"Self-help treatment books and the commercialization of psychotherapy": Comment.

Asserts that G. M. Rosen (see record 1987-16844-001), in his statements about self-help books, failed to consider what is involved in selling books on any subject. It is acknowledged that some publishers' claims go beyond the author's intentions. The author attempts to place publishing into perspective for those psychologists who want to publish books that should be read by a general audience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-help task forces revisited: A reply to Dr. Lowman.

Addresses comments by R. L. Lowman (see record 1994-34536-001) about G. M. Rosen's (see record 1993-42527-001) discussion of the American Psychological Association's response to self-help therapies. Instances of apparent misinformation regarding the origin of task forces or work groups, failure to endorse work group recommendations, and suppression of work group documents are clarified. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology.

The APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology is awarded on an annual basis by the Board of Professional Affairs (BPA) and the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) to a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding practice and application of psychology. Award winners from 2002-2005 are listed. This document includes the citation awarded to Renée E. DeRouin, winner of the 2005 APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology. A brief biography and a selected bibliography of the DeRouin accompany the citation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Singling out self-administered behavior therapies for professional overview: A comment on Rosen.

Discusses problems surrounding G. M. Rosen's (see record 1976-24485-001) recommendation that a committee within the American Psychological Association be established to monitor the self-administered behavior therapies. The lack of emphasis on other self-help materials is examined. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using the media to foster self-help groups.

Describes a project that consisted of putting ongoing self-help groups on the radio for 1 hr a week. The 1st half hour each week involved an actual session of a self-help group; during the 2nd half hour, calls from the audience were taken and answered by members of the group. The groups were directed at helping women cope wth motherhood, at men who abused their wives or children, and at parents of children with behavior problems. Increases in referral calls to each group were found after the self-help groups went on the air. Process recordings of the shows were useful in documenting the communication patterns employed during the shows. A panel of 12 mental health professionals judged that the programs did not provide unethical, harmful, or inaccurate information. The present project provided a demonstration of how researchers can work collaboratively with media and self-help groups in monitoring change in community-level types of interventions. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"If this be research…": Rejoinder.

In response to A. A. Lazarus's 1990 critique of Strupp's (see record 1989-26817-001) review of psychotherapy research, it is noted that a substantial proportion of psychotherapy clients do not have readily targeted symptoms and that meta-analytical reviews tend toward the conclusion that psychosocial therapies are relatively equal in efficacy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Some comments on "Energy psychology: A review of the evidence": Premature conclusions based on incomplete evidence?

A review of the evidence on energy psychology (EP) was published in this journal (see record 2008-07317-008). Although Feinstein’s stated intention of reviewing the evidence is one we support, we noted that important EP studies were omitted from the review that did not confirm the claims being made by EP proponents. We also identify other problems with the review, such as the lack of specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, misportrayal of criticism of EP, incorrectly characterizing one of the studies as a randomized clinical trial, and lack of disclosure regarding an EP-related business. We note that in the American Psychological Association, decisions on classification of therapies as empirically supported are most rightfully the function of Division 12-appointed committees of psychologists. It is not enough for any one individual or group of proponents of a particular approach to make such a determination. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

2006 Award Winners: APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology.

The APA/APAGS Award for Distinguished Graduate Student in Professional Psychology is awarded on an annual basis by the Board of Professional Affairs (BPA) and the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS) to a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding practice and application of psychology. A qualified candidate must demonstrate exemplary performance in working with an underserved population in an applied setting or have developed an innovative method for delivering health services to an underserved population. This document lists the winners of this award from 2002 to 2006, and provides the citation, brief profile, and selected bibliography for the 2006 recipient, Mona M. Amer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Self-help approaches for obesity and eating disorders: Research and practice.

Reviews the book, Self-help approaches for obesity and eating disorders: Research and practice edited by Janet D. Latner and G. Terence Wilson (see record 2007-11980-000). This book is an edited text that provides a review of research findings in this area and a discussion of practical strategies related to implementing self-help. The intended audience is researchers and clinicians, and the book provides a good balance of literature review and consideration of practical issues that should meet the needs of both. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of self-help materials for anxiety and depression in mental health services: A national survey of psychologists in Norway.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 42(3) of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (see record 2011-11548-002). The author's affiliations were listed incorrectly. The correct affiliations are in the correction.] How do psychologists in clinical practice perceive and use self-help materials for clients with anxiety and depression? The use of self-help materials with guidance from a therapist has been suggested as a way of meeting the increasing need for mental health services. The present study investigated factors relevant to the use of self-help materials for the treatment of anxiety and depression among psychologists employed in mental health services. Among 1863 eligible clinical psychologists in Norway, 815 (43.7%) participated in a national survey. A total of 93.5% of the participants had recommended self-help materials to clients, and approximately half (55.1%) had received requests from their clients regarding self-help materials. Self-help materials were recommended as an adjunct and not as an alternative to therapist contact by 73.0% of respondents, by 16.6% for relapse prevention, and by 1.2% to clients on a waiting list. Internet/computer-based programs were recommended by 2.2% of the participants. The practitioner's previous use of self-help materials to enhance his or her therapy skills and knowledge of self-help materials was related to use of self-help materials with clients. Psychologists working in child mental health services recommended self-help less often than those working in adult services. These results have implications for future efforts to disseminate effective self-help materials through increased attention toward self-help interventions in training and clinical practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Announcement by Riecken of the Rosen Bequest.

Reports that the Trustees of the American Psychological Foundation have accepted with gratitude the bequest of Esther Katz Rosen. In her will, Dr. Rosen made the American Psychological Foundation the residuary beneficiary of her estate, to be used "for the advancement and application of knowledge about gifted children," giving the Trustees fairly broad discretion in interpreting those terms. The size of the Esther Katz Rosen fund is not yet precisely known since the estate is still being settled, but the bequest is a substantial as well as a generous one. Esther Katz Rosen, who died at the age of 77 last April 13, was a practicing clinical psychologist as well as a civic leader in Philadelphia for more than 35 years, specializing in work with children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychologists' ethical responsibilities in the Internet-based groups: Issues, strategies, and a call for dialogue.

How can psychologists participate ethically as facilitators, advisers, and peer members in Internet-based groups? The astonishing growth of Internet technology and on-line groups has outpaced the development of formal ethical guidelines for psychologists involved in on-line groups. This article provides an initial appraisal of psychologists' ethical responsibilities in discussion, support, and self-help groups that operate on the Internet and offers practical strategies for avoiding ethical problems. By presenting initial strategies and guidelines for ethical behavior in Internet-based groups, the authors hope to stimulate the field to further discuss and analyze these issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Casebook for Providers of Psychological Services.

The Committee on Professional Standards (COPS) of the Board of Professional Affairs (BPA) is the APA governance committee charged with the responsibility for development and interpretation of the Association's quality assurance policy. In its initial charge to COPS, BPA asked the committee to develop a "casebook for providers of psychological services." The goal of the casebook would be the implementation of the Specialty Guidelines for the Delivery of Services by Clinical (Counseling, Industrial/Organizational, School) Psychologists (approved by Council in January 1980). The focus of the cases would be quality assurance problems that came to the attention of COPS directly or through other governance bodies such as the Committee on Academic Freedom and Conditions of Employment or the Committee on Scientific and Professional Ethics and Conduct, COPS would be responsible for developing three or four cases per year, with these cases appearing in the June archival issue of the American Psychologist. This report contains the first three cases, developed by COPS during its October 1980 meeting and approved for publication by the Board of Professional Affairs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-help groups: A referral resource for professional therapists.

Discusses the nature, structure, limitations, and potential of self-help organizations. The effective utilization of self-help organizations requires the referring therapist's awareness of the goals, methods, and services provided by the group and evaluation of the unique needs of potential group members. The value of self-help groups may depend on appropriate referral by psychotherapists. (48 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Comment on summary report of journal operations": Comment on Roediger.

Comments on an article by H. L. Roediger III (see record 1990-58906-001) concerning the number of subscribers to APA journals. Roediger concluded that most APA members feel no need to keep up with the work in the primary journals. Blackman points out that many people keep up with journals by reading in university and hospital libraries, by sending for reprints of studies abstracted in Psychological Abstracts, and by other literature review methods. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Use of self-help materials for anxiety and depression in mental health services: A national survey of psychologists in Norway": Correction to Nordgreen and Havik (2011).

Reports an error in "Use of self-help materials for anxiety and depression in mental health services: A national survey of psychologists in Norway" by Tine Nordgreen and Odd E. Havik (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2011[Apr], Vol 42[2], 185-191). The authors' affiliations were listed incorrectly. The correct affiliations are provided in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2011-08009-010.) How do psychologists in clinical practice perceive and use self-help materials for clients with anxiety and depression? The use of self-help materials with guidance from a therapist has been suggested as a way of meeting the increasing need for mental health services. The present study investigated factors relevant to the use of self-help materials for the treatment of anxiety and depression among psychologists employed in mental health services. Among 1863 eligible clinical psychologists in Norway, 815 (43.7%) participated in a national survey. A total of 93.5% of the participants had recommended self-help materials to clients, and approximately half (55.1%) had received requests from their clients regarding self-help materials. Self-help materials were recommended as an adjunct and not as an alternative to therapist contact by 73.0% of respondents, by 16.6% for relapse prevention, and by 1.2% to clients on a waiting list. Internet/computer-based programs were recommended by 2.2% of the participants. The practitioner's previous use of self-help materials to enhance his or her therapy skills and knowledge of self-help materials was related to use of self-help materials with clients. Psychologists working in child mental health services recommended self-help less often than those working in adult services. These results have implications for future efforts to disseminate effective self-help materials through increased attention toward self-help interventions in training and clinical practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The authoritative guide to self-help books.

Reviews the book, The authoritative guide to self-help books by J. W. Santrock, A. M. Minnett, and B. C. Campbell (see record 1994-98055-000). This text is the result of an extensive survey of psychologists regarding the self-help literature. It is directed both to lay and professional audiences. The guide is a relatively concise, well-written text that has been very thoroughly and painstakingly constructed. It contains individual reviews of every text listed in the original survey, under criteria set by the authors with respect to frequency of ratings. The guide also is distinctive in that it not only appraises books that the survey indicated were valuable resources, but it also identifies texts that were panned in the original survey material. On the negative side, as far as treatment is concerned, readers will probably note a relatively strong cognitive bias in such topical areas as Depression and Anxiety. This may be a result of the population of psychologists who comprised the original survey. For an audience of therapists, however, the principle difficulty with the guide is the lack of a self-help text on the therapy process itself. However, the reviewer found the book to be a very useful and stimulating resource, and suggests it to any therapist who values self-help books as an adjunct to treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)