Describe how a clinician might use behavioural theory in conceptualising a clinical case.

 The paper deals with the main subject of clinical psychology. In addition to this, it incorporates different aspects of the theme such as:

• Behavioural theory
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Traditional cognitive behavioural therapy
• Family domain model
• Psychological model
• Schema Focused Therapy
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
• Personality disorder

Instructions 

PPP4013 Theoretical Models in Clinical Psychology

The paper is in two sections. Please answer three questions from Section A (short answer questions) and one question from Section B (vignette-based questions). Each section accounts for 50% of the marks for the assessment.

Your answer to each question in Section A should be less than one page in length. Dedicate approximately.  Your answer to the question in Section B should be approximately three pages in length. Dedicate approximately 60-minutes to this question.  

Section A: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Answer ALL four of these questions.

Question 1

Describe how a clinician might use behavioural theory in conceptualising a clinical case.

Question 2

Describe the main theoretical differences between Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and traditional cognitive behavioural therapy.

Question 3

How might a family therapist apply the “Family Domains” model with a family in which one child has self-harming behaviour?

Question 4

Compare and contrast Schema Focused Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for the treatment of people with personalitydisorder? 

Section B: VIGNETTE-BASED QUESTIONS

Answer the following two questions based on the vignette below: 

Rhiannon is a 57-year-old woman who has a history of abusive relationships where she was the victim of domestic violence.  Her current partner of ten years has been abusive in the past but their relationship is now no longer physically abuse given her partner’s failing health.  Rhiannon’s partner has recently been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease following years of crack cocaine and heroin use; he has diabetes and mobility problems.

Rhiannon had a difficult upbringing:  her mother was a single parent and drug user.  She had numerous stepfathers many of who were violent and unpredictable and you suspect Rhiannon was sexually abused but she has not disclosed this.  Rhiannon’s older brother and sister have also had drug problems in the past and have severe and enduring mental health problems.  Rhiannon smoked cannabis from age 12, used amphetamine at 15 and was addicted to heroin at 21.  Rhiannon has been on and off methadone scripts for many years typically during a prison sentence:  Rhiannon has a history of theft, violence and drug possession.

Rhiannon has some contact with her siblings but is not particularly close to them.  She does not have children of her own but her partner has adult children and grandchildren that she sees occasionally.  Her relationship with them is good.

Despite the previous violence in her current relationship, Rhiannon describes her current situation as being the most stable of her life.  She has a permanent home in a town that she likes.  She has enough money to live on and her partner is not violent to her.  She is no longer taking illicit substances and is stable on a methadone script.  Despite this, in the past year she has resumed shoplifting typically once week.  She is not stealing items of worth or value to herself and is not stealing to sell the items.  Rhiannon was recently caught by a shop owner and was cautioned by the police.

Rhiannon has sought psychological therapy because she cannot understand her own behaviour of shoplifting and is concerned she might end up in prison again.  Now she finally has her live settled she feels she will ruin it with her own behaviour.  She admits to feeling anxious about her future.  To manage she has now started doing her shopping in another town.

1. Using a psychological model formulate your understanding of Rhiannon’s presentation.

2. How would a therapist help Rhiannon using a psychological approach (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, etc)?