Practice Of Clinical Psychology Research Articles

Bridging Buddhism and Western Psychology: Exploring Eastern Philosophy in Modern Practice

This paper explores the integration of Buddhist principles, cultivated over 2,500 years for enhancing mental well-being and treating psychological issues, with Western psychology. It builds a bridge between Buddhist conceptssuch as emptiness (nyat), mindfulness, conation (cetan), and loving-kindness and compassionand contemporary psychotherapeutic practices. Although clinical interest has predominantly centered on mindfulness meditation, recent research into the clinical utility of Buddhist-derived interventions (BDIs) has increasingly incorporated these additional principles. The paper examines how Buddhist concepts mentioned above can enrich psychotherapeutic techniques and positive psychology, alleviate psychological suffering, and enhance therapeutic outcomes. By incorporating these Buddhist principles, the paper aims to present clear and precise interpretations of key Buddhist concepts, exploring their existing application within clinical psychology practices. It finds (i) psychodynamic therapy utilizes the concept of emptiness and the notion of non-self to assist clients in releasing rigid self, (ii) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) integrates mindfulness techniques to help restructure maladaptive thought patterns, (iii) the Values in Action (VIA) Survey, grounded in Positive Psychology, incorporates conation to uncover individuals' intrinsic motivations, (iv) compassion-focused practices such as compassion meditation and loving-kindness meditation emphasize applying compassion and loving-kindness to enhance emotional regulation

The Fear Primacy Hypothesis in the Structure of Emotional States: A Systematic Literature Review.

Fear, an emotion ingrained through evolutionary adaptation, triggers protective responses to ward off threats. Yet, in some instances, the neural networks tied to fear can lead to psychosomatic ailments and behavioural issues, including the maladaptive type. This study aims to hypothesize about fear, probing its neurophysiological traits and its impact on cognitive-emotional facets of the psyche. A systematic review of theoretical literature was conducted, utilizing PubMed and Scopus databases. Comparative analysis, abstraction, and synthesis methods were employed, and 34 sources that met the inclusion criteria analysed. Our findings highlight the pivotal role fear plays in the human psyche, potentially serving as the foundation for all emotions, feelings, and states experienced by individuals. Treating fear and related anxiety disorders poses challenges due to the recurrence of fear-based memories, which perpetuate negative symptoms in patients. Various techniques, like hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and exposure therapy, are actively employed with these patients. However, none offer a universal solution, necessitating personalized approaches to address individual fears. MindChat may be promising in therapeutic settings to address fear responses without altering cognition or fostering avoidance behaviour, but empirical evidence supporting its efficacy is limited, and further research is needed to validate its effectiveness. The utilization of fear as a potent tool in engaging with the psyche underscores the potential value of this study for psychotherapists in clinical practice and professionals in affective neurobiology and behavioural psychology. It redirects attention toward fear's significance, urging a deeper exploration in future research endeavours.

Language as a Medium of Transformation in Narrative Therapy: A View from Clinical Psychology Practice

Language as a Medium of Transformation in Narrative Therapy: A View from Clinical Psychology Practice

Integrating Social Development and Clinical Psychology: Implications for Enhancing Mental Health Interventions

This study investigates integrating social development theories and clinical psychology practices to enhance mental health interventions. The research underscores the importance of considering socio-cultural contexts in clinical settings by critically examining the interplay between social determinants and psychological processes. This interdisciplinary approach provides a nuanced understanding of how community dynamics, socio-economic conditions, and cultural norms impact mental health outcomes. The findings advocate for a comprehensive framework incorporating social development insights into clinical psychology to create more effective, culturally sensitive, and sustainable mental health interventions. This integration is posited to improve therapeutic efficacy and contribute to the broader goal of mental health equity across diverse populations.

A Reclassification of al-Ījī’s Akhlāq al-ʿAḍudiyya into a Model of Traditional Islamic Virtues (TIV)

While psychologists have only recently become extensively interested in character development and virtue acquisition, such an interest has existed for centuries among Muslim scholars. Islamic scholars have created many typologies and classifications of the virtues building upon the tradition they inherited from the ancient Greeks. Among the most notable works in this genre is the treatise most famously known as al-akhlāq al-ʿaḍudiyyah, written by the 14th century scholar ʿAḍud al-Dīn al-Ījī (d. 756 AH/1355 CE), which provided a comprehensive yet concise manual of the Islamic virtues that synthesized the previous work of Islamic philosophers situated within Islamic scripture. This paper provides a revised classification of the Islamic virtues by adjusting al-Ījī’s classification of virtues in his al-akhlāq al-ʿaḍudiyyah. This revised classification of virtues, referred to as Traditional Islamic Virtues (TIV), adopts the four cardinal virtues of wisdom, temperance, valor, and justice, with the addition of spirituality as an independent chief virtue with accompanying sub-virtues. TIV provides an aggregation of many of the sub-virtues enlisted by al-Ījī due to the degree of overlap between them. TIV also makes minor linguistic revisions and adds a few new sub-virtues. The definitions of each of the TIV sub-virtues are constructed by drawing upon numerous sources in the Islamic tradition while still relying mostly on al-Ījī’s classification. The process of aggregation and revision has produced five cardinal TIV virtues with 31 sub-virtues. This paper further demonstrates that a review and integration of the Islamic tradition into mainstream psychological discourses can greatly enrich the holistic practice of clinical and community psychology.

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN THE EU: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BEST PRACTICES

Clinical psychology plays a vital role in promoting mental health and well-being across the European Union (EU). With diverse cultural, social, and systemic contexts, understanding the best practices in clinical psychology is crucial for improving mental health care services. This article provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of clinical psychology practices across various EU member states, highlighting effective methodologies, training standards, and systemic frameworks. The primary aim of this article is to explore and evaluate the therapeutic approaches, training and professional development standards, and systemic frameworks utilized in clinical psychology across different EU countries. By identifying and comparing these practices, the article seeks to highlight the most effective methods and propose recommendations for enhancing mental health care in the region. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including a thorough literature review, structured surveys, and semi-structured interviews with clinical psychologists, policymakers, and experts from various EU member states. Additionally, case studies from selected countries provide detailed insights into practical applications and outcomes. Quantitative data is analyzed using statistical methods, while qualitative data is interpreted through thematic analysis. The analysis reveals significant variation in therapeutic approaches, with the UK and Germany emphasizing evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), while Sweden focuses on preventive strategies and public health integration. Training and professional development standards are most rigorous in Germany and the UK, ensuring high-quality practice. The Netherlands and Italy showcase the benefits of innovative and community-based care models. Overall, countries with robust mental health policies and integrated care systems tend to achieve better clinical outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of adopting evidence-based practices, enhancing training standards, and fostering therapeutic diversity to address complex mental health issues. Cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange among EU member states can further refine and harmonize clinical psychology practices.

Regulation and applied science in psychotherapies

Background and objectivesPsychiatric and clinical–psychological practice must be based on the finest scientific knowledge. In Spain, the corresponding disciplines are official specialisations in the health sciences. The present article aims documentally to scrutinise the involvement of science in the psychotherapeutic activity of both. MethodsA non-systematic study of quality scientific literature, mainly using the PubMed directory and Google Scholar, and examination of the applicable regulations. Results(1) Scientific method: Scientific knowledge is critical, well-founded, methodical, verifiable, and systematic. However, psychiatry and clinical psychology are hybrids of the natural and psychosocial sciences. (2) Psychotherapies and psychiatry: Psychiatry uses psychotherapies as well as various other authorised treatments. The Spanish Constitution and ministerial planning regulate the best training for health specialisations in Spain and guarantee the correct use of scientific knowledge. The US National Institute of Mental Health specifies that psychotherapies should be carried out by mental health professionals. (3) Psychotherapies and psychology: As specialised treatments, only psychiatry and clinical psychology have the optimal body of knowledge for practising psychotherapy. However, the plurality of psychological–psychotherapeutic schools is innumerable and not all of them are supported by science, although their efficacy seems to be similar. Other types of conversational interventions may accompany patients and, as they are not strictly speaking treatments, may be practised by people with a variety of qualifications or none at all. ConclusionsPsychotherapies are non-formal health interventions. Intrusiveness is common, to the detriment of the best scientific information.

Development process, clinical utility, and preliminary psychometric evidence of a new tool for screening psychological distress in renal care settings: the Hemodialysis Distress Thermometer (HD-DT)

Objective This study aimed to develop, evaluate the clinical utility, and test the psychometric properties of a new tool – the Hemodialysis Distress Thermometer (HD-DT) – designed to screen self-reported psychological distress and its sources in adults receiving hemodialysis. Methods and Measures Phase 1 focused on the process of developing and evaluating the content validity and clinical utility of the HD-DT using a stepwise mixed-methods approach; in Phase 2, the measurement properties of the European Portuguese version of the HD-DT were tested against reference measures in a cross-sectional study (n = 134 people on hemodialysis); while in Phase 3 the HD-DT was translated and culturally adapted into American English using forward-backward translation and review by a panel of experts. Results Qualitative findings suggested that the HD-DT was perceived by feedback panels as practical and useful for rapidly screening psychological distress in nephrology centers. The European Portuguese version of this new tool showed good test-retest reliability and high diagnostic accuracy using a cutoff point of ≥ 6 for total distress. High convergent validity was found with reference measures that assess psychological health, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Conclusion This study highlights the potential clinical utility of the HD-DT as an acceptable, reliable, and valid measure that can be used by health psychologists in clinical practice and research in renal care settings. Data collection to validate the American English version of the HD-DT is currently underway.

Investigation of the relationship between childhood traumas, psychological resilience, cognitive flexibility and emotion regulation skills in adults

Objectives: This paper looked into the relation between childhood traumas, resilience, cognitive flexibility, and adult emotion regulation skills in adults. Methods: The sample, which is based on the relational screening model, includes 395 participants (female: 202, male: 193). Sociodemographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Scale and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire were applied to the participants to obtain the research data. Data collection was carried out online (google forms) through convenient sampling. The t-test was used to compare the study's quantitative data, and Pearson Correlation analysis was utilized to test the relationship between the scales. Multiple Linear Regression analysis was used for predictive analysis and finally PROCESS was used for mediator role analysis. Results: The investigation's findings revealed that there is a statistically significant difference between the scores of the two groups compared. Findings showed that there is a moderately positive correlation between acceptance and CTQ scores, a weak positive correlation between acceptance and emotional abuse scores, a weak positive correlation with physical abuse scores, a weak positive correlation with physical neglect scores, a weak positive correlation with emotional neglect scores and weak positive correlation with sexual abuse scores. A weak and negative correlation exists between Putting into Perspective and the CTQ, an even weaker and negative correlation exists between Putting into Perspective and the Emotional Neglect and Sexual Abuse scores. Rumination scores have a weak and negative relationship with emotional abuse scores. Conclusions: In order to prevent them from serving as the foundation for difficulties with adult mental health, it is crucial to understand the relationship between traumatic childhood events and psychological resilience, cognitive flexibility, and cognitive emotion regulation techniques. In order to assist people, analyze their thoughts and feelings, be aware of negative coping mechanisms, rigid, inflexible cognitive styles, and negative thinking patterns, clinical psychology practices will benefit from research on these characteristics.

Recommendations on inclusive language and transparent reporting relating to diversity dimensions for the Journal of Pediatric Psychology and Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology.

Recommendations on inclusive language and transparent reporting relating to diversity dimensions for the Journal of Pediatric Psychology and Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology.

Applying the power threat meaning framework to the UK education system

ABSTRACT The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF; Johnstone & Boyle, 2018a, 2018b) has fundamentally changed both the practice of clinical psychology and the understanding of mental health since its conception in 2018. However, to date the PTMF (Johnstone & Boyle, 2018a, 2018b) has had little application to other contexts, despite being of clear relevance. Once such absence of application is to the educational context. The context of power within education has been outlined before by philosophers such as Michel Foucault, however, the PTMF (Johnstone & Boyle, 2018a, 2018b) elaborates further about how negative power operations create threat and therefore lead to responses of psychological distress. Thus, the PTMF (Johnstone & Boyle, 2018a, 2018b) could elaborate on Foucault’s theories and offer more understanding on the role of power and psychological distress in the field of education. Therefore, this paper will seek to outline the PTMF (Johnstone & Boyle, 2018a, 2018b) and highlight the ways in which the PTMF can apply to education through reference to the school structure, teachers, parents and students.

Practice recommendations and referrals, perceptions of efficacy and risk, and self-rated knowledge regarding complementary medicine: a survey of Australian psychologists

BackgroundMany people with mental health problems use a range of complementary medicine (CM), including over the counter products, practices, and utilise the services of CM practitioners. Psychologists are likely to consult with clients using CM, in some form, as part of their broader mental health care. The aim of this research was to determine the number of types of CM products, practices, and practitioners are recommended and/or referred by Australian psychologists as part of their clinical practice, as well as explore the relationship between psychologists’ perspectives on the risk and relevance of engaging with CM in psychology.MethodsSurvey data was collected from psychologists in clinical practice who self-selected to participate in the study via an online 79-item questionnaire exploring core aspects of CM engagement in psychology clinical practice.ResultsAmongst the 201 psychologists, 5% reported not recommending any type of CM, with 63% recommending four or more types of CM. Further, 25% had not referred to a CM practitioner, while 33% had referred to four or more types of CM practitioner. Psychologists are recommending and referring to CM even when they perceive their knowledge of CM to be poor, and that engaging with CM was a risk.ConclusionThis study provides insights into psychologist perceptions of CM within psychology practice and how these perceptions are associated with rates of recommending and referring to CM as part of their clinical practice. These findings may inform the development of CM relevant education and guidelines for psychologists.

Ketogenic diets in clinical psychology: examining the evidence and implications for practice.

The application of ketogenic dietary interventions to mental health treatments is increasingly acknowledged within medical and psychiatric fields, yet its exploration in clinical psychology remains limited. This article discusses the potential implications of ketogenic diets, traditionally utilized for neurological disorders, within broader mental health practices. This article presents a perspective based on existing ketogenic diet research on historical use, biological mechanisms, and therapeutic benefits. It examines the potential application of these diets in mental health treatment and their relevance to clinical psychology research and practice. The review informs psychologists of the therapeutic benefits of ketogenic diets and introduces to the psychology literature the underlying biological mechanisms involved, such as modulation of neurotransmitters, reduction of inflammation, and stabilization of brain energy metabolism, demonstrating their potential relevance to biopsychosocial practice in clinical psychology. By considering metabolic therapies, clinical psychologists can broaden their scope of biopsychosocial clinical psychology practice. This integration provides a care model that incorporates knowledge of the ketogenic diet as a treatment option in psychiatric care. The article emphasizes the need for further research and training for clinical psychologists to support the effective implementation of this metabolic psychiatry intervention.

Cognitive-behavioral reciprocity: Testing the bidirectional relationship between antisocial cognition and delinquency.

Although reciprocity between variables is a topic of interest in the field of criminology, we cannot simply assume that all or even most criminological relationships are bidirectional without testing them empirically. The objective of the current investigation was to test whether delinquency and antisocial cognition are reciprocally or bidirectionally related. The hypotheses evaluated as part of the present study proposed that antisocial cognition would predict delinquency, delinquency would predict antisocial cognition, and bidirectional models would display significantly better fit than the unidirectional models on which they are based. Using data from the Pathways to Desistance study (1,354 serious justice-involved youths), I explored whether antisocial cognition predicts delinquency and a change in delinquency and whether delinquency predicts antisocial cognition and a change in antisocial cognition. I paired two forms of antisocial cognition-moral neutralization and cognitive impulsivity-with delinquency to predict a single future outcome with a zero-order correlation and a lagged outcome or change with a partial correlation. Findings showed that 40 out of 40 prospective zero-order correlations and 36 out of 40 prospective partial correlations achieved significance, with moderate and small effect sizes, respectively. Structural equation modeling revealed that the bidirectional models linking moral neutralization to delinquency and cognitive impulsivity to delinquency using lagged outcome measures both achieved significantly better fit than the unidimensional models on which they were based. The results of this study are congruent with the conclusion that the relationship between antisocial cognition and delinquency is reciprocal and that antisocial cognition is as much a predictor of delinquency as delinquency is a predictor of antisocial cognition. Thus, both patterns need to be taken into account for the purposes of theory integration in criminology, clinical practice in forensic psychology, and policy implementation in criminal justice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of death anxiety on fear of missing out

Death Anxiety (DA) and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) are two psychological phenomena that have distinct implications for individuals and their overall quality of life. The Terror Management Theory (TMT) is utilized to bridge the gap between these constructs and extends its understanding to everyday behaviors and psychopathology. The present 2-part study examined the effects of DA and Mortality Salience (MS) on FOMO, respectively. Study 1 included (N = 220; 53% females) participants aged 18 to 38 years (M = 21.48, SD = 3.80) and Study 2 included (N = 175; 53% females) participants aged 20 to 63 years (M = 32.23, SD = 9.43). Results supported the hypotheses, where (1) a strong and positive correlation exists between FOMO and DA; the strength of the correlation weakens, after self-esteem was partially out, and (2) participants in the MS condition who reported higher self-esteem, reported significantly lower levels of FOMO. Practical implications include broadening the TMT literature to advance clinical psychological practice, where new interventions that addresses the effects of FOMO and future translational research are needed to mitigate DA and its detrimental effects. Overall, this novel discovery which involves FOMO serves as a precedent for future TMT studies.

The practice of clinical forensic psychology in Canada: Current landscape and future directions.

The practice of clinical forensic psychology in Canada: Current landscape and future directions.

Making psychology ‘just’? The challenges and opportunities of delivering human rights based pedagogical & experiential teaching to trainee clinical psychologists

There is a long history of human rights violations in healthcare and those perpetrating such human rights violations have included healthcare professionals, including clinical psychologists (Soldz, 2008; Balfe, 2016). Furthermore, individuals who have been subject to human rights violations which can include torture, discrimination, war, genocide, abuse, and trauma to name a few, are more likely to come into contact with mental health services and as a result, with clinical psychologists. Therefore, clinical psychologists have an ethical responsibility to critically engage with and examine issues pertaining to human rights, as well as their own positionality in respect of this (Patel, 2003). To support this examination, Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) training programmes should include opportunities for exploration and engagement with Human Rights violations as part of the training of clinical psychologists, however this is not currently consistently the case.In this paper the authors outline and examine the delivery of Human Rights Based teaching to trainee clinical psychologists using pedagogical, participatory and experiential learning techniques. The authors offer qualitative and quantitative feedback from four cohorts of trainee clinical psychologists on the impact of the Human Rights based teaching on their sense of self, their sense of others, their practice, and their ability to critically reflect on clinical psychology as an oppressive structure. The authors present some of the challenges and opportunities of embedding a Human Rights based framework in the teaching and education of trainee clinical psychologists and the implications of this on the practice of clinical psychology. The authors make a case that training institutions which embody principles and values connected to human rights and just psychology are likely to foster a psychological workforce that is attuned with ethics, justice and privilege.

The WHO call for urgent action to advance health equity, set in the context of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UK Equality Act

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) call for urgent action to reduce health inequities for persons with disability is set in the context of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the UK Equality Act, professional obligations and reports of discrimination in clinical psychology practice. Suggestions for immediate professional action are outlined.

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Extratherapeutic Factors Leading Criminal Offenders to Successful Rehabilitation

As systems shift from punitive to rehabilitative measures, correctional departments aim to reduce recidivism; however, an overlooked consideration is the quality of systems and interactions to which the person returns to live. In this qualitative study, we examined if extratherapeutic factors were essential for recidivism reduction. We analyzed two interviews conducted with former offenders to examine their lived experiences surrounding incarceration, rehabilitation, and reintegration. Five themes (Loyalty, Situational Stressors, Community, Work/Livelihood, Support System) and one subtheme (Hope) emerged after analyzing the transcribed interviews. Although each participant's experience was vastly different, shared meanings emerged leading to common themes between participants ‘ lived experiences. Interestingly enough, hope emerged as essential for one participant. Results indicated factors influencing change can occur, promoting successful community reentry with assistance from personal support systems. Limitations are covered along with ideas for future research, as well as implications for clinical practice in psychology.

The relationship between psychology practice and complementary medicine in Australia: Psychologists' demographics and practice characteristics regarding type of engagement across a range of complementary medicine modalities.

Many people with mental health problems utilise a range of complementary medicine (CM) practitioners, products, and practices. Psychologists are likely to consult with clients who are seeking and using CM, in some form, as part of their wider mental health treatment. The aim of this research is to determine how much, and in what ways, Australian psychologists recommend CM products and/or practices, and/or initiate referrals to CM practitioners as part of their clinical practice and to explore if these behaviours have any association with the characteristics of the psychologist or their wider practice. Survey data was collected from psychologists in clinical practice who self-selected to participate between February and April 2021. Participation in the study was via an online 79-item questionnaire exploring core aspects of CM engagement in psychology clinical practice. Amongst the 202 psychologists who completed the survey, mind/body approaches (90.5%) were the most recommended CM and cultural/spiritual approaches the least recommended CM (7.5%). Participants also reported referring to CM practitioners with naturopaths the most common focus of their referrals (57.9%) and cultural and spiritual practitioners the least common focus of their referrals (6.69%). Our analysis shows the demographic and practice characteristics of a psychologist are generally not predictors of a psychologist's engagement with CM in their clinical practice. Substantial numbers of psychologists recommend CM products and practices and/or refer clients to CM practitioners. Alongside subjecting CM interventions for mental health to an evidence-base assessment, the broader discipline of psychology needs to also consider psychologist engagement with CM in clinical practice in order to help ensure cultural-sensitivity, client safety and client choice.