Islands of health: Implications of academic psychology for psychotherapy technique and integration.

Recent research in academic psychology, particularly in areas pertaining to healthy illusion, has significant relevance to integrative psychotherapy, on both a technical and a conceptual level. The concept of healthy illusion can help us conceptually integrate--find common threads between--apparently disparate schools of psychotherapy. The cognitive-behavioral techniques of collaborative empiricism, manageable goal setting, and changes in self-talk; many of the dialectical-behavioral techniques used to balance acceptance and change, and to embrace paradox; the psychoanalytic concepts, and related techniques, of sublimation, self-object, internalization, transitional phenomena, and idealization have important links to the nourishing of positive illusion in therapy. The concept of healthy illusion also lends us some new integrative techniques, such as searching out, broadening, and even creating idealized figures and internalized objects, aside from the therapist. This research, in fact, challenges some of our most fixed and favorite beliefs about the process of therapy--particularly about the paramount importance of facing and accepting reality. Finally, the positive illusion research sheds some light on the difficulties of defining psychological health, hope, and resiliency. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The future of psychotherapy integration: A roundtable.

This article provides a compilation of forecasts on the future of psychotherapy integration from 22 prominent figures in the integration movement. Contributors succinctly addressed questions on desirable practice, research, theoretical, and training directions for the movement. Contributors also responded to the question, What would you like the field of psychotherapy integration to look like in 25 years? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Contextualizing discourse on a philosophy of science for psychotherapy integration.

The present article introduces the second installment of this special section (Anchin, 2005) and focuses on the conjunction between philosophy of science and psychotherapy integration. The author suggests that the current state of research in the integrative field offers a timely opportunity for discussion and debate about a philosophy of science appropriately suited to the distinctive nature of psychotherapy integration. To contextualize such discourse, the principal domains of interest in philosophy of science are described, followed by discussion of the two opposing philosophical positions, naturalism and antinaturalism, that have long dominated debates about scientific knowledge in the social sciences. The divergent modes of inquiry spawned by these two positions are then examined, followed by discussion of the degree of impact each mode of inquiry has had on guiding psychotherapy research. The author puts forward core dimensions of a scientific paradigm for psychotherapy integration logically and operationally consistent with the epistemological pluralism of integrative theory and practice; noted, as well, are benefits for psychotherapy integration, and for psychotherapy research and the discipline of psychology more broadly. Against this backdrop, central themes of Robert Elliott's (2008) ensuing analysis and Robert Woolfolk's and Frank Richardson's (2008) commentary are highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating an emotion-focused approach to treatment into psychotherapy integration.

A truly integrative approach to treatment needs to combine methods of working with affect, cognition, and behavior, but established principles of affective change are sorely missing in the literature. Emotion theory and research suggests that emotion awareness, regulation, and transformation are 3 major principles of emotional change. In addition to these principles, 3 general factors that help guide integrative intervention in their use are discussed. Intervention should be guided by the source of the affect involved in the client's distress (amygdala- or prefrontal cortex-generated emotion), the type of affect dysregulation involved (too much or too little emotion), and the type of change process to be used (quick change to improve coping or longer change to restructure character). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personal pathways in psychotherapy integration.

This article traces the pathways that led the author to his current integrative perspective on psychotherapy. Such perspective is described as an attempt to cope with repeated confrontations with the complexity of human functioning, as revealed by the seductiveness of major intellectual traditions, the untamable nature of clinical reality, and the challenge of unexpected empirical findings. The article also outlines the author's current and future integrative efforts, both in terms of training and research. Recommendations for the future of the integration movement, as well as the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integrations, are also suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assimilative integration in constructivist psychotherapy.

Assimilative integration is discussed in relationship to constructivist psychotherapy. Keeping in mind the assimilative integrationist view that it is important to provide a coherent justification when importing therapy techniques across theoretical orientations, the utilization of three techniques is discussed from a constructivist perspective-using relational countertransference, disputing irrational beliefs, and self-monitoring. The notion of meaning-based practice (MBP) is introduced as a unifying rationale for incorporating nonconstructivist techniques into constructivist therapeutic practice. Examples from a therapy case in which using relational countertransference, disputing irrational beliefs, and self-monitoring were assimilated into a constructivist perspective are described and analyzed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Attachment theory and psychotherapy integration: An introduction and review of the literature.

As an introduction to the special issue on attachment theory as a foundation for psychotherapy integration, this article will review the uses to which the theory has been employed by integrative theorists and clinicians during the past four decades. Reasons that this theory has been so influentially within psychotherapy integration are discussed, as are some of the models that are explicitly based on attachment theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Edward Shoben, Jr.: Overlooked pioneer of psychotherapy integration.

In 1949, a year before Dollard and Miller (1950) published their milestone of psychotherapy integration, Edward Shoben, Jr., published a lesser-known, but no less groundbreaking, learning theory analysis of the psychotherapy process (see record 1950-01904-001). By doing so, he challenged the therapists of his day to reconsider the mutative factors in psychotherapy. He was largely ignored by practitioners but was influential in the development of behavior therapy. By bridging the substantial gap separating the academic learning theorists and predominantly psychoanalytic practitioners of his day and seeking out common mutative factors, Shoben was a true pioneer of psychotherapy integration. This article explores his contribution with particular emphasis on the importance of his ideas and their influence on current practices. In addition, criticisms of his approach as well as theoretical and political factors that may have contributed to his relative obscurity are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Narrative psychology and psychotherapy integration.

Bruner (1986) and Sarbin (1986) have argued that people make sense of living by actively constructing stories containing characters moving toward goals through time. Both content and structure in these narratives are understood as promoting either flexible, adaptive functioning or psychological distress. Theories of psychotherapy can also be seen as stories about human function and dysfunction that incorporate many of the same ideas about reality, human nature and change that are found in clients' personal narratives. This narrative perspective, then, suggests that the therapeutic alliance might be improved and an integrative use of different theories might be made by selecting therapeutic approaches and interventions based on the degree of similarity between the nature of the client's life story and the story of human functioning incorporated in the theory. A classification of theories, examples of classification of client stories and some issues of implementation of this integrative proposal are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Training issues in psychotherapy integration: A commentary.

This article is a commentary on A. J. Consoli and C. M. Jester's (see record 2006-01691-002) and J. Gold's (see record 2006-01691-003) eloquent and stimulating reflections on training in psychotherapy integration. Three issues are addressed: (a) the timing of an integrative perspective in training, (b) the potential merits of "hero worshiping" at an early phase of training, and (c) some misconceptions about training in "pure-form" psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Decision making and psychotherapy integration: Theoretical considerations, preliminary data, and implications for future research.

In recent years, a number of publications have called for investigation of how psychotherapists make treatment decisions in clinical practice. This recommendation is particularly salient for psychotherapy integration, as studies have consistently shown that a plurality of American clinicians consider themselves to be either "eclectic" or "integrative" in theoretical orientation. Yet, the research on clinician decision making in psychotherapy is in its infancy. This article examines the need for decision-making research in psychotherapy integration, as well as aspects of psychotherapy integration that are targets for research and possible theoretical frameworks for understanding decision-making processes of integrative psychotherapists. A preliminary study provides data from practicing psychotherapists to illustrate these points. Finally, implications and directions for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Competency in integrative psychotherapy: Perspectives on training and supervision.

Increasingly, many psychotherapists identify with an integrative approach to psychotherapy. In recent years, more attention has been directed toward the operationalization and evaluation of competence in professional psychology and health care service delivery. Aspects of integrative psychotherapy competency may differ from competency in other psychotherapy orientations, although convergence is more often the case. Despite the potential differences, there exist very few formal training programs or guidelines to systematically guide clinicians in developing a competent integrative practice. This paper attempts to distill the essential elements of competent integrative psychotherapy practice and focuses on how these might be developed in training and supervision. We address most of these complex issues from a specific integrative perspective: principle-based assimilative integration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Philosophy and psychotherapy.

In the course of responding to Elliott's (2008) provocative article, the authors tour some precincts of the intellectual foundations of psychotherapy. In particular the authors review the philosophical underpinnings of contemporary research on psychotherapy and provide a context that allows for an examination and critique of Elliott's proposals for new research methods and new approaches to conceptualizing the data of psychotherapy research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Leading researchers' consensus on psychotherapy research findings: Implications for the teaching and conduct of psychotherapy.

We examined leading international psychotherapy researchers' views on psychotherapy outcome research. Participants completed a questionnaire on which they rated level of research evidence for or against various assertions about psychotherapy processes and outcomes. Participants rated how confident they were that the assertions were supported by psychotherapy research. Strong, or relatively strong, consensus was achieved on several of the questionnaire items. Areas for which relative uniformity of opinion does or does not exist have potential implications for the teaching and conduct of psychotherapy and for the science-practice interface in psychotherapy. Additionally, consensus about psychotherapy findings can be used as a yardstick by which to measure practicing clinicians' knowledge of the research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integration in psychotherapy: An approach from Argentina.

This article presents the distinctive features of psychotherapy in Argentina. An overview of the major changes it has faced in the past 10 years is provided. The development of psychotherapy models and significant aspects of the integration movement are highlighted. The article also outlines the formal aspects and training of psychotherapists and the main publications in Argentina. Original contributions of the national culture are offered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Concepts, processes and procedures: An introduction to the special issue on integration of concrete operating procedures.

Mahrer (1989b) described integration on the basis of concrete operating procedures as one of the more promising approaches to psychotherapy integration. In an attempt to examine this integrative approach, therapists from a variety of theoretical orientations were invited to share examples of how they had integrated into their preferred therapeutic approach interventions that were originally developed outside that framework. The articles in this special section provide illustrations of integration of specific procedures into four different theoretical frameworks. Although the articles discuss the incorporation of a wide variety of different types of interventions, as a group they suggest (a) that therapist operating procedures are understood more in terms of providing resources for an active collaborating client than as creating an impact upon the client, (b) that all therapist activities including procedures aimed at achieving problem resolution instantiate the therapeutic relationship, thus blurring the distinction between working on the relationship and working on client issues, and (c) that it is both possible and valuable for therapists to be flexible and creative in integrating new procedures into their therapeutic work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Turning ghosts into ancestors: An appreciation of “psychotherapy as a problem in learning theory”.

While once again rereading Shoben’s (1949; see record 1950-01904-001) brilliant and prescient article, the following clinical interaction came to mind. It is one that most psychotherapists will find familiar. It also serves to illustrate the importance of Shoben’s nascent integrative theory for contemporary clinical practice and for the study of psychotherapy integration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the road to psychotherapy integration: A student's journey.

This article presents the integrative journey of a doctoral student across two continents. The development and aspirations of a student integrationist from the "get go" are outlined, and some thoughts on the future of the integration movement are offered. The role of self-direction, integrative role models, flexible training environments, and the support of the integrative community in one's integrative development are highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)