| Abstract: | The Intentions List (IL), a 19-item list of therapist intentions, was developed and examined in 2 studies. In Study 1, the use of intentions was investigated in 20 sessions of time-limited therapy with a young neurotic female; 3 trained judges analyzed each session. Across-treatment decreases occurred in the following intentions: setting limits, getting information, supporting, clarifying, hoping, and catharting; increases occurred in insight, change, and reinforcing change. Within sessions, there were decreases in getting information, clarifying, and catharting. In Study 2, the IL was used by 42 experienced therapists in their sessions of ongoing treatment with a neurotic individual or family. MANOVA showed that 7 intentions predicted differential ratings of theoretical orientations. Univariate correlations indicated that feelings and insight were related to psychoanalytic ratings; change, reinforcing change, and setting limits were related to behavioral ratings; and "therapist needs" was related to humanistic ratings. All Ss followed a similar pattern of decreases in clarifying and getting information and increases in catharting, insight, and change. The quality of sessions was related to more focus and feelings and to less getting information and supporting. It is concluded that the IL is an empirically based, pantheoretical measure of therapists' cognitive behavior. (44 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
