Ancestral voices: Narrative and multicultural perspectives with an Asian schizophrenic.

Explores the effects of traditional Asian cultural values, family roles, and behavioral norms upon the psychodynamic formulation and treatment of the case of a 36-yr-old female Chinese immigrant schizophrenic. The main principles of Control Mastery theory, a cognitive approach to psychoanalytic psychotherapy, are presented and its Plan Formulation Method is reviewed, from the perspective of post-modern theories of life-narrative transformations and relational theories of mind. Culturally sensitive modifications of psychodynamic theory are introduced, and implications of the hierarchical transference and therapist "gift" giving are discussed, with emphasis on story telling and role modeling interventions/parameters effectively used to address issues of acculturation conflicts, gender issues, and Asian-American identity formation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ideal control mastery technique correlates with change in a single case.

The authors present a study of a 16-session psychotherapy conducted from the perspective of control mastery theory (CMT), a cognitive-psychodynamic-humanistic theory of psychopathology and psychotherapy process. Following every session, measures of the client's in-session affect, the therapist's in-session techniques, therapeutic alliance, and session outcome were obtained. The authors developed a quantitative prototype of ideal CMT technique for this case and determined how closely each session's technique matched the prototype. The closer the therapist's in-session technique was to ideal CMT technique, the better the client's in-session affect and the better the session outcome, Providing ideal CMT technique was associated with better session outcome, even after controlling for the passage of time, in-session affect, and therapeutic alliance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Developing reliable psychodynamic case formulations: An illustration of the plan diagnosis method.

Describes a method for developing a dynamic case formulation and measuring its reliability that involves breaking down a complex clinical formulation into a series of discrete statements, which are independently rated by clinicians for their relevance to the particular case. It is suggested that this method makes it possible to develop reliable psychodynamic formulations that can be employed in clinically relevant studies of the process and outcome of dynamic psychotherapy. The method is illustrated by the case of a 31-yr-old woman experiencing relationship problems. Potential problems with the reliability of case formulation are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychotherapy as a means of social control.

Notes that despite considerable evidence that traditional psychodynamic psychotherapy is not helpful and may actually be harmful, psychodynamic psychotherapy persists. The failure of the manifest purpose of such psychotherapy suggests that it has a more important latent purpose, one that is in accord with the values of American capitalist society. It is proposed that this latent purpose is to serve as a means of social control. This control is exercised through the ideological and clinical practice aspects of such psychotherapy, with each aspect reinforcing the other. (97 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Managed care pharmacy, socioeconomic assessments and drug adoption decisions

The traditional dilemma of the compatibility of religion and psychotherapy is discussed within the context of maturing beyond the language and behavior of the imminent, i.e., the here-and-now. Transcendence is presented as a model for therapist and therapeutic methodology.     

Values: The enfant terrible of psychotherapy.

Cites clinical examples, personal experience, and empirical research demonstrating that the values of psychotherapists affect diagnoses, as well as the process and goals of therapy. Some therapists believe that values should not influence therapy. Thus, indirect ways of dissemination of values may be used as shown by clinical illustrations. The author holds a value-determined image of psychotherapy, in which therapeutic schools are viewed as "perceptual houses" to which the client is being converted. The advantages of making the public aware of the role of values in psychotherapy are briefly discussed. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Discovery-oriented psychotherapy research: Rationale, aims, and methods.

A critique of hypothesis-testing psychotherapy research holds that this traditional approach is unfeasible and unproductive for confirming or disconfirming theories of psychotherapy and also for contributing to a putative cumulative body of psychotherapeutic knowledge. Two approaches to discovery-oriented psychotherapy research are presented as alternatives to hypothesis-testing research, with their own rationales, aims, and methods. One consists of providing a closer, discovery-oriented look at psychotherapeutic events and phenomena, and the second consists of the discovery of the interconnections among psychotherapeutic conditions, operations, and consequences. Discovery-oriented research rationales, aims, and methods are described in sufficient detail to invite adoption by psychotherapy researchers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Active Ingredients in Individual Psychotherapy: Searching for Common Factors.

Every serious school of psychotherapy has its own theory--often only vaguely formulated--concerning the active ingredients in psychotherapy. Many of these theories are presented as mutually exclusive. The author presents an overview of some of the important, primarily psychoanalytically founded, theories of the factors in individual psychotherapy that are responsible for inducing change. It is impossible to pinpoint any single factor that is crucial in every therapy. What is needed is a nondogmatic, multiple-factor model that successfully incorporates the knowledge obtained from the many existing theories of psychotherapy-induced change. In practice, it is often difficult to maintain the traditional distinction between specific and nonspecific factors, just as it is difficult to distinguish the roles played by purely therapeutic factors--relating to the technique of the therapist--and by extratherapeutic factors. The author also addresses the epistemological status of the various claims put forward, by the many different theories of psychotherapy, concerning the active ingredients in psychotherapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A case of depression: Introducing David.

A brief overview of the client, David, is presented. David participated in a short-term emotion-focused therapy for the treatment of depression. In this paper the client’s presenting problems and history are described to provide a context for the brief excerpt that follows. The excerpt is taken from his first session of psychotherapy and was used by the four different therapists to develop a case formulation illuminating their specific orientation so that these could be contrasted and compared. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acculturation, distress disclosure, and emotional self-disclosure within Asian populations.

Research into youth mentoring suggests that programs focused on specific practices (e.g., emotional disclosure and collaborative relationships) increase the likelihood of a successful mentoring relationship, factors similar to the psychotherapy literature. However, research into psychotherapy with Asians has indicated that these factors, based on Western values, are less effective, especially with those who are less acculturated. To test the relevance of these factors within mentor-type relationships, this study examined the relationship between acculturation and distress disclosure, and the relationship between acculturation and the retrospective willingness to emotionally self-disclose to friends and unrelated, trusted adults in 98 participants representing several ethnic Asian backgrounds. Both values-based and behaviorally based acculturation measures were used. Values-based, but not behaviorally based acculturation, predicted distress disclosure (i.e., less acculturated individuals were less likely to disclose distress). Using an imagery protocol, participants were then asked to think back to adolescence and indicate their willingness to self-disclose emotions to friends and unrelated, trusted adults. Participants were more willing to self-disclose emotions to friends compared to unrelated, trusted adults, regardless of values acculturation level. However, a significant interaction occurred in an unanticipated direction using behaviorally based acculturation. Less behaviorally acculturated individuals were more willing to disclose emotions to unrelated, trusted adults compared to more behaviorally acculturated individuals. Discussion regarding the results revolved around the utility of a behavioral measure of acculturation, values and behaviors in acculturation, the role of older persons in Asian culture, and the possible role of community in the acculturation process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Humanistic–existential psychotherapy competencies and the supervisory process.

There has been an increasing focus in recent years on articulating foundational and functional competencies for practice in professional psychology and how a competency-based approach might inform psychology training. With the aim of contributing to the dialogue in this area, the discussion herein explores psychotherapy competencies through the lens of a humanistic–existential perspective and describes implications for psychotherapy training and supervision. Specifically, competencies pertaining to facilitating the client’s experiential awareness and use of the psychotherapy relationship to engender client change are described. Next, the foundational and functional competencies within professional psychology that are particularly salient to a humanistic–existential psychotherapy framework are discussed. Finally, the ways in which a humanistic–existential supervision framework contributes to the development of psychotherapy competencies in trainees is considered. A brief vignette is presented to illustrate the supervision process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence-Based Practice: Beyond Empirically Supported Treatments.

Must the clinician choose between a practice that is strictly objective and data based and one that is purely subjective and experience based? Optimally, practitioners need to follow a model of evidence-based psychotherapy practice, such as the disciplined inquiry or local clinical scientist model, that encompasses a theoretical formulation, empirically supported treatments (ESTs), empirically supported therapy relationships, clinicians' accumulated practical experience, and their clinical judgment about the case at hand. Some shortcomings of ESTs are reviewed, and a form of evidence for psychotherapy practice is presented that entails the accumulation of systematic case studies published online. Practitioners can contribute to such a database and be guided in their practice by those cases most relevant to their clients' problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Informed consent and religious values: A neglected area of diversity.

Discusses the importance of examining the religious values and concerns of clients in psychotherapy. The use of the therapeutic contract in the context of informed consent is proposed as an ethical and professional means of exploring religious issues in psychotherapy. Research is presented that indicates that while psychology continues to recognize the importance of diversity, it has not dealt adequately with religion as a diversity dimension in psychotherapy. The new ethics code (American Psychological Association; see record 1993-19413-001) is explored as it relates to religion and diversity. It is suggested that, when relevant, therapists need to make religious positions and values explicit early in treatment to meet the criteria of informed consent. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and control mastery prototypes to predict change: A new look at an old paradigm for long-term single-case research.

This article illustrates a method of testing models of change in individual long-term psychotherapy cases. A depressed client was treated with 208 sessions of control mastery therapy (CMT), an unmanualized approach that integrates elements of psychodynamic therapy (PDT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Panels of experts developed prototypes of ideal PDT, CBT, and CMT process using the Psychotherapy Process Q-set (PQS; J. S. Ablon & E. E. Jones, 1999; E. E. Jones, L. A. Parke, & S. Pulos, 1992; E. E. Jones & S. M. Pulos, 1993). Independent observers rated every 4th session (N = 53) with the PQS. Using correlations between ideal and actual PQS ratings followed by paired t tests, the authors compared adherence to the CMT prototype with adherence to plausible alternative models advocated by the PDT and CBT experts. Bivariate time series analyses determined whether prototype adherence predicted an estimated index of symptom change. Results showed that the therapist's behavior was most consistent with the CMT prototype and that this aspect of the CMT prototype along with particular aspects of the other prototypes influenced estimated symptom change. The results, which replicate and extend earlier findings, support the validity of this approach to studying long-term therapies but also highlight its limitations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Improved Formulation of One-Step approach suitable for initially non-flat configurations and forward simulation

 In the traditional one-step formulations using shell elements, the computations of the curvature variation and bending stiffness matrix are simplified by omitting the rotational DOFs on the basis of initial flat blank and fully known final configuration. They are highly efficient but not suitable either for the forming processes with non-flat initial configurations, or for one-step forward and multi-step analyses. Thus a one-step formulation based on the rotation-free BST (Basic Shell Triangular) element is presented here. In this formulation, the following improvements are made: 1) the curvature variation can be calculated exactly and efficiently resorting to a patch of four elements without rotational DOFs, which makes the formulation suitable for non-flat initial configurations, one-step and multi-step forward or inverse analyses, 2) The penalty method, instead of traditional sliding constraint, is employed to treat contacts in the forming processes, which makes it possible to inspect some deformation defects such as wrinkling et al directly. To verify the improved formulation, a program has been developed, and the bending process of a rectangular tube is simulated, with particular attentions paid on cross-sectional distortion. The numerical results of the one-step simulation agree with those of incremental analysis and experimental values.     

Clinical implications of research on brief dynamic psychotherapy I. Formulating the patient's problems and goals.

In this two-part series of articles, a model for understanding the process of brief dynamic psychotherapy is presented. The model suggests that patients enter therapy with an unconscious plan for how to get better. The therapist's interventions must be in accord with this plan for the patient to be helped by therapy. The plan concept is described, as are issues involved in inferring a patient's plan. Finally, the ramifications of the plan concept for the conduct of brief dynamic psychotherapy are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Behavioral Approach to the Case of Ms.S.

This article provides a behavioral formulation and treatment plan for the case of Ms. S (see record 2005-02680-005). Given the complexity of Ms. S and the status of current research, interventions proposed emphasize empirically supported principles of change over any specific protocol. This particular behavioral approach incorporates aspects of dialectical behavior therapy and functional analytic psychotherapy in addition to more traditional behavior therapy. The utility of the therapeutic relationship in this approach is described (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Not supposed to feel this: Traditional masculinity in psychotherapy with male veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

Traditional masculine socialization presents challenges in psychotherapy, for example, by decreasing the likelihood of help-seeking and by making emotion-laden content more difficult to address. While this has been established in civilian populations, more intense forms of masculine socialization found in military settings may amplify such issues in male veteran populations. Male veterans returning from and Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF) exhibit strong traditional masculine socialization and generally present in a unique manner. It is posited that OEF/OIF male veterans' unique presentation is in large part because of an interaction between high degrees of endorsement of traditional masculine gender role norms, relative youth, recency of distressing events, and recent experience in the social context of the military where traditional masculinity is reinforced. The impact of these variables on the psychotherapeutic process for male OEF/OIF veterans is significant and likely adds to ambivalence about change and increases dropout from psychotherapy. Modifications of traditional psychotherapeutic approaches designed to address traditional masculine gender role norms and their many interactions with other variables are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterization of the nonlamellar cubic and HII structures of lipid A from Salmonella enterica serovar Minnesota by X-ray diffraction and freeze-fracture electron microscopy

This article provides an overview of methodological and conceptual issues underlying the assessment of change during psychotherapy with children and families. Three central considerations are discussed: (1) What changes do we measure? (2) When do we measure change? (3) How do we measure change? The difficulties with the traditional methods of assessing change are highlighted, and suggestions for a new paradigm that calls for expansion of the nomological network relevant to the analysis of change, as well as the inclusion of more assessment points and more reliable and valid measures of the change process, are presented. Illustrations of key points are provided from the Adolescent Transitions Program, a theoretically based intervention program targeting high-risk youth.