Theoretical Orientation and Therapists' Attitudes to Important Components of Therapy: A Study Based on the Valuable Elements in Psychotherapy Questionnaire

Abstract

The authors describe the inception and subsequent testing of a questionnaire on attitudes regarding how psychotherapy ought to be pursued: the Valuable Elements in Psychotherapy Questionnaire (VEP-Q). A sample of 416 Swedish therapists (161 psychodynamic, 93 cognitive, 95 cognitive behavioral, and 67 integrative/eclectic) responded to the 17-item VEP-Q. A factor analysis of these items resulted in three subscales: PDT, CBT, and Common Factor, as validated by analyses of covariance. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the scales were excellent. In addition to theoretical orientation, variables such as gender and basic professional training influenced how respondents answered the VEP-Q. The authors conclude that the VEP-Q seems to be an appropriate instrument for describing similarities as well as differences among practitioners of various schools of psychotherapy.

The Process of Change in Psychotherapy: Common and Unique Factors

“…Interestingly, in their studies and that of Boswell et al (2010), the common factors subscale of the MULTI has been rated as more prevalent than any theory-specific subscale across several therapeutic orientations-that is, therapists in these samples typically use common factors as much or more than other techniques, when measured on the MULTI. Similarly, Larsson et al (2010) reported another effort that identified common factors based on therapist self-report, but rather than reported or rated therapist behaviors, the Valuable Elements in Psychotherapy Questionnaire (VEP-Q) which these authors developed is based on therapists' attitudes about what is most helpful in therapy. The authors showed that the VEP-Q differentiated between cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic therapists in terms of how much they value orientation-specific mechanisms, but these psychotherapists did not differ on how much they valued the common factors items included in the VEP-Q (which include items on the alliance, empathy, positive regard, and goals of therapy).…”

Internet-vs. group-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia: A randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

“…Two reviews of sleep medication and psychotherapies have concluded that sleep medication and CBT are equally effective short term, but that CBT is more effective in the long term (Mitchell, Gehrman, Perlis, & Umscheid, 2012;Riemann & Perlis, 2009). Even though CBT for insomnia is broadly considered treatment of choice, few patients suffering from insomnia receive CBT due to a lack of trained therapists (Edinger, 2009;Espie, 2009;Larsson, Kaldo, & Broberg, 2010). Many studies have been conducted to investigate new ways of disseminating CBT.…”

Three-Year Follow-Up of Insomnia and Hypnotics after Controlled Internet Treatment for Insomnia

“…10,11 However, CBT-i therapists tend to be scarce. 12,13 Thus, different types of self-help treatments have been tested and found to be effective, 14,15 also for patients with multiple comorbidities. 16 Compared with unguided self-help, therapist support provides better treatment outcomes for most psychiatric conditions, 17 including insomnia, 16 potentially because of the greater patient involvement in key therapeutic techniques.…”