Revised 5/2017

PTH 210 - Psychological Aspects of Therapy (2 CR.)

Course Description

Focuses on the psychological reactions and sociological impact of illness and injury in clients and their families, and among health care givers who work with them. Examines individual self-identity and the nature of changing client/ therapist relationships across the life span. Lecture 2 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

Psychological Aspects of Therapy is designed to help the student identify how personal values, culture, age, gender, physical ability and psychosocial experiences, influence patients experiencing acute, chronic and/or terminal illness. Emphasis is placed upon discrimination of important factors in health care delivery across the life span. Students reflect upon how personal values/biases influence therapeutic treatments. Students are able to identify and interpret constructive interpersonal skills in their interactions with health care professionals, patients, supervisors, and co-workers.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisites: PSY 200 and PTH 231.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  • analyze his/her own personality characteristics and personal values which he/she brings to the treatment setting.
  • identify the contributions and/or biases and barriers which he/she presents during patient interactions.
  • recognize when to adjust his/her personal behavior to positively affect treatment outcomes.
  • demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of the reactions of others to illness and disabilities.
  • develop skills and techniques of effective interaction in the therapeutic setting.
  • Define cultural competence and identify own level of cultural competence.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Myers-Briggs Type Personality Indicator
  • Values identification and clarification
  • Psychological and sociological aspects of acute, chronic and terminal disease and illness
  • Analyze his/her own feelings and emotions concerning death and dying and identify how those
  • feelings may impact treatments
  • Establishing effective interactions with developmental groups and special populations:
  • Infants and school-age
  • Adolescents
  • Young adults
  • Middle age adults
  • Geriatrics
  • Chronically ill
  • Terminally ill
  • Disfigurement
  • Permanently disabled