Sample Of Psychotherapists Research Articles

Advising activity—knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding the recommendation of physical activity in clinical psychologists

BackgroundRegular physical activity comes with multiple benefits for physical but also mental health and can be a pivotal element in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Clinical psychologists play an important role in supporting their patients in increasing physical activity levels. Up to date, there is only little research on recommendation of physical activity in psychologists worldwide and no such research for psychologists in Germany. Aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors regarding physical activity in psychologists in Germany.MethodsWe assessed knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors regarding physical activity among a sample of clinical psychologists in Germany using the “Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire-German” (EMIQ-G) in a cross-sectional online survey.Results454 participants were included in the analysis. Participants reported moderate levels of knowledge and self-confidence in recommending physical activity. Only 14% of the participants received formal training regarding physical activity recommendation. Most participants recommended physical activity to their patients, primarily through personal discussions and referrals to exercise professionals. About one third did not give any recommendations regarding intensity. Strength training was only recommended by a minority.ConclusionThere is a need for greater integration of information and instructions regarding the recommendation of physical activity in the treatment of people with mental disorders in the training and further education of psychologists.

To what extent do clinical psychologists working in early psychosis routinely explore trauma with their clients?

ABSTRACT Background The study explored the extent to which a sample of clinical psychologists in Early Intervention Psychosis (EIP) services routinely investigated trauma with clients. Method A novel vignette-semi-structured telephone interview approach was used. To avoid limiting conceptualisations of these phenomena, for example, by solely considering trauma as a contributory or aetiological factor in psychosis, the study was designed to allow wider exploration of relationships and other key factors. Results The majority of the sample reported routine investigation of severe adversity, abuse, or trauma (AAT) with clients, assuming broad definitions. Assessment procedures were collaborative and client-led. An appropriate context was deemed necessary before trauma was explored, including engagement and a psychologically safe environment. The overall findings highlighted explicit investigation of, broadly defined, trauma-related issues within heterogeneous approaches to working with psychosis. Discussion While trauma was one key factor, links with psychosis were complex in practice. Participants appeared to operate within a more complex understanding of psychosis than researchers may sometimes be willing to promote.

Cross-cultural adaption and psychometric investigation of the German version of the Evidence Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS-36D)

BackgroundThe implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in mental health care confers many benefits to patients, and research into factors facilitating the implementation of EBP is needed. As an important factor affecting the implementation of EBP, service providers’ attitudes toward EBP emerged. The Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS-36) is an instrument with good psychometric characteristics that measures positive and ambivalent attitudes toward EBP. However, a German version is missing. The present study therefore aims to provide a validated German translation of the EBPAS-36.MethodsThe scale was translated and back-translated as recommended by standard procedures. German psychotherapists were recruited to participate in an online survey. They provided demographic and professional information, completed the EBPAS-36, the Implementation Climate Scale (ICS) and the Intention Scale for Providers (ISP). Standard item and reliability analyses were conducted. Construct validity was evaluated with exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) in two subsamples (random split). Convergent validity was tested by predicting a high positive correlation of the EBPAS-36D with two scores of attitudes of the ISP and an interest in EBP score. It was tested whether the EBPAS-36D predicts the intention to use EBP.ResultsN = 599 psychotherapists participated in the study. The item analyses showed a mean item difficulty of pi = 0.64, a mean inter-item correlation of r = 0.18, and a mean item-total correlation of ritc = 0.40. The internal consistency was very good for the total scale (α = 0.89) and ranged from adequate to very good for the subscales (0.65–0.89), indicating high reliability. The original factor structure showed an acceptable model fit (RMSEA = 0.064 (90% CI = 0.059–0.068); SRMR = 0.0922; AIC = 1400.77), confirming the 12-factor structure of the EBPAS-36. However, a second-order factor structure derived by the EFA had an even better model fit (RMSEA = 0.057 (90% CI = 0.052–0.062); SRMR = 0.0822; AIC = 1274.56). When the EBPAS-36D was entered in a hierarchical regression model with the criterion Intention to use EBP, the EBPAS-36D contributed significantly to the prediction (Change in R2 = 0.28, p < 0.001) over and above gender, age and participants’ report of ever having worked in a university context.ConclusionsThe present study confirms good psychometric properties and validity of a German version of the EBPAS-36 in a sample of psychotherapists.

A sample of Italian psychotherapists express their perception and opinions of online psychotherapy during the covid-19 pandemic.

The covid-19 lockdown forced psychotherapists to use videoconferencing psychotherapy (VCP). There is little literature on the relationship between VCP and the theoretical orientation of the psychotherapist. The aim of our research work is to explore to what extent the Italian therapists used VCP and how they experienced the change in setting during lockdown. A sample of psychotherapists completed an on-line questionnaire including data about any previous experience of remote work, information on changes in setting during lockdown and their opinions on this experience. In the second phase, a statistical analysis of the data collected was performed with SPSS. The most represented theoretical orientations are psychoanalytic, Gestalt, systemic-relational and psychodynamic. Almost all the respondents had chosen to change the setting, opting for remote work via video calls, with no differences in terms of theoretical orientation and age group. Psychotherapeutic orientation seems to affect the type of difficulties encountered. The scientific literature on remote psychotherapy (VCP) so far does not correlate it with any specific theoretical-clinical model. Our research work offers some preliminary hypotheses about potential correlations between setting variations with the theoretical-clinical models.

"Development of a self-care assessment for psychologists": Correction to Dorociak (2017).

Reports an error in "Development of the Professional Self-Care Scale" by Katherine E. Dorociak, Patricia A. Rupert, Fred B. Bryant and Evan Zahniser (Journal of Counseling Psychology, 2017[Apr], Vol 64[3], 325-334). In the article "Development of a Self-Care Assessment for Psychologists" by Katherine E. Dorociak, Patricia A. Rupert, Fred B. Bryant, and Evan Zahniser (Journal of Counseling Psychology, 2017, Vol. 64, No. 3, 325-334. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cou0000206), the author note has been updated with the following acknowledgment: "Some of the general ideas presented in this article were also explored in the primary author's undergraduate level senior thesis project, advised by Drs. Greg Neimeyer and Jennifer Taylor, at the University of Florida." Also, Loyola University Chicago has been added to note the location of the primary author's Master's thesis project on which certain ideas and data presented in this article were based. As part of this correction, the name of the scale described in the article was changed from Professional Self-Care Scale (PSCS) to Self-Care Assessment for Psychologists (SCAP). To reflect the new scale name, the article title was also changed from "Development of the Professional Self-Care Scale," to "Development of a Self-Care Assessment for Psychologists." The online version of this article has been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2017-10882-001.) In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis on the importance of self-care for psychologists and other mental health professionals. With the growth of positive psychology and preventive medicine, self-care is an emerging topic, promulgated as a means of avoiding the adverse effects of stress and promoting professional functioning and well-being. However, the research on self-care is limited because of the lack of an empirically based, psychometrically sound measure of this construct. Thus, the purpose of this project was to develop a measure of professional self-care. Professional psychologists were the focus of study, with the goal being to develop a measure that can be used in this population and similar groups of professionals. Based on expert feedback and a preliminary study of 422 licensed psychologists in Illinois, a 5-factor, 21-item scale was created. Factor analysis identified the following self-care factors: Professional Support, Professional Development, Life Balance, Cognitive Awareness, and Daily Balance. Preliminary analyses provided initial support for the validity of the 5 factors. A follow-up study was conducted with a second sample of clinical psychologists. The 5-factor structure provided a good fit to the data with the second sample. Thus, based on factor analysis and validity data, a 5-factor, 21-item Professional Self-Care Scale was established for further study and use in future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Epistemic Orientation Short Scale: Development and Validity Evidence in a Sample of Psychotherapists

Abstract Epistemic orientation refers to the preferred mode of accessing and using knowledge and is a construct of growing interest in psychotherapy research. In this context, the main objective of this study was to develop and provide initial validity evidence for a brief measure of epistemic orientation in a sample of Brazilian psychotherapists. Participants were 674 Brazilian psychotherapists (78.5% female), aged between 22 and 78 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on different subsamples to establish the structure of the measure. Results revealed an instrument consisting of three factors (Rationalism, Intuitionism, and Empiricism) with good psychometric properties and fit indices (X 2 = 1.92, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.95 and RMSEA = 0.06). Factors exhibited good internal consistency and convergent and discriminant validity. Criterion validity was evaluated by examining the scale’s ability to detect differences in the epistemic orientation dimensions as a function of therapist’s theoretical approach. Overall, the scale proved to be a valid self-report measure for investigating personal epistemology.

“Why would you want to do that work?” The positive impact on therapists of working with child victims of sexual abuse in Ireland: a thematic analysis

Research on the impact on psychotherapists of working with trauma has typically focused on negative impact and protective strategies and supports for therapists working in this field, such as self-care strategies and supervision. Yet many clinicians speak of the rewarding and fulfilling experiences of working with those who have been sexually abused. This study explored the positive impact of working with children who have been sexually abused in a sample of psychotherapists in Ireland. Unstructured interviews were conducted with nine female therapists who work in a specialist sexual abuse service with child victims of sexual abuse. An inductive thematic analysis identified four key themes: “the struggle to talk about the positive impact”, “professional satisfaction from helping children”, “learning life lessons from children” and “the magical connection that happens in therapy”. The findings show that, despite therapists’ tendency to think about negative impact, when encouraged to do so they described finding the work professionally rewarding, experiencing an enhancement of their own attitudes and lives through learning from the children they worked with and feeling uplifted within the therapeutic relationship with the child. Suggestions are offered for future research that may provide a broader understanding of the positive impact of this work.

Development of the Professional Self-Care Scale.

In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis on the importance of self-care for psychologists and other mental health professionals. With the growth of positive psychology and preventive medicine, self-care is an emerging topic, promulgated as a means of avoiding the adverse effects of stress and promoting professional functioning and well-being. However, the research on self-care is limited because of the lack of an empirically based, psychometrically sound measure of this construct. Thus, the purpose of this project was to develop a measure of professional self-care. Professional psychologists were the focus of study, with the goal being to develop a measure that can be used in this population and similar groups of professionals. Based on expert feedback and a preliminary study of 422 licensed psychologists in Illinois, a 5-factor, 21-item scale was created. Factor analysis identified the following self-care factors: Professional Support, Professional Development, Life Balance, Cognitive Awareness, and Daily Balance. Preliminary analyses provided initial support for the validity of the 5 factors. A follow-up study was conducted with a second sample of clinical psychologists. The 5-factor structure provided a good fit to the data with the second sample. Thus, based on factor analysis and validity data, a 5-factor, 21-item Professional Self-Care Scale was established for further study and use in future research. (PsycINFO Database Record

Change in affective well‐being on change in perceived job characteristics: The mediating role of hope

Research on occupational health has consistently shown that job characteristics and personal resources predict employee well‐being. Building on the associative network theory, we claim that – vice versa – well‐being is likely to affect the perception of job characteristics and personal resources. The aim of this study was to expand the literature on job characteristics, personal resources, and employee well‐being (1) by taking a reversed causation perspective and (2) by investigating the dynamic nature of these relations in a latent change model. More specifically, we hypothesized that baseline levels and change in affective well‐being are related to change in emotional demands and autonomy, two core job characteristics for our sample of psychotherapists. In addition, we explored the mediating role of hope as a personal resource in this process. A total of 326 psychotherapists participated in a two‐wave online survey with a 5‐month time lag. Results revealed that baseline levels of and change in affective well‐being were associated with change in emotional demands. Furthermore, change in hope mediated the effect of change in affective well‐being on change in autonomy. In conclusion, the results show that affective well‐being can mark a starting point for building personal resources and changing employees' perceptions of their job characteristics.Practitioner points Employees with high levels of affective well‐being perceive fewer emotional demands at work over time. An increase in affective well‐being over a period of 5 months further decreases their experience of emotional demands at work. Employees whose affective well‐being increases over time build hope at work. This, in turn, goes along with a more positive perception of their autonomy at work.

Psychometric properties of a Mental Health Team Development Audit Tool

BackgroundTo assist in improving team working in Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), the Mental Health Commission formulated a user-friendly but yet-to-be validated 25-item Mental Health Team Development Audit Tool (MHDAT).AimsThe present study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the MHDAT.MethodBased on a sample of clinical psychologists (n = 77) with experience of working in CMHTs, reliability of the MHDAT was explored by means of Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation and inter-rater correlation, followed by analysis of face validity, distribution of the total scores, frequency distributions for each item and missing values. In order to identify possible MHDAT subscales, explorative factor analysis with orthogonal and oblique rotation was performed.ResultsThe MHDAT demonstrated good face validity and internal reliability. Three internally consistent subscales were identified. Cut-off points for level of perceived team working were defined.ConclusionsThe MHDAT meets the criteria for a comprehensive measure of perceived team working in CMHTs. Its use in a team may be repeated at different stages and would be particularly fruitful in moments of transition or review within a team.

Clinical Psychologists and Smoking Cessation: Treatment Practices and Perceptions

A random sample of clinical psychologists was surveyed regarding their smoking cessation practices and perceptions. A total of 352 psychologists responded (57%) to the valid and reliable questionnaire. The majority (59.1%) of psychologists did not always identify and document the smoking status of patients. The majority reported high efficacy expectations (66.4%) and low outcome expectations (55.1%) for using the 5A's smoking cessation counseling technique. Counselors that had never smoked were almost two times more likely to have higher efficacy expectations than those that were current smokers or ex-smokers (OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.18-3.12). The factors that predicted regular use of the 5A's included the number of identified barriers, psychologists' level of self efficacy, and the urbanicity of one's practice location.

Diagnostic assignment of criteria: clinicians and DSM-IV.

The study examined clinician matching of diagnostic criteria to selected DSM-IV Axis I and II disorders. A national sample of clinical psychologists and psychiatrists assigned symptom criteria, presented in scrambled order by axis, to DSM-IV diagnoses with which they believed the criteria belonged, without using the DSM. On average, clinicians assigned 69% of Axis I criteria and 75% of Axis II criteria to the designated DSM-IV diagnosis. The Axis II data represent increased agreement over the 66% found for DSM-III-R. Reasons for the increase are discussed, focusing on modifications made in DSM-IV and increased familiarity with personality disorders. The significantly higher rate of agreement for Axis II over Axis I contrasts with typical reliability data which suggests that Axis I disorders are better defined. Specific points of disagreement between clinician criteria assignments and the DSM-IV are discussed.

An Act-Based Conceptual Analysis of the Obsessive-Compulsive, Paranoid, and Histrionic Personality Disorders

Buss and Craik (1987) have outlined a conceptual framework and a set of methods for examining the correspondence between clinician's implicit conceptions of personality disorder (PD) and nonclinicians' implicit conceptions of everyday personality. We used these methods to develop three sets of behavioral descriptors, exemplifying personality dispositions pertinent to the obsessive-compulsive, paranoid, and histrionic PDs. A sample of clinical psychologists was asked to rate these descriptors on prototypicality for the PDs and a sample of non-clinicians was asked to rate these descriptors on prototypicality for the everyday dispositions from which the original sets of descriptors were derived. Behavioral descriptors prototypical of perfectionistic, methodical, and serious were prototypical of obsessive-compulsive PD. Descriptors prototypical of mistrustful, suspicious, and oversensitive were prototypical of paranoid PD; and descriptors prototypical of self-dramatizing and vain were prototypical of histrion...

A study of eclectic views.

The present study reports on the views of 1S4 clinical psychologists who had designated themselves as eclectics in a previous survey. Both communalities and differences were found among the respondents' characterizations of their theoretical views, as well as a great diversity of combinations of theoretical views and therapeutic techniques. A common theme was that no current was adequate for handling the diversity of clients seen in practice and that clinicians must select the approach that best fits a given client. The findings appear to have some implications for research on psychotherapy . In a recent survey of theoretical orientations among a sample of clinical psychologists, it was found that a majority of the sample labeled themselves as eclectics (Garfield & Kurtz, 1974). This was clearly the dominant orientation reported, an increase in adherence to an eclectic viewpoint was reflected as compared with a comparable survey reported some years earlier (Kelly, 1961). In contrast, the number adhering to psychoanalyti c and related orientations had decreased from 417o in the previous survey to 19% in the 1974 survey. Although the latter drop was not totally unexpected, the shift appeared to be primarily toward the eclectic view, rather than to such currently popular orientations as learning theory and humanistic, which increased by only 1 percentage point each and together accounted for slightly less than 13% of the sample. Clearly, a significant shift toward an eclectic view appears to have taken place, with almost 55% of those surveyed identifying themselves as eclectics. Because of this heavy emphasis on an eclectic orientation, it was deemed worthwhile to conduct an additional inquiry concerning this point of view. Most individuals understand that an eclectic does not follow one specific theoretical view but instead draws We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Robert Assacl in tabulating the replies received and to thank the 1S4 psychologists who participated in this study. Requests for reprints should be sent to Sol Gar