Assessment & Treatment
Focused on the critical aspects of assessment and treatment in psychotherapy, this section offers resources, guidelines, and discussions on effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve client outcomes.
277 articles found
A Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Psychodynamic Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
Abstract Although there is evidence for the efficacy of psychodynamic therapy (PDT) in anxiety disorders, results are not yet satisfactory, for example, if rates of remission and response are considered. To address this problem, a unified psychodynamic protocol for anxiety disorders (UPP-ANXIETY) is proposed that integrates the treatment principles of those methods of PDT that […]
Falk Leichsenring, Dipl.-Psych. + 1 more
June 7, 2014
Fostering New Relational Experience
Abstract One of the most critical goals for couple psychotherapy is to foster a new relational experience in the session where the couple feels safe enough to reveal more vulnerable emotions and to explore their defensive withdrawal, aggressive attacking, or blaming. The lived intimate experience in the session offers the couple an opportunity to gain […]
Cheri L. Marmarosh, Ph.D., ABPP, CGP
June 7, 2014
Using Technology Within the Treatment of Eating Disorders
Abstract The focus of this clinical practice review is to provide clinicians a framework for incorporating technology into the treatment of eating disorders (EDs). We detailed studies that were published within the past 11 years (2002–2012) and that included at least 10 participants. Our primary aims were to describe how technology has been used to […]
Rebecca M. Shingleton + 2 more
June 7, 2014
Recognition of Psychotherapy Effectiveness
Council voted to adopt as APA policy the following Resolution on the Recognition of Psychotherapy Effectiveness. Conclusion of the Resolution THEREFORE: Be It Resolved that, as a healing practice and professional service, psychotherapy is effective and highly cost- effective. In controlled trials and in clinical practice, psychotherapy results in benefits that markedly exceed those experi- enced […]
Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
June 7, 2014
Core Principles in Treating Suicidal Patients
Abstract The treatment of suicidal individuals requires special attention to therapist interventions that promote a viable treatment alliance in the context of shared responsibilities for patient safety. Three core principles in the treatment process (alliance building, enhancing curiosity about the function of suicidal thoughts and urges, as well as enhancing experience and expression of intense […]
James Christopher Fowler
June 7, 2014
Suicide Risk Assessment in Clinical Practice
Abstract This practice review focuses on the challenges of conducting sensitive and accurate assessments of the relative risk for suicide attempts and completed suicides. Suicide and suicide attempts are a frequently encountered clinical crisis, and the assessment, management, and treatment of suicidal patients is one of the most stressful tasks for clinicians. An array of […]
James Christopher Fowler
June 7, 2014
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis in Clinical Practice
Abstract Across two continents, Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-P) has been endorsed as an adjunctive treatment for individuals who experience persistent positive symptoms of schizophrenia. The moderate effect sizes reported in early studies and reviews were followed by better controlled studies indicating more limited effect sizes. This article provides a review of the literature that […]
Harry J. Sivec + 1 more
June 7, 2014
A Meta-Analysis of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Outcomes
Abstract The aim of this research was to examine the extent to which the use of research-specific procedures in psychodynamic psychotherapy impacts upon treatment effectiveness and which variables moderate this potential relationship. Effects of audio/video recording of sessions, use of treatment manuals, and checks of treatment fidelity were examined. A meta-analysis was conducted on randomized […]
Joel M. Town + 5 more
June 7, 2014
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Abstract In the middle of the 20th century, Hans Eysenck reviewed studies of psychotherapy, which consisted primarily of psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, and eclectic treatments, and concluded that psychotherapy (as opposed to behavior therapy) was not effective and was possibly harmful. In the inaugural article in Psychotherapy, Hans Strupp challenged Eysenck’s conclusions and discussed how psychotherapy research should […]
Bruce E. Wampold, Ph.D., ABPP
June 7, 2014
Report from The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy Task Force on Telepsychotherapy
Preamble Division 29 (Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy) of the American Psychological Association has embarked on establishing practice recommendations for telepsychotherapy. This document was developed by a taskforce of Division 29 board members with the hope of providing a set of recommendations for psychologists providing therapeutic services using electronic media. Scope According to the […]
Ann B. Judge + 4 more
July 18, 2011
Patient Preference and Research Efficacy in EBPP
Swift and Callahan (2010) have recently published an intriguing empirical study of patient preference regarding psychotherapy. Adult outpatients were asked to indicate how much certainty of improvement (a la RCT efficacy research) they would be willing to trade in favor of “common factors” variables such as a therapist who is empathic, experienced, listens well, or […]
Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy
December 23, 2010
Ethical Considerations with Married HIV-Positive Clients
Victoria Asks I’m wondering how you would proceed when it is the case of a married person who is positive from engaging in sex outside the marriage, and the spouse does not know that the person is HIV+? Jeffrey Barnett Responds Hi Victoria. Great question. These are such tough issues. The first point to consider […]
Jeffrey E. Barnett, Psy.D., ABPP
October 12, 2010