SUMMARY. The use of audio and videotape recordings in supervision of dynamic psychotherapy is controversial. Recordings give direct, factually correct access to the therapy session which cannot be matched by the common, indirect method in supervision of recollection. The arguments for and against taping are presented and the conclusion is reached that tapes are an essential aid in supervision. They facilitate the close examination of process and technique. Discrepancies between the recollected account and the record are highlighted, not with the purpose of showing up the deficiencies of the therapist but as phenomena that have meaning and significance. How the therapist deals with transference and emotionally‐charged issues can be seen and discussed. Perhaps their greatest value is in private review by the therapist. The meaning of being taped needs to be carefully considered and monitored by the therapist. Taping should be used selectively and sensitively. Careful attention needs to be given to consent, confidentiality and the security of the tapes. Advice is given on how to make recordings. Tapes may also be used in teaching, research and clinical audit.
The psychological burden imposed by diabetes is large but is often ignored by health care professionals who concentrate on its technical aspects. In this article we review the need for psychosocial support in the treatment of diabetes. Group psychotherapy, although most widely used in psychiatry, was in fact started by a physician almost 80 yr ago and has been used as an adjunct to the management of many medical conditions. Limited experience of group psychotherapy among diabetic patients has given encouraging results. Issues remain, however, as to which groups of patients might benefit most, who should act as group leader, and how one can best assess outcome.
Aim: Given that various systematic reviews of supervision literature have revealed how little is known about supervision, that studies are not usually routed in practice, and that a multitude of diverse measures are used, the primary aim of this project was to support and encourage practitioner research related to supervision using a prescribed common set of instruments. Method: Funded by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), a Supervision Research Practice Network (SuPReNet) was established. A toolkit (a series of measures) that could be used routinely by practitioners was selected following the assembly of available measures of supervision and an assessment of them. Findings: The appraisal, conducted by the three authors, yielded five core measures, free for anyone to use, and accessible through the SuPReNet website. The measures are being piloted through a practice research network at a university counselling and psychotherapy research clinic where supervision data are being collected through a special module of CORE Net. Discussion: The potential yield from this initiative for practitioners, researchers, and the developing evidence-base is discussed and a model proposed for the next generation of research on supervision.
Reversing the current primacy in outcome studies of therapy comparisons, this study brings the person of the therapist to the fore. The character of the therapist is a vital component in effective psychotherapy, especially ambitious, relationship-focused, long-term work. Although the person-therapist relationship contributes only 10 to 20% to outcome, identifying beneficial and malign characteristics across therapies is a fruitful area for research, training, and service delivery.
The study, documentation and communication of case studies are central to the practice of psychotherapy. However, case studies lie low in the hierarchy of evidence generally used by researchers, health providers and purchasers. This paper examines why this should be. Ways are proposed by which they can be improved for scientific purposes and become more than exercises in persuasion.
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