Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Use Of Creative Art As A Strategy For Case Formulation In Psychotherapy: A Case Study, Semra Karaca Phd, Nurhan Eren

Journal of Clinical Art Therapy

Case formulation refers to the appraisal of the individual data and the treatment plan in terms of certain principles. In psychotherapy, case formulation is relevant for the recognition of conceptual and clinical tools, as well as for the evaluation of the therapeutic endeavor. Art work (painting) provides an effective tool for case formulation because it allows the individual to express his/her thoughts and emotions, which are prone to the influences of subconscious drives, conflicts, fears, and desires in a symbolic fashion. In this study, case formulation of a 31-year-old woman, who could not overcome her verbal and physical aggressive behaviors, …

A Meta-Analytic Review Of The Relationships Between The Therapeutic Alliance, Empathy, And Genuineness In Individual Adult Psychotherapy., Jacob B. Nienhuis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the relationship between the therapeutic alliance and perceptions of therapist empathy and genuineness through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Alliance, empathy, and genuineness are each integral parts of the therapeutic relationship. Prior meta-analyses demonstrated that alliance, empathy, and genuineness each had a moderate relationship to therapy outcome. No previous analysis has explored how therapist empathy and genuineness contribute to the therapeutic alliance. Studies for this analysis were obtained through a multi-part search strategy. Out of 2,141 obtained abstracts, 46 studies contained enough data for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Thirty-six studies reported alliance/empathy relationships, six studies reported alliance/genuineness …

Weight-Based Microaggressions Experienced By Obese Women In Psychotherapy, Kerri Jo Schafer

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A large body of research demonstrates the existence of weight bias in healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and dietitians (Budd, Mariotti, Graff, & Falkenstein, 2011). Very few published studies examine mental health providers' attitudes toward obese clients, but a small body of existing data suggests that mental health providers attribute more negative personal attributes to fictional obese clients and rate them as having more severe symptoms than their average weight counterparts (Agell & Rothblum, 1991; Hassel, Amici, Thurston, & Gorsuch, 2001; Young & Powell, 1985). Given these findings, it is important to understand whether obese clients experience mental health professionals …

Unexpected Dramatic Change In Psychotherapy: Comparing Three Methods, Joseph Richard Horner

Theses and Dissertations

Unexpected dramatic changes in psychotherapy have been observed historically and tied to high recovery rates. Many different methodologies that identify these changes are assumed to be capturing similar or identical phenomena. This study compared three methods – Sudden Gains (SG), Percentage Increase – 50% (PI-50%), and Rapid Response (RR) - in a large database looking for similarities and differences. Results suggest that there are significant differences between SG, RR, and PI-50 as methods for operationally defining unexpected dramatic treatment response, and caution should be used when referring to SG, PI-50, and RR as the same phenomenon or interchangeable terms for …

Youth Motivation As A Predictor Of Treatment Outcomes In A Community Mental Health System, Brett M. Merrill

Theses and Dissertations

The role of motivation in relation to youth symptoms and psychotherapy outcomes is not well understood. Some cross-sectional research suggests that motivation predicts youth treatment outcome in low-motivation populations. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of change in youth motivation over the course of treatment and to elucidate the relation between motivation, youth symptoms, and psychotherapy outcomes in a routine community mental health setting. Participants and their caregivers were from three community mental health outpatient clinics and completed youth or parent forms of the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (Y-OQ) and Treatment Support Measure (TSM) at frequent intervals throughout …

An Exploratory Mixed Methodology Study Into The Theoretical Foundation Of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Bradford Tyler Dawson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Equine-assisted psychotherapy is emerging as a new alternative therapy method. As the field is new, there is limited amount of research looking at the current theoretical foundation being utilized in the therapeutic process. This study aims to explore the field of equine-assisted psychotherapy and its current theoretical foundation. The main question guiding this study was: What are the therapeutic theories and themes guiding the current practice of equine-assisted psychotherapy? The study consisted of six in-person qualitative interviews with current practitioners of equine-assisted psychotherapy. A short Likert-type scale was also used to quantitatively gather descriptive statistics about theories currently being used …

Embracing Counseling And Psychotherapy In Kenya, Faith Mueni Masambia

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This paper looks at the status of mental health in Kenya with specific focus on counseling and psychotherapy. It looks at the history of counseling and psychotherapy in Kenya, counselor educations programs, accreditation, licensure and certification, current counseling and psychotherapy theories, processes and trends, and research and supervision. Its purpose is to examine how counseling and psychotherapy is developing in Kenya. It explores how Western methods of psychotherapy are being incorporated in treatment of individuals with mental illness. It also looks at possible ways in which traditional methods of healing can be incorporated into the treatment of mental illness. This …

Modifying Psychotherapy When Working With An Adult Diagnosed With A Co-Occurring Intellectual Disability And Mental Disorder, Jesse Virgil Buchner

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Adults diagnosed with an intellectual disability are three to four times more likely than the general population to be diagnosed with a mental disorder. There are traditionally four classifications of intellectual disability: mild, moderate, severe, and profound. Each classification has characteristics that limit the cognitive functioning and abilities of the individual affected. This qualitative research was developed to explore the question of what might constitute some emerging best practices used in modifying psychotherapy when working with adults with a diagnosed intellectual disability and mental disorder. Five current and former psychotherapists and one psychiatrist served as respondents for the project. The …

Mindfulness In Traditional Psychotherapy: A Qualitative Study, Andrea M. Dorn

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Empirically tested research suggests the effectiveness and applicability of mindfulness interventions in psychotherapy to treat or provide supplemental treatment to a variety of mental health disorders, to improve the therapeutic alliance, and to promote self-care and use of self in clinicians. Despite the successes of mindfulness in the mental health community, only a select culture of clinicians utilize mindfulness techniques in their practice. In order to explore how mindfulness can impact the therapeutic process, a qualitative study was conducted. Seven clinicians who currently practice mindfulness and who utilize mindfulness-based and mindfulness-informed interventions in clinical practice were interviewed. The interviews explored …

Individual Differences In Psychotherapy Change Among Ethnic Minority Patients, Joan Lenore Degeorge

Doctoral Dissertations

There is limited research on ethnic minorities in psychotherapy, particularly with regard to the process of change. Most existing studies subscribe to a “uniformity myth” in which individual differences across and within minority groups are often masked or ignored because of an assumption of shared characteristics and experiences. The primary aim of this study was to address the gap in research on individual differences in psychotherapeutic change by analyzing a large sample of adult patients (N = 2,272) of varying ethnicity who received psychotherapy across various naturalistic settings. The treatment settings all participated in a national practice-research network, administering …

Accelerated Resolution Therapy For Treatment Of Pain Secondary To Symptoms Of Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Kevin E. Kip, Laney Rosenzweig, Diego F. Hernandez, Amy Shuman, David M. Diamond, Sue Ann Girling, Kelly L Sullivan, Trudy Wittenberg, Ann M. Witt, Cecile A. Lengacher, Brian Anderson, Susan C. Mcmillan

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: As many as 70% of veterans with chronic pain treated within the US Veterans Administration (VA) system may have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and conversely, up to 80% of those with PTSD may have pain. We describe pain experienced by US service members and veterans with symptoms of PTSD, and report on the effect of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), a new, brief exposure-based therapy, on acute pain reduction secondary to treatment of symptoms of PTSD.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial of ART versus an attention control (AC) regimen was conducted among 45 US service members/veterans with symptoms of combat-related …

Same-Sex Couples' Lived Experiences Of The Repeal Of The Defense Of Marriage Act's (Doma) Section Three, Alicia Anne Bosley

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Same-sex couples are affected by the social and political climates in which they live, as these create the difference between acceptance and legalization, and discrimination and prohibition, of their relationships. This contingence is made increasingly impactful by the privileges and protections afforded to married couples by the federal government; same-sex couples, along with other couples that choose not to, or cannot, marry, are excluded from these benefits. Following the June 26, 2013 ruling that Section Three of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage as between a man and a woman, was unconstitutional, same-sex couples were given access …

Predicting Use Of Evidence-Based Treatments By Helping Professionals For The Treatment Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Sean A. Lafleur

ETD Archive

Research suggests that evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for posttraumatic stress disorder are underutilized by counselors, psychologists, and other helping professionals (Becker, Zayfert, & Anderson, 2004 Van Minnen, Hendriks, & Olff, 2010). The current study examined factors that may predict use of EBTs by helping professionals including theoretical orientation, workplace setting, training, client preference, and highest degree held by the helping professional. Training was the only factor found to significantly predict the use of EBTs, suggesting that training may be key in disseminating EBTs and increasing their use

Impacts Of The Recovery Movement On Treatment Adherence For Individuals With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Kelly J. Campanile

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The recovery movement presents a shift in the treatment of severe mental illness to a more person-centered approach. The current researcher hypothesized that the more recovery-oriented a treatment was perceived to be, the more participants would have attended appointments and adhered to their psychiatric medication regimen. The variables of empowerment, recovery assessment, attitudes toward treatment, and participatory decision-making were explored in relation to their possible correlation with increased treatment adherence. An archival data set was used. Participants included 215 adults who met criteria for a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. The participants generally rated their treatment as high on all four of …

Why Activists Seek Psychotherapy, Collin B. Lee

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory study aimed to identify reasons why people who identify as activists seek psychotherapy. The literature on social movements supports the claim that activists are highly motivated individuals who seek to create meaning through work to promote social change, and as a result are exposed to a complex array of social forces that are institutional and interpersonal. As a collective social behavior, involvement in social movements allows activists to develop strong relationships with others while also becoming exposed to the risks of conflict and disapproval of others. Given that these relational factors and the nature of their organizing work …

Therapists’ Experiences Of Incidental Encounters With Their Clients, Beth Ketaineck

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Incidental encounters with clients occur frequently and have been found to elicit feelings of surprise, uncertainty, and discomfort for the therapist (Sharkin & Birky, 1992). This qualitative study examined therapists' experiences of such incidental encounters to better understand factors that may contribute to those feelings. I conducted semi-structured interviews, in line with Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), with six licensed clinical psychologists who have experienced an incidental encounter within the last five years. Participants were asked to imagine the encounter, discuss factors that contributed to their feelings about the encounter (during and after), consider long-term consequences, and describe their level of …

Maybe We Really Are What We Eat : Implications Of Nutrition And Mental Illness Research For Clinical Practice, Leslie H. Rosenberg

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In light of our nation's growing obesity epidemic, this paper will explore the growing body of research indicating clear links between nutrition and mental health, and the implications for clinicians treating mental illness in chronically ill clients who are overweight or obese. I will analyze the intersection between nutrition and mental illness according to the concepts of motivational interviewing (MI) and Irwin Yalom's group therapy theory in order to inform social work practice with these adults. Medical professionals who tend to shoulder the responsibility of addressing diet concerns in mentally ill patients rarely have adequate time nor training to fully …

Exploring Clinicians' Use Of Evidence-Based Interventions That Treat Attachment Problems Between Children, Five Years Of Age And Under, And Their Primary Caregivers, Jean Faucher

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory quantitative study was an attempt to address the dearth of research regarding the use of attachment-focused evidence-based treatments (AF EBT) in the clinical setting. Thirty-eight Master’s level or higher licensed mental health clinicians who work with children that are five years old and under, as well as with their primary caregivers, were surveyed via an anonymous web based questionnaire. The survey explored clinicians’ level of awareness, training, use, adaptation, and perceived effectiveness regarding four AF EBTs, as well as potential barriers that may have impeded their use. The AF EBTs were Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-UP …

Who Cares? : Psychotherapy As Care Work, Explored Through Socialist Feminist And Relational Perspectives, Sarah L. Beller

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This project was undertaken to better understand psychotherapy within the broader historical concept of "care work." The methodological approach involved using key concepts from feminist socialist theory and relational theory to explore what it means to consider psychotherapy as care work. The two theories helped flesh out some of the tensions between "care" and "work," as well as illuminated the way that the line between the two might be seen as a dichotomy. The project has implications for psychotherapists practicing within the United States system of the "White supremacist capitalist patriarchy" who want to engage in a co-created journey with …

Serving Clients With Intellectual Disabilities: Clinical Psychology Training In Apa-Accredited Doctoral Programs, Emily J. Graesser

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience mental health problems at a higher rate than the general population, yet encounter significant barriers in accessing quality mental health services and have poorer mental health outcomes. Disparities in both psychology research and practice contribute to these barriers, and few mental health practitioners are willing and competent to treat people with ID. Lack of training availability has been suspected as an underlying factor, yet no previous investigation of training has been conducted in the United States. This study utilized a 20-question self-administered internet survey to explore the quantity, quality, and types of training APA-accredited …

Treating Bipolar Disorder: Investigation Into The Integration Of Quality Of Life (Qol) In The Treatment Plan, Carolynn B. Shor

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative bounded case study focuses on how the therapist integrates the quality of life into his or her treatment plan when treating a bipolar patient. Quality of life may be defined as an individual's perception of his or her position in life in relation to psychological and physical health, social relationships, goals, expectations, and environment (WHO, 1995). This study specifically explored how therapists treat their bipolar patients and how they integrate QoL into therapy. Two men and seven women were interviewed in Santa Barbara, California. The criterion for participants included licensed psychologists who have treated at least one bipolar …

Seasoned Psychotherapists' Experience Of Difficult Clinical Moments, Kirk J. Honda

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Purpose: This phenomenological study was concerned with the clarification of the experience of the difficult clinical moment which is defined as a discrete moment in which the psychotherapist experiences distress as a result of his or her work with a client. Method: Retrospective descriptions of experience of difficult clinical moments were obtained from a diverse sample of ten seasoned psychotherapists in the Seattle area. The interviews were transcribed, analyzed, and summarized, and these summaries were confirmed by each participant as being an accurate representation of their experience. Results: Thematic analysis revealed six themes of experience during a difficult clinical moment: …

Does The Supervisory Working Alliance Moderate Psychotherapy Trainee's Personal Distress Empathy And Trait Arousability As Predictors Of Vicarious Traumatization, Jill Eileen Deltosta

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study sought to contribute to the extant literature regarding clinical training and Vicarious Traumatization (VT; McCann & Pearlman, 1990) by exploring aspects of clinical supervision and psychology trainee characteristics as antecedents. By replicating and extending dissertation work by Fama (2003) and Moosman (2002), this study specifically investigated the supervisory working alliance (SWA; Bahrick), personal distress empathy (PDE; Davis, 1983), and trait arousability (TA; Mehrabian, 1995) as they relate to VT in psychology trainees. It was hypothesized that SWA would moderate the relations between PDE and VT, as well as between TA and VT, such that as working alliance increased, …

Psychotherapy And The Embodiment Of The Neuronal Identity: A Hermeneutic Study Of Louis Cozolino's (2010) The Neuroscience Of Psychotherapy: Healing The Social Brain , Ari Simon Natinsky

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In recent years, there have been several ways in which researchers have attempted to integrate psychotherapy and neuroscience research. Neuroscience has been proposed as a method of addressing lingering questions about how best to integrate psychotherapy theories and explain their efficacy. For example, some psychotherapy outcome studies have included neuroimaging of participants in order to propose neurobiological bases of effective psychological interventions (e.g., Paquette et al., 2003). Other theorists have used cognitive neuroscience research to suggest neurobiological correlates of various psychotherapy theories and concepts (e.g., Schore, 2012). These efforts seem to embody broader historical trends, including the hope that neuroscience …

Factors That Promote And Inhibit Client Disclosure Of Suicidal Ideation, Robert William Orf

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Approximately 36,000 people commit suicide in the U.S. each year, making it the fourth leading cause of death for adults between 18 and 65-years-old. Clients participating in psychotherapeutic treatment are at elevated risk for suicide, due to the emotional distress that drives their entry into psychotherapy. Therapists cannot know the full extent of their clients’ risk for suicide if clients do not fully confide their thoughts and intentions. The current study sought to discover factors that inhibit and promote client disclosure of these thoughts and behaviors. The study utilized the Suicidal Ideation in Psychotherapy Questionnaire (SIPQ), a questionnaire developed for …