Counselling, psychotherapy and creativity

Holm‐Hadulla, Rainer Matthias; Hofmann, Frank

doi:10.1080/21507686.2012.711761

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Feixas and Botella [48] see meta-theoretical integration as a means for overcoming the difficulties associated with technical eclecticism. It enables us to creatively combine different therapeutic theories and techniques within a common framework [49]. Following Goethe, the basic meta-theoretical principles can be found in understanding, communication, and creativity: ‘For when man falls silent in his agony, a God gave me the words to say how I suffer' [[30], vol.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Goethe's Anxieties, Depressive Episodes and (Self-)Therapeutic Strategies: A Contribution to Method Integration in Psychotherapy

Holm‐Hadulla

2012

Psychopathology

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Background: In psychiatry and psychotherapy, abstract scientific principles need to be exemplified by narrative case reports to gain practical precision. Goethe was one of the most creative writers, productive scientists, and effective statesmen that ever lived. His descriptions of feelings, emotions, and mental states related to anxieties, depressive episodes, dysthymia, and creativity are unique in their phenomenological precision and richness. His life and work can thus serve as an excellent example enhancing our understanding of the relationship between anxiety, depression and creativity. Furthermore, he described (self-)therapeutic strategies that reinforce and refine modern views. Methods: Goethe's self-assessments in his works and letters, and the descriptions by others are analyzed under the perspective of current psychiatric classification. His therapeutic techniques and recommendations are compared with cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and existential psychotherapy to amplify modern concepts of psychotherapy. Results: From a scientific perspective, several distinctive depressive episodes can be diagnosed in Goethe's life. They were characterized by extended depressive moods, lack of drive, and loss of interest and self-esteem combined with social retreat. Goethe displayed diffuse and phobic anxieties as well as dysthymia. His (self-)therapeutic strategies were: (a) the systematic use of helping alliances, (b) behavioral techniques, (c) cognitive reflection on meanings and beliefs, (d) psychodynamic and psychoanalytic remembering, repeating, and working through, and (e) existential striving for self-actualization, social commitment, meaning, and creativity. Conclusions: In Goethe's life, creative incubation, illumination, and elaboration appear to have been associated with psychic instability and dysthymia, sometimes with depressive episodes in a clinical sense. On the one hand, his creative work was triggered by anxieties, dysthymia, and depressive moods. On the other hand, his creativity helped him to cope with psychic disorders and suicidal tendencies. Furthermore, Goethe described psychotherapeutic strategies that resemble modern techniques. He integrated relational, behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic, and existential techniques and attitudes. These modern psychotherapeutic approaches can be exemplified and enhanced by reflecting upon the (self-)therapeutic efforts of one of the most creative persons that have ever lived. Hermeneutics as the art of communication and understanding derived from Goethe's (self-)therapy and creative works can serve as a meta-theoretical framework for the integration of different psychotherapeutic approaches.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Goethe's Anxieties, Depressive Episodes and (Self-)Therapeutic Strategies: A Contribution to Method Integration in Psychotherapy

Holm‐Hadulla

2012

Psychopathology

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“…Favorable experiences during psychotherapy are linked to common efficacy factors of psychotherapy such as motivation contributing to the therapeutic success (Levitt et al, 2016). However, the process of idea generation during psychotherapy is often described as challenging (Holm-Hadulla & Hofmann, 2012). Improving idea generation experiences during psychotherapy may be an important aim to support common efficacy factors and hence treatment success.…”

Section: Enhancing Flow In Psychotherapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In psychotherapy, many different situations can cause unfavorable psychotherapeutic experiences affecting therapy motivation and success (Vybíral et al, 2023). The generation of ideas that are unrelated to patients' common thinking patterns is described as one of those challenging experiences (Holm-Hadulla & Hofmann, 2012). Several psychotherapeutic techniques require patients to generate such ideas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several psychotherapeutic techniques require patients to generate such ideas. To name just a few, patients need to find i) alternative behaviors or thoughts that can replace dysfunctional ones, ii) new solutions to problems in problem-solving therapy, iii) pleasurable and meaningful activities within ENHANCING FLOW IN PSYCHOTHERAPY behavioral activation therapy, iv) things to be grateful for in the "counting blessing" exercise, v) new ideas or alternative decisions within dilemmas as required in the tetralemma (Arnold et al, 2023;Holm-Hadulla & Hofmann, 2012;Shubina, 2017). To help patients that are struggling with idea generation, psychotherapeutic techniques provide lists with predefined and potentially useful ideas (e.g., pleasurable activity lists or lists of dysfunctional behaviors and thoughts) or creativity techniques such as brainstorming rules (e.g., generate as many as possible ideas, do not judge or evaluate generated ideas) (Alexopoulos & Arean, 2014;Buzan, 1976;Dobson, 2019;Holm-Hadulla & Hofmann, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enhancing Flow While Generating Ideas in Psychotherapy Through an Inspiration Tool: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Transdiagnostic Sample

Fissler,

Bernhardt,

Wenzel

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Objective: Patients generate ideas in many psychotherapeutic techniques. We assessed whether psychopathology is transdiagnostically linked to less favorable experiences such as flow while generating ideas and whether a gamified inpiration tool may improve these experiences. Method: In total, 200 adults (100 with and 100 without a psychiatric disorder) generated ideas within two psychotherapeutic techniques while randomized to use a gamified inspiration tool (Brain2Business™ small) plus brainstorming rules (B2B group) or brainstorming rules only (active control group). Three validated scales measured HiTOP-based superspectra and general psychopathology. A composite score measured idea generation experiences including game experiences (e.g., flow), energy-related experiences (e.g., vitality), and mood (e.g., affect). Results: Less favorable idea generation experiences were linked with lifetime diagnosis of psychiatric disorder (SMD = -0.67; p < 0.001), general psychopathology and all superspectra (β = -0.24 to -0.45, p < 0.001). In the prespecified analysis, the B2B vs. control group showed no significant benefit on favorable idea generation experiences (SMD = 0.12, p = 0.37). After accounting for covariates, the B2B vs. control group showed higher flow expericences (SMD = 0.28, p = 0.043) and a trend for more favorable idea generation experiences (SMD = 0.21, p = 0.090). Additionally, vitality increased during idea generation in the B2B vs. conrol group if compared to vitality directly before idea generation (SMD = 0.31; p = 0.027). Conclusions: Psychopathology has been transdiagnostically associated with less favorable experiences in idea generation, whereas a gamified inspiration tool could improve these experiences, particularly flow and vitality.

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“…Verbal creativity is the ability to develop new and original ideas – applicable and useful in an intellectual environment – to provide alternative solutions to a specific situation (Schmid, 2005; Sternberg & Lubart, 1995). If psychotherapy is understood as an interpersonal activity that involves the construction of new meanings (Bohart & Greenberg, 1997), the role of verbal creativity acquires great importance (Geller, 2018; Holm‐Hadulla & Hofmann, 2012; Slavin‐Mulford, 2013). Verbal creativity can help psychotherapists to face patients’ situations in a novel way, providing new approaches and establishing associations between already existing ideas, consequently helping them in the introspection work and in the search for meaning of their experience (Carson & Becker, 2004; Holm‐Hadulla, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introducing mindfulness and compassion‐based interventions to improve verbal creativity in students of clinical and health psychology

et al. 2021

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ObjectivesIn the field of psychotherapy, verbal creativity has been suggested as an important aspect in psychotherapists’ training. In the present study, the effects of a mindfulness and compassion‐based intervention (MCBI) on verbal creativity are analysed in students of clinical and health psychology (N = 90).DesignStudents were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 37), in which an MCBI was applied, and a waiting list group (n = 26) with no intervention. We also assessed a non‐randomized active control group (n = 27), in which students received training in basic psychotherapy skills.MethodsVerbal creativity (fluency, flexibility, and originality) was evaluated in a pre‐, post‐, and follow‐up assessment.ResultsResults indicated a significant increase in fluency (p = .001, d = .64), flexibility (p = .017, d = .67), and originality (p = .004, d = .72) in the experimental group, relative to the waiting list group, in the post‐assessment. Fluency (p = .010, d = .64) and flexibility (p = .033, d = .62) were also found to be higher in the follow‐up assessment. In addition, results indicated a significant increase in flexibility (p = .034, d = .74) in the experimental group, relative to the active control group, in the follow‐up assessment.ConclusionsIntroducing MCBI in the university education of psychotherapists seems to be a useful strategy to improve their verbal creativity, which could positively influence their ability to explore and appropriately respond to their patients’ needs.Practitioner points Mindfulness and compassion‐based interventions (MCBIs) could be a useful strategy to improve verbal creativity in the university education of psychotherapists. After the MCBI, students of clinical and health psychology increased the number of ideas they produced when facing a specific situation, as well as their variety and originality.

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Counselling, psychotherapy and creativity

Cited by 11 publications

References 21 publications

Goethe's Anxieties, Depressive Episodes and (Self-)Therapeutic Strategies: A Contribution to Method Integration in Psychotherapy

Goethe's Anxieties, Depressive Episodes and (Self-)Therapeutic Strategies: A Contribution to Method Integration in Psychotherapy

Enhancing Flow While Generating Ideas in Psychotherapy Through an Inspiration Tool: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Transdiagnostic Sample

Introducing mindfulness and compassion‐based interventions to improve verbal creativity in students of clinical and health psychology

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