressive disorder.
• The major approaches to clinical
psychology in relation to depressive
disorder that will be discussed in this
presentation are psychodynamic, cognitive-
behavioral psychology , humanistic and
family systems approaches.

Psychodynamic approach
• This approach began with psychoanalysis and Sigmund
Freud.
• Basic philosophy in this approach is that people are driven
by unconscious drives and shaped by early unresolved
childhood experiences.
• The goals of this approach are to: assist in finding ways of
satisfying frustrated needs ; reverse psychotherapy;
provide conditions for normal development of
psychosexual and psychosocial aspects; facilitate realistic
self view development; and help in building a healthy and
integrated ego (Atkinson & Wells, 2000).

Cont...
• Psychodynamic therapy does not apply much of exercises and
activities like the other types of therapy.
• It applies five major tools and techniques: psychodynamic
diagnostic manual; Rorschach inkblots; Freudian slip; free
association; and dream analysis.
• This approach, like other therapy approaches, applies meta-
cognition, prevention and treatment strategies in dealing with
depressive disorders.
• These strategies are communicated through the psycho-education
methods.
• This method would be effective in treatment of depressive disorder
in young people, however, the benefits are realized after a long
time.