This program is essentially a fairly elaborate database (or series of related databases). During the sessions, the therapist and client together make entries into the computer program. There are six major classes of information, or "Data Types", as shown in the menu above. Each entry usually goes into one of these six classes. However, there are also several additional classes for information, including Dreams, a To Do List, Progress of Goals, Evaluations of Hypotheses, etc. An entry consists of a narrative statement, plus various other relevant information, such as date of entry, a list of key words, rating of importance, etc. The program allows viewing of all previously entered information in many different combinations and permutations.
A Historical Data entry is a description of a past occurrence (event, thought, affect, etc.) in the client's life.
An Current Data entry is a description of a current occurrence (event, thought, affect, etc.) in the client's life.
A Generalization entry is a description of an observed repeating pattern made by Current Data and/or Historical Data.
A goal entry is a description of a specific goal of the client's. It can either be a goal for life in general, a therapeutic goal, a long-term goal, a short-term goal, or any other type of goal. In PsyData, Goals are derived from previously entered Generalizations. This is because Generalizatons are the connections between Goals, Hypotheses, and Action Plans.
A Hypotheses entry is a hypothetical explanation of Generalizations. This explanation could be in the form of a psychological explanation, a biological or biochemical explanation, a practical explantion, etc. According to the theory on which PsyData is based, a Generalization usually has several possible explanations, or Alternate Hypotheses.
An Action Plan is a plan of action to accomplish a specific Goal. If there are several Hypotheses to explain the Generalization the Goal was derived from, each Hypothesis would usually generate a separate Action Plan. This is because what a client does about a situation usually depends on the reason the situation exists.