The wilderness therapy program: An empirical study of its effects with adolescents in an outpatient setting

The results of a study of the Wilderness Therapy Program involving 23 adolescents in outpatient counseling are presented. Data were collected before and after four trips on measures of locus of control, behavioral symptoms, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and a number of measures designed specifically for this program. Following a one and one-half to two week backpacking trip that included daily therapy, significant change was found for locus of control, self-esteem and symptom reduction. Positive changes were noted on the other measures as well. Future directions and social work implications were discussed.     

An extrapolation of the Dryden Projections for the future of REBT

Further analysis of the Dryden Projections suggests that there will be six subsequent name changes beyond 2031 to what is now known as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). The last name change will take place in 2555, which will coincide with the 600th anniversary of Ellis's first practicing Rational Therapy. The data suggests that Ellis will have an epiphany of near religious proportions. Gematria was deemed the best system to convert ordinal to equal interval data and was therefore selected for use in this study.He maintains a private practice in Havertown, PAThe author wishes to express his appreciation to Windy Dryden for his pioneering work and development of new research techniques associated with the Dryden Projections, without which this present study could not have been conducted.     

Rational-emotive therapy in the therapeutic community

Therapeutic Communities (TC's) have become increasingly popular in the treatment of substance abusing psychotherapy clients. Their popularity appears to have stemmed from the failures of traditional and more individual treatment modalities. Approaches focusing on immeasurable constructs and often irrelevant past events are argued to contribute to symptom maintenance and resistance in this client population. It is argued that a more direct, responsibility-oriented approach be implemented in a systematic and consistent fashion in order to facilitate treatment. The systematic application of Rational-Emotive Therapy in a self-contained therapeutic system is discussed.Raymond J. Yeager Ph.D., is Director of Psychological Services at A.P.P.L.E. Inc.: A Program Planned for Life Enrichment, a graduate fellow and staff therapist at the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy and is a privately practicing psychologist in Commack and Huntington, Long Island, N.Y.Raymond DiGiuseppe, Ph.D., is a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology, is the Director of Training and Research at the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy, is an Assistant Professor of psychology at St. John's University and is in private practice in Hempstead, L.I., N.Y.John T. Olsen is a certified substance abuse counselor at A.P.P.L.E. Inc. He is a graduate of APPLE'S residential program and has worked in the field of substance abuse treatment and prevention for over 11 yearsLogan Lewis ia the President and founder of APPLE Inc.Robert Alberti is the Program Director of APPLE's residential treatment program, and is a certified substance abuse conselor.     

A Rational-Emotive Treatment program with conduct disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder adolescents

This study investigated the effects of a 12-week treatment program, based on Rational-Emotive Therapy, with conduct disorder (CD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) adolescents. Two independent homogeneous CD (N=12) and ADHD (N=12) groups were selected on the basis of the DSM-111-R and use of methylphenidate. The dependent variables were irrational thinking, depression, and anger. Lecture, discussion, and theYou Can Do It!Motivational Program video were used in the treatment intervention. Discriminant function analysis of pretest scores revealed that 96% of the students were correctly classified (CD=100%, ADHD=92%). Multivariate analysis of pre-posttest scores revealed that the CD group significantly changed on all dependent variables, while no significant differences were found with the ADHD group. A comparison of posttest scores on the measure of irrational thinking revealed that the CD group accepted responsibility for their upsetness and were more willing to change than the ADHD group. The results of the study are interpreted in terms of the distinguishing characteristics of each group.G. Barry Morris Ph.D., is Director of the Canadian Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy. He is a Fellow and training supervisor in Rational-Emotive Therapy, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan, a licensed psychologist, and is engaged in private practice.     

Families and family therapy in Germany

The author describes some of the effects of decades of life under a dictatorship for East Germans and the effects on family life and family therapy of changes following the recent reunification of Germany. A case example illustrates some intergenerational family problems associated with the changes. Contrasts are drawn between East and West Germany and family therapy's present stage of development is depicted in both parts of the reunified country. Germany has approximately 10,000 trained family therapists, a minority of whom work in private practice. The largest amount of family and couples therapy is performed in agencies.Portions of this material were first presented in a poster session at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy annual conference in Miami Beach, 1992.     

Cognitive-behavior therapy in the treatment of cancer patients

Cognitive-behavioral strategies are employed in the treatment of cancer patients to eliminate nausea, control anxiety, pain, and depression. Specific techniques including relaxation, systematic desensitization and hypnosis are discussed. It is shown how cognitive strategies can create a more favorable environment for treatment.William L. Golden, Ph.D. — Licensed psychologist in private practice in New York City and Westchester, New York. He also is on the faculty of Cornell Medical College, New York City, the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy, New York City, and the Institute for Behavior Therapy, New York City.Wayne Gersh, Ph.D. — Licensed psychologist and co-director of the Westchester Center for Behavior Therapy, White Plains, New York. He also is a psychologist for the American Cancer Society.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article
Sexual Exploitation: Rape, Child Sexual Abuse, and Workplace Harassment. D iana E. H. R ussell .
Women Therapists Working with Women: New Theory and Process of Feminist Therapy. C laire M. B rody
Rape: Face to Face (1984). Filmakers Library, Inc.
Daily as Needed (1984). CineManic, 771A Union Street, Brooklyn
Miles to Go: A Women's Wilderness Journey (1983). Filmakers Library, Inc.     

Supervision in rational emotive behavior therapy

This paper deals with the general process of supervision of therapists learning to understand and practice rational emotive behavior therapy. The endeavor of supervision is viewed as one of education, training, and practive with critical and constructive feedback. Major sections discuss and describe Educational Aspects of Supervision, Training Aspects of Supervision, Evaluation of Supervisees Performance, and Preferable Characteristics and Traits for REBT Practitioners.This paper is based on a chapter prepared for a forthcoming book,Handbook of Psychotherapy Supervision, edited by C. Edward Watkins, Jr.Paul J. Woods, Ph.D. is a Fellow of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy, and a former Co-Editor of thisJournal. He is in private practice in Roanoke, VA. Albert Ellis, Ph.D. is the founder of REBT and the President of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy in New York.     

The Life Skills Development Program

In 1974the Occupational Therapy Section at Dwight Eisenhower Army Medical Center established a Life Skills Development Program for the treatment of the hospitalized acutely ill psychiatric patient. The program used a process which moved the patient through specifically prescribed tasks designed to initiate the development of adaptive behavior. Three basic group areas were formulated. These were values clarification, competency training, and information class. Values clarification was designed as an introductory phase of treatment and was important in building initial rapport and implementing patient involvement. Through carefully selected tasks, the patient was relieved of the burden of initiating the group process and was quickly involved in the discussion of life-related topics leading to the establishment of his own priorities. Competency training included a wide range of material allowing the therapist to teach and the patient to practice skills related to work, socialization, use of free time, and self-maintenace. These groups were experiential in nature, encouraging the patient to practice adaptive behaviors in role play settings in the hospital as well as in the surrounding community. Information class was scheduled whenever facts were needed to increase clarity and to facilitate selection of alternative and adaptive behavior. Guest lecturing, "experts" were invited to speak to the group. Also, information based on authoritative sources was prepared and presented by the therapist. The program concept and specifically prepared life skills development material was shared with Army Occupational Therapists. The Life Skills Development Program was presented as an evolving treatment approach in Army Occupational Therapy at the 1975 AOTA Conference in Milwaukee, WI. This treatment approach has continued in Army Occupational Therapy since its introduction. Until recently no collective information was available about programs. A survey of questionnaire was conducted in June 1981 of all Army Occupational Clinics. The results of this survey indicated that not only was the Life Skills Development Program still in use in Army Hospitals, but its application and target population has expanded to become broader than initially proposed. The intent of this paper is to retrace the thought and steps leading to the introduction of the Life Skills Development Program, to describe the structure and rationale of its organization and to report on its current use in Army Occupational Therapy.     

Clinical models in RET: An advanced model of the organization of emotional and behavioural disorders

Based on Albert Ellis' original ABC model and Richard Wessler's 8-step model, a new model of emotional disturbances is described. The new model attempts to express graphically some important principles of RET theory as well as its recent advancements and innovations. The clinical usefulness of the model, both in the assessment process and in planning therapeutic interventions, is discussed with particular attention to secondary symptoms of emotional disturbances.Cesare DeSilvestri, M.D., is an associate fellow and RET training supervisor of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy, Executive Director and Director of Training of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy (Italy), a guest-professor of clinical psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, State University of Rome, Italy, and is engaged in private practice in Rome and Milano, Italy.     

Alleviating the distress of caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients: A rational-emotive therapy model

Caring for a person with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type places an enormous emotional burden upon the caregiver. Common responses of caregivers include denial, anger, guilt, self-pity and depression. These negative emotions exacerbate the difficulties of caring for the patient, as well as constrict the caregiver's ability to develop appropriate coping skills for his/ her own life. Rational-emotive therapy (RET) specifies the maladaptive cognitions which elicit and sustain maladaptive emotions and behaviors, and provides a model for cognitive, affective and behavioral change. Excerpts from therapy sessions are presented to illustrate the process.Rose Oliver, private practice; Graduate Fellow and Supervisory Faculty, Institute for Rational Emotive Therapy, 45 East 65th Street, New York, NY 10021. Frances A. Bock, private practice; Adjunct Associate Professor, Psychology Department, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11550; Graduate Fellow and Supervisory Faculty, Institute for Rational Emotive Therapy, 45 East 65th Street, New York, NY 10021.     

Evaluation of a comprehensive inpatient rational-emotive therapy program: Some preliminary data

Mental health practitioners are faced with a profound challenge surrounding the prevalence of adult mental disorders, the need for inpatient treatment programs, and the costs of such programs. This paper describes the development of an adult inpatient psychiatric program based on Rational-Emotive Therapy. Specific elements of this program are described briefly, and preliminary outcome data presented on 372 patients. Concerns and future directions are also discussed. Development of adult inpatient psychiatric programs based on Rational-Emotive Therapy would appear to be one method of providing effective and cost-efficient treatment within the current cost-containment atmosphere of psychiatric treatment.Dr. Nottingham is an Associate Fellow and Approved Supervisor of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy. He is in independent practice with Germantown Psychological Associates, P.C. and is Director of Psychology at Parkwood Hospital, Olive Branch, MS. Dr. Neimeyer is an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology of Memphis State University. He has written extensively in the areas of cognitive and constructivist psychotherapy, and is co-editor of the International Journal of Personal Construct Psychology.The authors would like to thank Kat Bagley, Joe Grillo, Ivey Bright, Brooke Bensen, Cathy Michas, Brad Barris, Lori Passmore, David Wilkins, and Dee Conrad for their help with data collection. Additionally, without the assistance and support of the Parkwood Hospital administration and staff, neither this treatment program nor this paper could have been developed.Portions of this paper based on earlier data analyses were presented at the Mississippi Psychological Association Convention, September, 1990. This research was conducted at Parkwood Hospital.     

Cognitive career counseling: A rationalemotive approach to career development

The application of cognitive techniques to the career counseling process has been minimal. Since the career and personal development of individuals is interwoven, practitioners from a variety of disciplines are faced with a wide range of complex presenting problems regardless of their specialty. Providing occupational information and assessing job skills are partial components of the career counseling process. This paper addresses the cognitive barriers which interfere with successful career development. Cognitive career counseling (CCC) is described as a methodology for helping clients modify their vocational irrational beliefs (VIBes) so that they may achieve their career and personal goals during realistically unstable changes in economic conditions.Diana R. Richman, Ph.D., Senior Supervisor, Staff Psychologist, and Graduate Fellow, Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy, New York City, maintains a private practice in Queens and Manhattan. She is Director of Clinical Supervision at APPLE Continuing Treatment Program, and serves as an organizational consultant.     

Contribution Patterns in Major U.S. Marital and Family Therapy Journals: 1992 Through 2002

The institutional sources of articles published between 1992 and 2002 in five major family therapy journals—the American Journal of Family Therapy, Contemporary Family Therapy, Family Process, Journal of Family Psychology, and the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy were reviewed. Noteworthy similarities and differences as compared to earlier reviews were found. While no single institution dominated in numbers of publications, six of the top 10 institutions found between 1980 and 1995 were also found to be within the top 10 most productive institutions between 1992 and 2002. Patterns and changes in contributions from international sources, as well as from institutions with a COAMFTE-accredited program are discussed. Contributions from private practitioners and clinicians are also addressed.     

Inpatient cognitive therapy: Detours,potholes, and roadblocks along the routes of progress

Developing innovative treatment approaches for psychiatric inpatient settings is an emerging area of interest. This paper delineates the detours and circuitous paths treatment with difficult patients often takes. Differences between typical outpatient and inpatient care are described and the obstacles to cognitive therapy that inpatients present are discussed. The role of case conceptualization is emphasized as a way to promote increased effectiveness. Finally, methods for maximizing therapeutic opportunities with inpatients are suggested.Robert D. Friedberg, Ph.D. is a staff psychologist on the Cognitive Therapy Unit at Mesa Vista Hospital and is an adjunct faculty member at the California School of Professional Psychology.Raymond A. Fidaleo, M.D. is the Clinical Director of the Cognitive Therapy Unit at Mesa Vista Hospital. He is also the Medical Director of the Cognitive Therapy Institute as well as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine. Dr. Fidaleo engages in private practice in San Diego, CA.Michele M. Mikules, M.A. is a predoctoral psychology intern with the United States Navy at Balboa Hospital, San Diego, CA.     

The contemplation of suicide: Its relationship to irrational beliefs in a client sample and the implications for long range suicide prevention

This study investigated differences in irrational belief systems between clients in psychotherapy who reported they were contemplating suicide and those who reported they were not. The sample included over 95% of all persons aged 16 and over seen for psychotherapy over a six-year period (90 males and 117 females). Those contemplating suicide (N=85) were significantly more irrational on a number of basic dimensions. The general composite picture was that of an individual who sees him/herself as a helpless victim of past and present circumstances who must, nevertheless, perform well, be approved of, and never have anything go wrong; any kind of failure would be awful for it would prove one to be a worthless person. Findings are consistent with other cognitive-behavioral research on suicide. Other approaches to the explanation of suicide are reviewed and criticized, especially those that in Rational-Emotive Therapy terms have made an A-C error.Paul J. Woods, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at Hollins College, an associate fellow and a certified supervisor of training of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy in New York City, and is engaged in part-time private practice in Roanoke, VA.Geri E. Muller is a graduate student in the Master's program in psychology at Hollins College.     

A Meta-analysis of Wilderness Therapy Outcomes for Private Pay Clients

Wilderness therapy is becoming a more widely used intervention for adolescents, but there have not been any meta-analyses focused solely on its clinical effectiveness for private pay clients. This study’s objective was to conduct outcome-based meta-analyses of private-pay wilderness therapy programs, benchmark primary features of this approach, and educate the clinical community as to its effectiveness. The authors conducted a review of all available databases, as well as manual searches. Searches resulted in a meta-analysis based on 36 studies, totaling 2399 participants receiving wilderness therapy. Our meta-analyses found medium effect sizes for all six constructs assessed: self-esteem (g = 0.49), locus of control (g = 0.55), behavioral observations (g = 0.75), personal effectiveness (g = 0.46), clinical measures (g = 0.50) and interpersonal measures (g = 0.54). Subgroup analyses included age of participants, duration of program, open or closed model, presence of a mental health practitioner, and publication year.     

Irrationality profiles for anger and anxiety

A fundamental position in Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET) is that irrational belief systems cause emotional disturbance. This study adds to the body of recent research substantiating this position by showing significantly different profiles on the Jones Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT) (1968/1969) for a nonclinical population (N=446) differentiated according to low, medium, and high anxiety and low, medium, and high anger. The profile differences not only support the above fundamental position, but also offer some further evidence for the validity of the IBT.Paul J. Woods, Ph.D., co-editor of this journal, is an associate fellow of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy, a professor of psychology at Hollins College, and is engaged in private practice in Roanoke, Virginia.Samuel K. Coggin is completing his Master's work at Hollins College and is employed as a psychologist at the Central Virginia Training Center, Lynchburg, Virginia.     

Selective mutism in children: A structural family therapy approach to treatment

When children refuse to speak in some social settings, but can understand and speak in other settings, the diagnosis of selective mutism must be considered. A review of the literature describes the disorder, the various types of mutism, and related family dynamics. A family systems approach to treatment using structural family therapy is suggested. The case history presented illustrates one type of mutism as well as the family rules and hierarchy which appeared to be maintaining it. Structural and strategic family systems theory techniques that were used to move the family toward resolution of this problem are discussed.Diane Wolf Tatem, MA, MS, completed graduate work in marriage and family therapy at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM. She is employed at Life Management Center of El Paso's Child Development Services and also has a private practice in marriage and family therapy in El Paso, Texas. Robert L. DelCampo, PhD is a professor of family science at New Mexico State University and maintains a private practice with Associates for Marriage and Family Therapy in Las Cruces, NM. Please address all correspondence to Dr. DelCampo at Box 3470, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003-3470.Appreciation is expressed to Dr. Charles Huber, New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, for his insightful critique of the final draft of this paper. This paper was presented at the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference, January 25–29, 1995 in Dallas, TX.