Leading researchers' consensus on psychotherapy research findings: Implications for the teaching and conduct of psychotherapy.

Abstract

We examined leading international psychotherapy researchers' views on psychotherapy outcome research. Participants completed a questionnaire on which they rated level of research evidence for or against various assertions about psychotherapy processes and outcomes. Participants rated how confident they were that the assertions were supported by psychotherapy research. Strong, or relatively strong, consensus was achieved on several of the questionnaire items. Areas for which relative uniformity of opinion does or does not exist have potential implications for the teaching and conduct of psychotherapy and for the science-practice interface in psychotherapy. Additionally, consensus about psychotherapy findings can be used as a yardstick by which to measure practicing clinicians' knowledge of the research. CHARLES M. BOISVERT received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Rhode Island in 1999. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Rhode Island College. His general research interests include science-practice relations, predictors of psychotherapy outcome, and clinical judgment. His professional interests include cognitive-behavioral treatments for schizophrenia and anxiety, and stress management. DAVID FAUST received his PhD in clinical psychology from Ohio University in 1979. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Rhode Island with an affiliate appointment in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Brown University Medical School. His research and professional activities include such areas as philosophy/psychology of science, clinical judgment, neuropsychology, and psychology and law.

Effectiveness of bibliotherapy self‐help for depression with varying levels of telephone helpline support

“…Only two studies have found no signifi cant difference between self-help programs involving telephone contact and completely self-administered programs, or a wait list condition (Mead et al, 2005;. There is also considerable data indicating that paraprofessionals can be just as effective as professionals in providing viable therapy options (Boisvert & Faust, 2003;Christensen & Jacobson, 1994;Faust & Zlotnick, 1995).…”

Clinicians' Perspectives on Negative Effects of Psychological Treatments

“…Despite the recent interest in negative effects of psychological treatments among researchers, clinicians might not be as aware and up to date regarding the debate on how to monitor and report negative effects (Castonguay et al, 2010 ). Investigations of how clinicians perceive and experience negative effects in their clinical practice are scarce, but there are some indications that they may not acknowledge that some patients fare worse and encounter adverse events (Boisvert & Faust, 2003 ). Strupp and Hadley ( 1976 ) distributed a survey on negative effects to 150 researchers and clinicians, of whom 70 responded, with a majority agreeing that negative effects constitute a significant problem in psychological treatments.…”

Verbal expressions used by anaclitic and introjective patients with depressive symptomatology: Analysis of change and stuck episodes within therapeutic sessions

“…Anaclitic individuals use predominantly avoidant defenses such as denial, repression, and displacement, in an effort to maintain interpersonal ties, because of an exaggerated and distorted emphasis on interpersonal relatedness (Blatt, 2008;Blatt & Blass, 1996). However, the development of the self is neglec-Therapeutic communication, specifically the speech of patients and therapists, is a dimension in which, microanalytically speaking, therapeutic change is constructed (Boisvert & Faust, 2003;Elliot, Slatick, & Urman, 2001;Krause, et al, 2007;Llewelyn & Hardy, 2001;Orlinsky, Ronnestad, & Willutzki, 2004;Wallerstein, 2001). However, this activity has received less attention than the effectiveness of therapy or therapeutic outcomes (Asay & Lambert, 1999;Messer & Wampold, 2002;Wampold, 2005;Wampold, Ahn, & Coleman, 2001), or unspecific or common factors such as the therapeutic alliance (Hubble, Duncan, & Miller, 1999;Krause, 2005;Maione & Chenail, 1999;Meyer, 1990;Orlinsky & Howard, 1987).…”