Abstract Objectives:This study investigated the development of German psychotherapy trainees in professional, relational, and personal competence. Methods: The study followed a naturalistic pre–post design over 3 years and included a control group of non-trainee psychologists. The sample consisted of 219 participants, including 64 cognitive–behavioral trainees, 120 psychodynamic trainees and 35 control

Abstract Brief transdiagnostic psychotherapy is a possible approach for emotional disorders in primary care. The objective of the present randomized controlled trial was to determine its effectiveness compared with the treatment as usual based on pharmacological interventions in patients with mild/moderate symptoms. In addition, emotional regulation strategies and cognitive factors were studied as

Abstract Premature discontinuation from behavioral health treatment is a major problem reducing effectiveness of care in military populations. A training was developed and delivered to 622 behavioral health providers across 15 sites within the Army behavioral healthcare system. The training taught two techniques to foster treatment engagement: (1) Progress Informed Treatment, consisting of reviewing

Abstract Aims This systematic review aimed to critically synthesize research examining trainee therapists’ experiences of learning and using mindfulness. It explored the personal and professional benefits and challenges of mindfulness training, and whether there is merit including it in core education programmes. Methods Key article databases (including PsycINFO, Web of Science, ERIC, Academic Search

Abstract Moments of Meeting (MoM) in psychotherapy are understood as shared moments between patients and therapists that allow a mutual implicit understanding about their relationship and create a new state of intersubjectivity that reconfigures the patient’s procedural knowledge of “being with others.” Despite ample theoretical and clinical descriptions of this phenomenon, little is known, from an

Abstract Objective: This study examined whether the working alliance mediated the effect of therapist competence on subsequent depression symptomology during Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). We also tested the potential moderation effect of alliance on subsequent depressive symptomology, based on participants’ cognitive aptitude. Method: A total of 86 sessions were coded as the prediction interval

Abstract Objectives In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety disorder (SAD), avoidance behavior (AB) and cognitions (COG) are two important targets of intervention, but so far no studies have directly examined their relative importance. By means of cross-lagged panel models (CLPM), we examined their temporal associations and impacts on outcome in clients with symptoms of SAD while addressing

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the treatment effect of psychodynamic therapy for adolescents in comparison to normative developmental progression in two groups without treatment: healthy adolescents and adolescents with juvenile diabetes. Research Design and Methods: In a 3-wave longitudinal study, n = 531 adolescents (n = 303 treated adolescents, n = 119 healthy, n = 109 with diabetes) and their

Abstract Background The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the Unified Protocol (UP), a transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders (EDs), when applied in a group format in the public mental health system in Spain. Methods 488 participants with a primary diagnosis of ED were randomized to the UP group or to the treatment as usual (TAU; individual, disorder-specific cognitive

Abstract Objective: An implicit assumption in the use of depressive severity measures to assess change during treatment, such as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), is that reductions from pre- to post-treatment that are equal to each other are of equal value. However, stakeholders' valuations of changes might depart substantially from this assumption. Method: Vignettes were constructed

Abstract Objective In the United States, people of color (POC) are disproportionately affected by various sources of stress and prevalent mental and physical health issues that may benefit from Mindfulness-based Interventions (MBIs). However, effects of MBIs for POC are unclear. This meta-analysis examines the efficacy of MBIs through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included predominately

Abstract Objective: We tested qualitative metasynthesis of a series of Hermeneutic Single Case Efficacy Design (HSCED) studies as a method for comparing within-session processes that may explain good and poor therapeutic outcome. Method: We selected eight HSCED studies according to change in clients’ scores on the Strathclyde Inventory (SI), a brief self-report instrument used to measure outcome in

ABSTRACT Objective: Meditation practice and meditation-based psychotherapies have become increasingly popular. Although psychological benefits associated with meditation are well-documented, potential risks are unclear. Method: We conducted a population-based survey to evaluate the occurrence of a broad range of meditation-related adverse effects (MRAE). Results: Nine hundred and fifty three participants

Abstract Introduction Brief versions of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) may enhance patient outcomes in diverse service settings. This study examined the effectiveness of two DBT-informed treatments for diagnostically heterogeneous groups in routine practice: 5-day group training in DBT skills (DBT-5) and a 12-week DBT program (DBT-12). Methods : Depression, anxiety, stress, borderline symptoms

Abstract Honest communication between therapists and clients is an essential part of the process and values of psychotherapy, but the topic of therapist dishonesty has remained virtually unexplored. This study examined the prevalence, motivations, and perceived consequences of therapist dishonesty. Data were compiled from a Qualtrics survey, including several open-ended questions, of 401 practicing

Abstract Objective: We aimed to develop and test an algorithm for individual patient predictions of problem coping experiences (PCE) (i.e., patients’ understanding and ability to deal with their problems) effects in cognitive–behavioral therapy. Method: In an outpatient sample with a variety of diagnoses (n=1010), we conducted Dynamic Structural Equation Modelling to estimate within-patient cross-lagged

Abstract Objective Despite evidence showing that systematic outcome monitoring can prevent treatment failure, the practical conditions that allow for implementation are seldom met in naturalistic psychological services. In the context of limited time and resources, session-by-session evaluation is rare in most clinical settings. This study aimed to validate innovative prediction methods for individual

Abstract Hands are, compared to other body parts, the body parts that display the most gestural movements during an interaction and their movement is sensitive to reveal anxiety states. However, psychotherapy research focuses on movement synchrony of different body parts to be an indicator of improved symptoms. The present study investigates symptoms in social anxiety disorder and considers both, individual

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this paper is to describe an approach to dynamical systems (DS) using a set of differential equations, and how an application of these equations can be used to address a critical element of the therapeutic relationship. Using APA’s Three Approaches to Psychotherapy with a Female Client: The Next Generation and Three Approaches to Psychotherapy with a Male Client:

ABSTRACT Background: Approximately half of those who access child and adolescent mental health services do not show measurable improvement in symptoms. This study aimed to provide practice recommendations for managing treatment endings, particularly when outcomes have not improved. Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 26 young people with a history of anxiety and/or depression along

ABSTRACT Background: Changes during psychotherapy often include sudden symptom improvements, called sudden gains (SGs), which have been identified as being superior to gradual symptom change with regard to treatment success. This study investigates the role of therapists in initiating and/or consolidating SGs. Methods: The analyses are based on a sample of patients (N = 1937) who were seen by 155 therapists

Abstract Objective: Prior research has established that common therapeutic relationship factors are potent predictors of change in psychotherapy, but such factors are typically studied one at a time and their underlying structure when studied simultaneously is not clear. We assembled empirically validated relationship factors (e.g., therapist empathy; patient expectations; agreement about goals) into

Abstract Aim To construct a process model of limited reparenting as a corrective emotional experience using schema therapy (ST). Method We followed a task analytical approach, building two separate rational models based on the ST theory and our experience. Then, we constructed a final rational model. We tested our model in five therapy sessions. Results The process began with noticing a schema activation

ABSTRACT Objective: Because individual patients with persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) respond differently to treatments, a better understanding of the factors that predict therapy outcomes are of high importance. Aggregating a wide selection of information into the treatment-decision process is a challenge for clinicians. Using the Personalized Advantage Index (PAI) this study aims to deal with this

Abstract Objective: The effectiveness of Imagery Rescripting (IR) has been demonstrated in the treatment of various psychological disorders, but the mechanisms underlying it remain unclear. While current investigations predominantly refer to memory processes, physiological processes have received less attention. The main aim of this study is to test whether client physiological activation (i.e., arousal)

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study examined the combined effect of therapist Facilitative Interpersonal Skills (FIS) and Training Status on experiential processes within therapy sessions. In this randomized trial of FIS and Training Status, we predicted that in-session experiential processes would be highest for the high FIS and trained therapist group and lowest for the low FIS and untrained therapists

Abstract Objective Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and network analysis are promising empirical developments for psychotherapy research and practice, but they lack a therapeutic rationale that could guide case conceptualization and treatment planning. We developed an assessment strategy that aims to assess functional analysis with EMA. Method: The assessment strategy was applied to a series of

ABSTRACT Objective Infidelity causes mental health problems, family disruptions, rumination about events and changes in women’s beliefs about the disloyal person. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based schema (MBS) therapy and forgiveness therapy in emotional responses, cognitive distortions and self-compassion of women affected by infidelity. Method: It was an experimental

Abstract Corrective attachment episodes, therapeutic enactments designed to increase openness and trust between young adults and their parents, are the purported primary change mechanism in attachment-based family therapy. This study examined whether sequences of therapist interventions, young adults’ productive emotional processing, and parental behaviors thought to reflect corrective attachment episodes

ABSTRACT Objective: A novel brief intervention was used to investigate how empathic support and expectation can induce changes in mood, anxiety, and perceived stress. Method: Seventy-six undergraduates with high negative affect were assigned to three conditions of a program involving tasks with no known therapeutic benefit. In Group 1: Expectation Only, participants were given a deceptive description

ABSTRACT Objective: The present study investigated the role of the two theoretically derived mediators in the treatment of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). Mediators were changes in avoidance and maladaptive cognitions. An additional hypothesis tested whether these candidate mediators are specific to CBT-based Complicated Grief Treatment (CGT) compared to Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Method: We performed

Abstract Objective: Subjective social status (SSS) has largely been ignored within psychotherapy literature. We investigated the association between similarities in client-clinician perceptions of SSS, similarities in their report of the quality of working alliance, and resultant anxiety symptoms. Method: Participants represented a primarily low-income, culturally diverse sample of 312 clients receiving

Abstract The assimilation model suggests that therapeutic change occurs through a gradual assimilation of problematic experiences. Previous case studies have suggested that both good- and poor-outcome cases exhibit a fluctuating pattern of assimilation progress, characterized by advances and setbacks. Our study examined more closely how this fluctuating pattern is related to symptom change across therapy

ABSTRACT Obective: Brief Behavioural Activation (Brief BA) is a time limited psychological therapy for the treatment of depression symptoms in adolescents. Research on clients’ experiences of the helpful and unhelpful aspects of psychological therapies is important for developing an understanding of the therapeutic process, and for helping to improve interventions and therapists’ skills. The aim of

Abstract Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between therapists’ techniques (supportive/expressive intervention level – ESIL), therapists’ countertransference (CT) and patients’ defense level of functioning (ODF). We hypothesized that CT could play a mediating role in the relationship between patients’ ODF and therapists’ ESIL. Method: 65 psychotherapy sessions were

Abstract Objective: This study explored how psychological change was experienced and what treatment-related factors or events were perceived as supporting or hindering their process by individuals with borderline personality disorder. Methods: Eight BPD sufferers attended a 40-session psychoeducational group intervention at a community mental health care center. At intervention end, personal experience

Abstract Objective This study examines relationships among different aspects of therapeutic alliance with treatment outcome, adherence and attrition in internet delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for panic disorder. Methods: We examined alliance-outcome relationships in ICBT (N = 74) using a newly developed self-report alliance measure that disentangles alliance with program content (Internet

Abstract The practice of routine outcome monitoring and providing clinical feedback has been widely studied within psychotherapy. Nevertheless, there are many outstanding questions regarding this practice. Is it an evidence-based adjunct to ongoing psychotherapies, or an ineffective complication of treatment? If it is effective, through what mechanism(s) does it act? Is it effective with all patient

(2021). Countertransference—Introduction to a special section. Psychotherapy Research. Ahead of Print.

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to identify and explore mediators of psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy (PIT) on treatment outcome in multisomatoform disorders (MSD). Methods Data from 164 patients with MSD who took part in a randomized control trial of PIT (n = 88) vs. enhanced medical care (EMC; n = 76) were re-analyzed. A parallel mediation analysis was performed to investigate

Abstract Objective: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was initially developed to treat symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but has also been shown to improve symptoms of several other mental health conditions. Emotion regulation difficulties comprise a key target of DBT as well as a common challenge for individuals with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions. The current study

Abstract Objective: To assess the outcome of psychotherapeutic treatments, psychotherapy researchers often compare pre- and post-treatment scores on self-report outcome measures. In this paper, the common assumption is challenged that pre-to-post decreasing and increasing outcome scores are indicative of successful and failed therapies, respectively. Method: The outcome of 29 psychotherapeutic treatments

Abstract Objective: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was initially developed to treat symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but has also been shown to improve symptoms of several other mental health conditions. Emotion regulation difficulties comprise a key target of DBT as well as a common challenge for individuals with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions. The current study

Abstract Objective: To assess the outcome of psychotherapeutic treatments, psychotherapy researchers often compare pre- and post-treatment scores on self-report outcome measures. In this paper, the common assumption is challenged that pre-to-post decreasing and increasing outcome scores are indicative of successful and failed therapies, respectively. Method: The outcome of 29 psychotherapeutic treatments

Abstract This study addresses the therapeutic relationship in child psychotherapy, through an exploration of the experience of the main actors engaged in child psychotherapy. Objectives To describe and analyse the therapeutic relationship integrating the views of children, parents and therapists. Methods This study employs a qualitative methodology, assuming a discovery-oriented approach which draws

Abstract Based on the attachment framework, therapeutic distance conceptualization focuses on closeness–distance dynamics in the therapeutic relationship. We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Therapeutic-Distance-Scale, Observer-version (TDS-O) and apply a dyadic approach to examine associations between attachment characteristics and therapeutic distance experiences of clients, therapists

Abstract The ability to regulate emotions is important for human function and health. That emotion regulation can be achieved through cognitive change is predicated on the notion of cognitive mediation. However, the extent to which individuals believe that their emotions are cognitively mediated (C–M), or in contrast, that their emotions occur via stimulus-response (S-R), is underexplored, and whether

Abstract Objective This study explored whether treatment outcomes in a trial on the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) vs. Supportive Psychotherapy (SP) for patients with early-onset chronic depression differ between alliance patterns. Method Session-to-session ratings of the therapeutic alliance (Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ)) from 254 outpatients with chronic depression

Abstract Background: Premature termination from treatment or dropout is prevalent among patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). To our knowledge, no studies have examined which factors predisposes dropout from therapy among adolescents with BPD. The current study examined sociodemographic, clinical and psychological predictors of dropout among adolescents who attended a one-year treatment

(2021). Machine learning: A primer for psychotherapy researchers. Psychotherapy Research: Vol. 31, Machine Learning, pp. 1-4.

Abstract Objectives: Machine learning models predicting treatment outcomes for individual patients may yield high clinical utility. However, few studies tested the utility of easy to acquire and low-cost sociodemographic and clinical data. In previous work, we reported significant predictions still insufficient for immediate clinical use in a sample with broad diagnostic spectrum. We here examined

ABSTRACT Objective: While previous studies have indicated that therapists’ self-disclosure (TSD) can have curative effects, the contextual variables that may moderate the link between TSD and treatment outcome have not been sufficiently explored. Using session-by-session psychotherapy data, we examined the extent to which within-client distress and between-clients emotion regulation difficulties moderated

Abstract Background Ruptures in the alliance are co-constructed by clients and therapists, reflecting an interaction between their respective personality configurations [Safran, J. D., & Muran, J. C. (2000). Negotiating the therapeutic alliance: A relational treatment guide. Guilford Press]. In order to work effectively with ruptures, therapists should be aware of their own feeling states, acknowledging

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the association between adherence and competence in cognitive therapy (CT) techniques and change in positive compensatory skills and depressive symptoms within a community mental health setting. Method Adherence ratings were available for 97 individuals receiving CT for major depressive disorder. Assessments of adherence and competence were rated on one early session of

ABSTRACT Objective: This study involves the first attempt to identify sudden gains in a sample of clients undergoing experiential therapy for depression while also investigating client and therapist change processes related to sudden gains. Method: Pre- and post-session Beck Depression Inventory, short form (BDI-SF) questionnaires were used to identify sudden gains and differentiate between in-session

Abstract Objective Contemporary theories and the empirical literature stress the importance of successful resolution of alliance ruptures for the process and outcome of treatment. Yet, little empirical work has examined what leads to successful resolutions. The aim of the present study was to examine which patients are more likely to achieve successful resolutions of ruptures and under which circumstances

ABSTRACT Findings from previous psychotherapy research suggest that the majority of improvement takes place in the initial phase of treatment with the relative effectiveness dropping at a negatively accelerating rate. However, the evidence for this pattern of change comes from investigations of short-term treatments and it is unclear whether this also holds for more flexible and long-term psychotherapy

Abstract Objective: Recent years have seen a significant and rapid increase in the provision of tele-therapies. Chairwork methods such as empty-chair dialogues and role-play represent a “common” category of therapeutic interventions which are utilized in many psychotherapeutic approaches. However, guidelines for facilitating chairwork in tele-therapy are currently lacking. The aim of this study was

Abstract Objective: This naturalistic study examined the outcomes of group schema therapy for patients with personality disorders (PD) and the effect of psychological symptoms, early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and schema modes on outcome. Method: Assessments were made of 194 patients at baseline, during treatment, at treatment termination and at three-month follow-up. We used the Symptom Checklist-General

Abstract Background: The efficacy of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is well-established, yet little work has been done to understand how young people experience this intervention. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 young people aged 17–25 years (M = 20.0, SD = 2.61) who received TF-CBT as part of a pilot trial. Transcripts were analyzed via interpretative