Bridging Practice & Research
Delve into the intersection of research and practice, where theory meets application. This section highlights how empirical research can inform clinical practice and how practical experiences can shape future research directions.
184 articles found
How weight stigma shows up in therapy and what to do about it
We live in a society where body size is not a neutral feature, but one imbued with assumptions and meanings. Thinness is seen as a symbol of virtue, restraint, and health, whereas fatness is believed to represent gluttony, laziness, and illness. These pervasive societal assumptions lay the groundwork for weight stigma, which is defined as […]
Samantha Philip, M.S. + 4 more
March 24, 2025
Understanding the Core Principles and Techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Part II
Goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT’s primary objective is to equip clients with the skills necessary to become proficient in the management of their own psychological well-being. To assist clients in comprehending the ways in which their negative thought patterns influence their emotions and actions, therapists aim to provide them with guidance (Newman, 2008). During sessions, therapists […]
Ray Lynn Kaidbay, MSc, DTLLP
March 17, 2025
Empirically-Derived, Personal Theory of Therapeutic Change
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Framework for Change Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a prevalent and efficacious psychotherapeutic approach that emphasizes the interrelationships among thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Building on the fundamental ideas of cognitive behavior therapy, committing to customizing therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs of every client is essential. Clients are more likely […]
Ray Lynn Kaidbay, MSc, DTLLP
March 17, 2025
Pregnancy and Eating Disorders Among Cisgender Women
General Mental Health, Pregnancy, and Cisgender Women One in five adults are impacted by mental health concerns in the United States. There is nearly a 12% discrepancy between prevalence of mental health concerns in men (40%) and women (51.7%; National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2023). This divergence begins as young as puberty, where the ratio […]
Zoe Ross-Nash, PsyD + 1 more
March 3, 2025
Should the Mental Health of Psychotherapists Be One of the Transtheoretical Principles of Change?
Often, psychotherapy researchers find that their contributions to psychotherapy get lost in the discussions of complex methodological issues that appear far removed from the real-life work of psychotherapists. Consequently, few psychotherapists regularly read research-based studies, and researchers communicate primarily with each other and less with psychotherapists. Fortunately, the pioneering work of Castonguay et al. (2019) […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP + 2 more
February 9, 2025
Best Practices in Psychedelic-Assisted Group Psychotherapy
Psychedelic-assisted group psychotherapy (PAGP) is an emerging therapeutic approach that harnesses the neurophysiological effects of psychedelic substances within a group setting to address various mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance-use disorders, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders. Rooted in centuries-old indigenous practices where they were used as sacred tools for healing, community […]
Gabriella Rodriguez, B.A. + 1 more
February 5, 2025
Associations Between Generalized Shame and Emotional Processing Difficulties Among Individuals Seeking Mental Health Care
Clinicians interested in supporting individuals with emotional processing difficulties play a critical role in fostering wellbeing, as emotional experiences deeply influence cognitive, behavioral, and social functioning. For those in psychotherapy, understanding the mechanisms of emotional processing is essential as it involves integrating unpleasant or disturbing emotions to maintain focus, adapt to varying experiences, and uphold […]
Alicia Spidel, PhD + 1 more
January 20, 2025
Making Space for Spirituality While Treating Substance Use Disorders
As a graduate student new to addiction treatment, I have felt a growing curiosity about the degree to which spirituality is brought into psychotherapy. I attend a private religious university, thus my first therapy patients routinely spoke of God, recited scripture, or wrestled with interpretations of morality. This simultaneously became a sublime and perilous feature […]
Aileen Rands, MS
January 4, 2025
Shame and Other Self-Devaluing Schemas in Suicidal Persons
Those who treat suicidal patients are often startled by the depth and intensity of the anger patients express toward themselves. When asked to list their reasons for wanting to die, many respondents listed negative self-appraisals, such as “I’m worthless, “I’m a piece of crap,” or “I don’t deserve to live” (Madsen & Harris, 2021, p. […]
Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP
December 18, 2024
Treatment of Suicidality in Adolescents with a History of Concussions
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents 15-19 years of age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024a). A concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a risk factor for suicide in adolescents as this type of injury can increase depressive […]
Kayela Malewitz, BA + 1 more
December 18, 2024
A Dissertation Study on Prolonged Grief Disorder and Mourning via Social Media
I grew up in a time when social media was gaining popularity and spreading into several different platforms. As a doctoral student in a PsyD program at California Northstate University, I have gained an appreciation for research seeking to understand the intersection of social media and mental health. My dissertation chair, Dr. Craig Wetterer, and […]
Sarah Bondy, MA + 1 more
December 18, 2024
Counseling Baby Reindeer: Insight into Male Stalking Victimization and Guidance for Treatment
In early 2024, the world was captivated by the release of the miniseries Baby Reindeer (De Greef et al., 2024). Richard Gadd’s dramatization of his real-life experience with a female stalker. The series follows a fictionalized version of Gadd (Donny Dunn), a struggling comedian and local bartender in England who encounters a lonely woman named […]
Emma N. Jalili, MA + 1 more
December 18, 2024