Case Report: Restitution 101.

The Case Report is a forum for distinguished clinicians representing a range of theoretical orientations to share diagnostic formulations and treatment recommendations of the same psychotherapy patient. The present case is that of Ms. S, a young woman with features of borderline personality disorder, mood disturbance, and posttraumatic stress disorder who was self-referred for individual outpatient psychotherapy. Treatment was precipitated by the sudden onset of vivid, snapshot-like memories of early childhood sexual abuse. Material from the initial weeks of therapy is presented, followed by a discussion of points of convergence and divergence from the expert therapists. Finally, a few closing comments are offered by the case contributor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

What do we know about typologies of batterers? Comment on Gottman et al. (1995).

The authors address a typology of male batterers presented by J. M. Gottman et al. (1995) based on differences in heart rate reactivity during marital conflict. Limitations of the psychophysiological and marital affect data are discussed. The interpretations offered by Gottman et al. are challenged along conceptual and methodological grounds, and alternatives are offered. The importance and implications of these results for assessment and treatment await clarification of the mechanisms underlying the physiological differences that characterize Type 1 and Type 2 batterers. Until such clarification, it seems premature to render conclusions regarding the treatment of either type of male batterer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Postscript.

The case contributor provides some final comments with respect to the case of Ms. S (see record 2005-02680-005). Comments are directed toward the points of convergence and divergence provided by the expert reviewers (see records 2005-02680-006; 2005-02680-007; 2005-02680-008; 2005-02680-009; 2005-02680-010; 2005-02680-011). While acknowledging variation in the approaches taken in the conceptualization and treatment of Ms. S, the author notes that the major difference among the reviews is that of emphasis, as each approach incorporates elements of the others to a greater or lesser degree. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)