Same difference: Black therapists' experience of same-race therapeutic dyads.

Do Black therapists experience their work with Black clients differently than their work with other clients? A phenomenological study of 12 Black psychologists, social workers, and counselors working in college counseling centers examined these therapists' lived experience of same-race therapeutic dyads. The therapists described the unique aspects of their therapy with Black clients, as well as how they learned to perform that work. The implications of this study are vital not only to Black therapists, but also to educators and supervisors of Black therapist trainees. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multicultural counseling competencies: An analysis of research on clients' perceptions: Comment on Owen, Leach, Wampold, and Rodolfa (2011).

J. Owen, M. M. Leach, B. Wampold, and E. Rodolfa (see record 2010-24976-001) tested the hypotheses that (a) some therapists express more multicultural competencies (MCCs) more than other therapists and (b) clients' perceptions of their therapists' MCCs are a function of specific client or therapeutic factors. In the present analysis, the authors critiqued 3 major components of the study: conceptual and methodological underpinnings, interpretation of research findings, and implications for future research. Although the authors agree with the importance of this line of research, the authors also believe that some of the researchers' underlying assumptions are worthy of examination; alternate interpretations of the findings are possible, and several recommendations for future research are imperative. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Client and therapist variability in clients' perceptions of their therapists' multicultural competencies.

This study examined therapist differences in their clients' ratings of their therapists' multicultural competencies (MCCs) as well as tested whether therapists' who were rated as exhibiting more MCCs also had clients who had better therapy outcomes (N = 143 clients and 31 therapists). All clients completed at least 3 sessions. Results demonstrated that therapists accounted for less than 1% of the variance in their clients' Cross-Cultural Counseling Inventory–Revised (CCCI-R; T. D. LaFromboise, H. L. K. Coleman, & A. Hernandez, 1991) scores, suggesting that therapists did not differ in terms of how clients rated their MCCs. Therapists accounted for approximately 8.5% of the variance in therapy outcomes. For each therapist, their clients' CCCI-R scores were aggregated to provide an estimate of therapists' MCCs. Therapists' MCCs, based on aggregate CCCI-R scores, did not account for the variability in therapy outcomes that were attributed to them. Additionally, clients' race/ethnicity, therapists' race/ethnicity, or the interaction of clients'–therapists' race/ethnicity were not significantly associated with clients' perceptions of their therapists' MCCs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Managing countertransference.

In this article, we review the history and definition of countertransference as well as empirical research on countertransference, its management, and the relation of both to psychotherapy outcome. Three meta-analyses are presented, as well as studies that illustrate findings from the meta-analyses. The first meta-analysis indicated that countertransference reactions are related inversely and modestly to psychotherapy outcomes (overall weighted effect r = ?.16, p = .002, 95% CI [?.26, ?.06], k = 10 studies, N = 769 participants). The second meta-analysis suggested that countertransference management factors that have been studied to date play little to no role in actually attenuating countertransference reactions (r = ?.14, p = .10, 95% CI [?.30, .03], k = 11 studies, N = 1065 participants). However, the final meta-analysis revealed that managing countertransference successfully is related to better therapy outcomes (r = .56, p = .000, 95% CI [.40, .73], k = 7 studies, N = 478 participants). We conclude by summarizing the limitations of the research base and highlighting the therapeutic practices predicated on research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of On becoming a better therapist.

Reviews the book, On becoming a better therapist by Barry L. Duncan (see record 2009-22770-000). The aim of this book is provide practical, research-based guidance on how to become a more effective therapist. It was designed for those who are on the front lines of providing psychotherapy services. Two criticisms of the book—or perhaps they are simply concerns— seem pertinent. First, although Duncan’s focus on the client’s experience and feedback is a breath of fresh air in a profession that accords too much power to therapists and too little to clients, the book swings so far in the other direction that it runs the risk of making the same mistake on the client side of the equation. Second, related to the first concern, the book does not adequately address those situations in which the client’s ideas about the treatment might be problematic. Overall this book is an excellent read and a helpful guide to becoming a more effective therapist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Deconstructing multicultural counseling competencies research: Comment on Owen, Leach, Wampold, and Rodolfa (2011).

The present article offers a commentary and critique of the research presented by J. Owen, M. M. Leach, B. Wampold and E. Rodolfa (see record 2010-24976-001). Given the complexity of the research methodology, findings, and conclusions, the authors provide a concise summary of findings, study limitations, and conclusions followed by a detailed critique of the study. The authors respect and appreciate the ambitious efforts made by Owen et al. to address gaps in the literature regarding outcome research using client ratings of counselors' multicultural counseling competencies (MCCs). The authors provide a critical analysis of some of J. Owen et al.'s specific conclusions and offer alternative conclusions based on conceptual and methodological bases. The authors use the opportunity to comment on this study as a means of advancing recommendations regarding future research on MCCs that might contribute to substantive revisions to the long-standing theoretical foundation in this area. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The value and use of interpretation in play therapy.

Irrespective of the therapist's theoretical orientation, interpretation can be a very powerful tool within play therapy, supporting the essential change processes delimited by S. Shirk and R. Russell (1996). However, several issues often interfere with play therapists' optimal use of interpretation. One is the sense of conflict many child-centered therapists experience because they view interpretation as overly directive and inconsistent with their desire to follow the child's lead and pace in session. Second, the lack of a well-organized, stepwise model of interpretation formulation and delivery makes it difficult for therapists to be consistent in its use. Third, the absence of a solid understanding of how interpretation supports the therapy process reduces therapists' tendency to use this highly flexible technique. This article attempts to provide a model of interpretation that addresses each of these issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Resolving counterresistances in psychotherapy.

Reviews the book, Resolving counterresistances in psychotherapy by Herbert S. Strean (see record 1993-97727-000). Counterresistance is the therapist's resistance to the patient, an important topic that does not usually get the attention that the patient's resistance does. This book strives to diminish the attention differential by turning the spotlight on many specific examples of therapist resistance. It also uses a variety of classificatory schemas to tie practice and theory together. A positive aspect of the book is that it is an addition to the existing literature on the role of therapists in therapy, for many years a relatively neglected topic and certainly one that deserves continual scrutiny. Several criticisms are noted. For example, the distinction between countertransference, an already familiar term, and counterresistance, is not particularly clear. Also, in service of highlighting the struggle for therapists to act as they should the book overemphasizes therapists' limitations. The book is still useful, however, but it would have been much better if it appeared more attuned to the therapy that also goes on relatively unmarked by counterresistances. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More than a mirror: The ethics of therapist self-disclosure.

Perspectives on the ethical implications of self-disclosure differ widely. Many authors warn that self-disclosure by a therapist can be exploitative. Some authors also highlight beneficent reasons for disclosing in therapy. The ethicality of a particular self-disclosure is likely to depend on the content of the disclosure, the therapist's rationale for the disclosure, the personality traits of the client to whom the disclosure is made, and the specific circumstances surrounding the disclosure. Research suggests that clients experience both positive and negative consequences as a result of their therapists' self-disclosures. Because of the ambiguity and complexity of this ethical issue, therapists must take into account numerous ethical principles when using interventions that involve self-disclosure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physical therapists' nonverbal communication predicts geriatric patients' health outcomes.

Two studies explored the link between health care providers' patterns of nonverbal communication and therapeutic efficacy. In Study 1, physical therapists were videotaped during a session with a client. Brief samples of therapists' nonverbal behavior were rated by naive judges. Judges' ratings were then correlated with clients' physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning at admission, at discharge, and at 3 months following discharge. Therapists' distancing behavior was strongly correlated with short- and long-term decreases in their clients' physical and cognitive functioning. Distancing was expressed through a pattern of not smiling and looking away from the client. In contrast, facial expressiveness, as revealed through smiling, nodding, and frowning, was associated with short- and long-term improvements in functioning. In Study 2, elderly subjects perceived distancing behaviors of therapists more negatively than positive behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)