Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy

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

The Effects of Social Media on Self-Esteem
Bridging Practice & Research+2 more

The Effects of Social Media on Self-Esteem

This paper will discuss the impact of social media on an individual’s self-esteem in different stages of development through a psychosocial lens. Psychosocial theory of human development focuses on the inner world of an individual who is trying to find a sense of self in society. “The process of growth results from the interaction of […]

Hannah Belisle, BA + 1 more

Hannah Belisle, BA + 1 more

June 3, 2025

Empathy in Chinese Culture: The Role of Differential Mode of Association
Bridging Practice & Research+2 more

Empathy in Chinese Culture: The Role of Differential Mode of Association

Empathy is a fundamental concept in psychotherapy. As a robust predictor of client outcomes (Elliott et al., 2018), its importance is self-evident. Most therapists are able to recognize the significance of empathy when they first begin their training, and additionally spend a significant amount of time learning how to practice empathy. However, both trainees and […]

Xu Zhu, PhD + 2 more

Xu Zhu, PhD + 2 more

April 9, 2025

Understanding the Core Principles and Techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Part II
Bridging Practice & Research+1 more

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

Ray Lynn Kaidbay, MSc, DTLLP

March 17, 2025

Empirically-Derived, Personal Theory of Therapeutic Change
Bridging Practice & Research+1 more

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

Ray Lynn Kaidbay, MSc, DTLLP

March 17, 2025

Pregnancy and Eating Disorders Among Cisgender Women
Bridging Practice & Research+2 more

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

Zoe Ross-Nash, PsyD + 1 more

March 3, 2025

Abuse and Burnout in Health Profession Workplace Environments
Assessment & Treatment+2 more

Abuse and Burnout in Health Profession Workplace Environments

The concept of a work environment, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, has shifted immensely. Work environment encompasses the system, people, responsibilities, salary, location, structure, and conditions where one completes expected tasks. Unsurprisingly, one’s work environment has a significant impact on productivity and overall well-being. It is estimated that 80% of difficulties regarding employee productivity are […]

Zoe Ross-Nash, PsyD + 1 more

Zoe Ross-Nash, PsyD + 1 more

February 9, 2025

Should the Mental Health of Psychotherapists Be One of the Transtheoretical Principles of Change?
Bridging Practice & Research+2 more

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

Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP + 2 more

February 9, 2025

Best Practices in Psychedelic-Assisted Group Psychotherapy
Assessment & Treatment+2 more

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

Gabriella Rodriguez, B.A. + 1 more

February 5, 2025

Associations Between Generalized Shame and Emotional Processing Difficulties Among Individuals Seeking Mental Health Care
Assessment & Treatment+2 more

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

Alicia Spidel, PhD + 1 more

January 20, 2025

Making Space for Spirituality While Treating Substance Use Disorders
Assessment & Treatment+2 more

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

Aileen Rands, MS

January 4, 2025

Shame and Other Self-Devaluing Schemas in Suicidal Persons
Assessment & Treatment+2 more

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

Samuel Knapp, Ed.D., ABPP

December 18, 2024

Treatment of Suicidality in Adolescents with a History of Concussions
Assessment & Treatment+2 more

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

Kayela Malewitz, BA + 1 more

December 18, 2024