Implications For Psychotherapy Practice Research Articles

Dynamical Systems Research (DSR) in Psychotherapy: A Comprehensive Review of Empirical Results and Their Clinical Implications

In psychotherapy research, the first applications of dynamical systems research (DSR) date back to the 1990s. Over time, DSR has developed three main lines of research: the study of oscillations in synchronization; the study of oscillations between stability and flexibility of process variables (S–F oscillations); the mathematical modeling to analyze the evolution of psychotherapy process. However, the connections among the empirical results and their implications for psychotherapy practice are unclear. For this reason, for the first time in the literature, this work carries out a comprehensive review of all three lines of research, including the main scientific contributions from the 1990s to the present day. For each line of research, the work critically analyzes the results, proposes future developments, and underlines the connections between empirical results and implications for psychotherapy practice. Furthermore, the work highlights the model of change that emerges from the empirical results, and its clinical correlates. In the conclusions, the author summarizes the results and the evolution of psychotherapy process in accordance with the DSR.

“There is beauty in diversity in all areas of life including neurological diversity” (Bella): A mixed method study into how new thoughts on neurodiversity are influencing psychotherapists’ practice

The term ‘neurodiversity’ describes the idea that, throughout the human population, different brain developments and structures exist. Neuronal variances, such as autism, are not seen as disorders but as variations, different from the neurotypical brain. Instead of being considered ill and cure-worthy, neurodiverse people should be included and integrated into society. The aim of this study was to explore psychotherapists’ knowledge of current trends in the understanding of autistic people i.e. the Neurodiversity movement. It wanted to identify the sources psychotherapists gained their knowledge of autism and whether terminology impacts on psychotherapists’ approach to therapy. Data was collected using a mixed method online questionnaire and analysed using thematic analysis. The results showed that participants were acutely aware of the potential negative impact of language and terminology on ‘the other’, including shame and judgement. Participants explored the purpose and usefulness of labelling and how using client-preferred terminology was helpful. Most participants felt that further knowledge and training in neurodiversity would benefit their practice. Implications for psychotherapy practice and the profession are discussed, including identifying sources of knowledge and training on neurodiversity. The opportunities, and barriers, needed for psychotherapists to support the autistic community in positive self-understanding and advocating are considered.

A Knowledge Synthesis of Cross-Cultural Psychotherapy Research: A Critical Review

This article presents a current knowledge synthesis of empirical studies on cross-cultural psychotherapy since 1980. Guided by a critical review framework, our search in seven relevant databases generated 80 studies published in English. Main themes are organized into (1) therapists’ cultural competence ( n = 46); (2) therapy process in cross-cultural dyads ( n = 22); and (3) cross-cultural differences in gender, sexual orientation, or social class ( n = 12). Compared to previous reviews on cross-cultural psychotherapy, the findings of this review highlight a broad range of methodological rigor in both quantitative and qualitative studies. Most studies examined actual therapy participants rather than participants in analog studies, thus emulating more therapy-near experiences in cross-cultural psychotherapy research. Also, several studies explored cross-cultural compositions beyond racial and ethnic majority therapist-minority client dyads, and included therapists of color as the participants, exploring reverse power dynamics in therapy and giving voices to foreign-born therapists. The therapy process research provides rich and full descriptions around the dynamic and interactional therapy process in cross-cultural dyads, which can be used to foster cultural sensitivities among therapists in their practice and training. We discuss the limitations of the studies included in the review and its implications for psychotherapy practice, training, and future research.

Psicoterapia en los Tiempos de Instagram

Se ha encontrado que más de un 90% de los jóvenes usan redes sociales y que su uso puede ser tan adictivo como el tabaco. Por otra parte, existe una asociación entre el uso problemático de redes sociales y la presencia de síntomas ansiosodepresivos y alimentarios, aunque la naturaleza de esta relación aun no está clara. A raíz de una viñeta clínica de una paciente con bulimia, este trabajo analiza desde la perspectiva de las narrativas la influencia que tienen las redes sociales en la construcción del self. Se argumenta una analogía entre la selección narrativa que se produce al construir un perfil en una red social, incluso a través de imágenes, y la construcción del self tal como lo conocemos actualmente. Se exploran, asimismo, sus posibles implicaciones en la práctica de psicoterapia.

Przeniesienie i jego użyteczność w psychoterapii w świetle badań empirycznych

The paper is aimed at finding answers to the following questions: (1) Is there empirical evidence for the psychoanalytic concept of transference? (2) Is there empirical evidence for the usefulness of working with transference in psychotherapy? Objections concerning the reality and practical value of transference have been summarized. A review of research dedicated to transference has been conducted, covering fundamental research in the psychology of social cognition as well as research on psychotherapy using both psychodynamic and nonpsychodynamic approaches. Studies from the first group confirm the existence of transference. Studies from the second group indicate conditions in which working with transference in psychotherapy seems to be efficient. Implications for psychotherapy practice have been formulated.

Self-Regulation Mediates LGBTQQ Oppressive Situations and Psychological Distress: Implications for Psychotherapy

There is considerable evidence that oppressive situations are associated with negative mental health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) people. However, not all LGBTQQ people will develop symptoms of psychological distress. Because of the importance of discerning contributing factors to the relationship between oppressive situations and psychological distress, the authors investigated whether self-regulation mediated or moderated relations between felt danger to safety, verbal harassment and intimidation, and psychological distress. Results indicated a relationship between LGBTQQ minority stress and negative mental health outcomes, and support the importance of self-regulatory processes influencing sexual and gender minority persons’ capacities to manage environmental stressors of stigmatization and social threat. Implications for psychotherapy practice are presented.

Sexuality and the 'non-intentional' implications for psychotherapy practice.

This article examines how sexuality and desire provide an opportunity to experience the separation between the self and the other, and were developed in association with the experience of working with a particular patient in weekly therapy. The main theme explored in this article is the degree with which a person imposes his or her understanding and experience onto other people around them, and thereby potentially missing the opportunity to enjoy real personal contact with another person. The work of Husserl, Heidegger, and Levinas is examined to highlight the separation between intentionality and nonintentionality. The distinction between the intentional and the nonintentional is also important in illustrating how a person can impose himself or herself on to others. A person's sexuality and desire for intimacy with another person is discussed in terms of how it provides the opportunity to experience the boundary between being for oneself and being in contact with the other; illustrating the separation of...

The process of personal change through reading fictional narratives: Implications for psychotherapy practice and theory.

This qualitative study provides an understanding of how and when individuals experience transformational change as a consequence of reading narratives. Six participants who attributed significant personal changes to reading were recruited and interviewed. The investigators used grounded theory method to analyze these interviews and identify processes through which change unfolded. The core category of the analysis was identification with characters' experiences created a safe venue to consider threat and experiment with new possibilities and perspectives. Empathizing with protagonists enabled readers to integrate new modes of responding to personally difficult situations. Implications for bibliotherapy and narrative therapy are discussed.

"Early withdrawal from mental health treatment: Implications for psychotherapy practice": Correction to Barrett et al (2008).

Reports an error in "Early withdrawal from mental health treatment: Implications for psychotherapy practice" by Marna S. Barrett, Wee-Jhong Chua, Paul Crits-Christoph, Mary Beth Gibbons and Don Thompson (Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 2008[Jun], Vol 45[2], 247-267). The fourth author's name was mistakenly left out of the author byline and table of contents. The correct author listing for this article is presented in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2008-07317-011.) Despite more than 50 years of research on client attrition from therapy, obstacles to the delivery and success of treatments remain poorly understood, and effective methods to engage and retain clients in therapy are lacking. This article offers a review of the literature on attrition, highlighting the methodological challenges in effectively addressing the complex nature of this problem. Current interventions for reducing attrition are reviewed, and recommendations for implementing these interventions into psychotherapy practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

Empirical search for psychotherapists' gender competence in psychotherapy.

Over the past half century, psychotherapy research has demonstrated that psychotherapy outcomes do not vary based on clients' gender (Clarkin & Levy, 2004; Garfield, 1994; Wierzbicki & Pekarik, 1993). However, most studies assumed that all psychotherapists are equally competent to treat men and women, thus potentially missing essential information about variations in psychotherapy outcomes. In fact, there is a paucity of studies that have examined if psychotherapists' gender competence truly exists. We propose that psychotherapists' gender competence should be defined as the psychotherapist's ability to achieve positive psychotherapy outcomes with either female or male clients. This study examined the relationship between clients' gender and psychotherapy outcomes and if psychotherapists varied in their abilities to produce positive psychotherapy outcomes for female and male clients. The sample included 93 male and 229 female clients treated by 31 psychotherapists. Consistent with previous research, the results demonstrated that clients' gender was not related to psychotherapy outcomes. However, compared to other psychotherapists, some psychotherapists were better at treating men, whereas others were better at treating women. The results of this study demonstrate that psychotherapists' gender competence exists and relates directly to the psychotherapy outcomes (i.e., psychological well-being) of clients. Implications for psychotherapy practice, training, and research are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

EARLY WITHDRAWAL FROM MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY PRACTICE.

Despite more than 50 years of research on client attrition from therapy, obstacles to the delivery and success of treatments remain poorly understood, and effective methods to engage and retain clients in therapy are lacking. This article offers a review of the literature on attrition, highlighting the methodological challenges in effectively addressing the complex nature of this problem. Current interventions for reducing attrition are reviewed, and recommendations for implementing these interventions into psychotherapy practice are discussed.

Treatment intensity and regularity in early outpatient psychotherapy and its relation to outcome

AbstractThe distribution of treatment sessions (number of interruptions, weeks without psychotherapy and number of sessions) during the first three months of psychodynamic psychotherapy (PD), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoanalytic psychotherapy (PAP) was analyzed prospectively over two years in a sample of 256 outpatients.Number of weeks without psychotherapy in early treatment was predicted by initial helping alliance in PD and by initial quality of interpersonal relations in CBT. Level of initial psychological or physical impairment showed no effect on distribution of sessions during early treatment. In PD and CBT, session distribution early in treatment did not predict subsequent course of improvement. Only in PAP did weeks without psychotherapy and number of sessions affect rate of symptom change, in that participants showed better outcome when treatment started continuously at a rather slow pace. Implications for psychotherapy practice and research are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The narrative processes coding system: research applications and implications for psychotherapy practice.

The Narrative Processes model is focused on the strategies and processes by which a client and therapist transform the events of everyday life into a meaningful story that both organizes and represents the client's sense of self and others in the world. Some investigators have elected to use clients' within session descriptions of relationship events or micronarratives as their unit of narrative analysis. In contrast, we are centrally interested in the development of the macronarrative framework in which the singular events described in a therapy relationship-micronarratives-come to be articulated, experienced, and linked together in such a way that the client's sense of his or her life story-in essence, the sense of self-may be transformed at the conclusion of the therapeutic relationship. The following paper details the Narrative Processes theory of therapy and the coding system that has been developed to identify and evaluate empirically key components of the model. Findings emerging from the analyses of successful psychotherapy dyads are described and the implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Clinical implications of attribution theory and research

Attribution work having implications for psychotherapy practice and theory is reviewed. The review focuses on: (1) the relatively extensive literature on misattribution research; (2) misattribution-like approaches; (3) attribution and behavior change; (4) the quickly expanding literature on depression and learned helplessness from an attributional perspective, including attribution retraining; and (5) attribution and relationship therapy. It is concluded that attributional ideas, broadly-construed, are pervasive in contemporary clinical practice and theory. This status of attribution work in clinical psychology today reflects the broadly-gauged influential conception of attributional processes first articulated by Heider. It is also concluded that work done to date is quite incomplete in specifying the particular role of attributional processes in such domains as misattribution therapy, the understanding of depression, and relationship therapy.