Psychotherapy Process
Explore the dynamics and stages of the psychotherapy process, from the initial client assessment to the therapeutic interventions that promote healing. This section provides insights into the complexities of therapeutic relationships and strategies to enhance treatment effectiveness.
257 articles found
Resource Toolkit
Competency Initiatives in Professional Psychology Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships Mobile Applications for use by clients as well as providers A free web-based system to help clinicians evaluate and monitor the course of treatment A library of scales appropriate of use in clinical and research applications An Excel file file available for […]
Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
October 10, 2014
An Integrative Relational Point of View
Abstract This article, part of a special section on the Relational Foundations of Psychotherapy, describes a particular relational approach called cyclical psychodynamics. Cyclical psychodynamics is rooted both in the relational perspective in psychoanalysis and in an integrative melding of psychodynamic, cognitive–behavioral, systemic, and experiential points of view. Central to its theoretical structure is a focus […]
Paul Wachtel
September 6, 2014
Musings from the Psychotherapy Office
Rick Hanson’s recent book, Hardwiring Happiness (2013), provides a wonderful resource for understanding human beings’ tendency to focus on the negative and ignore or minimize the positive. As therapists, we are often challenged to be cheerleaders for the latter – reminding clients of their accomplishments and successes, encouraging them to reframe how they are thinking, […]
Barbara L. Vivino, Ph.D. + 1 more
July 16, 2014
Conclusions and Recommendations of the Interdivisional (APA Divisions 12 & 29) Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships
Conclusions of the Task Force on Evidence-Based Therapy Relationships The therapy relationship makes substantial and consistent contributions to psychotherapy outcome independent of the specific type of treatment. The therapy relationship accounts for why clients improve (or fail to improve) at least as much as the particular treatment method. Practice and treatment guidelines should explicitly address therapist […]
John C. Norcross, Ph.D.
June 8, 2014
Fostering New Relational Experience
Abstract One of the most critical goals for couple psychotherapy is to foster a new relational experience in the session where the couple feels safe enough to reveal more vulnerable emotions and to explore their defensive withdrawal, aggressive attacking, or blaming. The lived intimate experience in the session offers the couple an opportunity to gain […]
Cheri L. Marmarosh, Ph.D., ABPP, CGP
June 7, 2014
Do Therapists Cry in Therapy?
Abstract The subject of therapist’s crying in therapy (TCIT) has been virtually ignored in the literature, with only 1 qualitative dissertation and 3 case studies devoted to the topic. This mixed-method survey study explored therapists’ experiences with and attitude toward TCIT. Six hundred eighty-four U.S. psychol- ogists and trainees filled out the survey online, revealing […]
Amy C. Blume-Marcovici + 2 more
June 7, 2014
Clinician Interventions and Participant Characteristics That Foster Adaptive Patient Expectations for Psychotherapy and Psychotherapeutic Change
Abstract Patients’ expectations about the efficacy and nature of psychotherapy have long been considered important common treatment factors, and the empirical literature has largely supported this perspective. In this practice-oriented review, we examine the research on the association between patients’ psycho- therapy expectations and both adaptive treatment processes and outcomes. We also examine the research […]
Michael J. Constantino, Ph.D. + 2 more
June 7, 2014
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Abstract In the middle of the 20th century, Hans Eysenck reviewed studies of psychotherapy, which consisted primarily of psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, and eclectic treatments, and concluded that psychotherapy (as opposed to behavior therapy) was not effective and was possibly harmful. In the inaugural article in Psychotherapy, Hans Strupp challenged Eysenck’s conclusions and discussed how psychotherapy research should […]
Bruce E. Wampold, Ph.D., ABPP
June 7, 2014
Assessing the Circumstances that Warrant Evidence-based Psychological Practices
In a provocative discussion of evidence-based psychological practices (EBPPs), Mozdzierz, Peluso, and Lisiecki (2011) posit that the question for mental health practitioners is not can EBPPs be used, but under what circumstances and how should they be applied. Moreover, the authors suggest that in addition to the current empirical focus on EBPPs, other areas remain […]
David Phelps
May 7, 2012
Patient Preference and Research Efficacy in EBPP
Swift and Callahan (2010) have recently published an intriguing empirical study of patient preference regarding psychotherapy. Adult outpatients were asked to indicate how much certainty of improvement (a la RCT efficacy research) they would be willing to trade in favor of “common factors” variables such as a therapist who is empathic, experienced, listens well, or […]
Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
December 23, 2010
The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy Task Force on Psychologist Psychotherapists
Report Division 29 (The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy) President, Jeffrey J. Magnavita, initiated a task force to complete the following tasks and answer the following questions in 2010, reporting back to the Division 29 Board of Directors at its October, 2010 meeting. Jeffrey Barnett, past president of the division agreed to lead the […]
Jeffrey E. Barnett, Psy.D., ABPP + 6 more
March 29, 2010
Therapist Shopping in a Client with PTSD
Question from Dr. Magnavita I have been treating a man with complex PTSD who started to see me after his transference feelings toward his previous psychotherapist became unmanageable. He sees me infrequently and has consulted with about 5 subsequent therapists who he reports trigger his trauma. He frequently emails me and occasionally sees me for […]
Jeffrey E. Barnett, Psy.D., ABPP
November 29, 2009