Prädiktiver Gentest für Chorea Huntington

The development of predictive tests for genetic diseases such as Huntington’s chorea, not only raises new ethical and psychosocial issues for people at risk for genetic diseases, but also poses a challenge for the professionals treating them. The number of patients facing these issues will grow considerably with future advances of the human genome project. While there is general agreement among geneticists and neurologists that concurrent psychosocial and psychotherapeutic counselling for patients considering getting tested should be a prerequisite for predictive test-ing, much less agreement exists in the field of psychotherapy on the form and content of psychotherapeutic counselling for patients with a genetic risk factor. By their very nature, hereditary genetic conditions are a family affair. Whatever the test result will be in the end, it will have repercussions on other family members. In conse-quence, this article argues in favor of a counselling approach that is family and re-source oriented. From their experience with a collaborative treatment project, the authors present the major topics which psychotherapists need to address when working with patients at risk.     

Sexualit?t und Internet

On the discussion about sexual internet activities, the professional and public discourses have been strongly polarized for a long time. Currently the trend is that online sexuality is to be seen in a differentiated and empirical manner. Next to undesired (e.g. assault by internet platform) or indirect (e.g. due to excessive pornography use by partners) confrontations with online sexuality, there is a broad spectrum of self-initiated sexual use of the internet. These are, for example reception of information sites, exchange of experiences, utilization of online sexual consultation and romantic relationships. On the other hand clinically relevant problems could accompany sexual internet use, such as cybersex addiction. Because of the mediatization in society ambulant patients in the psychotherapeutic practice are more informed about sexual internet use. For psychotherapists it is important to know the internet-specific details and the potential risks and chances for sexual behavior in order to know how to deal with the situation and if necessary to integrate the internet into the spectrum of web-based sexual therapeutic options.     

Cross Cutting Issues in the Practice of Psychotherapy in Nigeria

The need to bridge the gap between western based psychotherapeutic intervention and African psychotherapeutic interventions is the main objective of this paper. In order to do this, cross cutting issues in psychotherapy in Nigeria were reviewed. This review covered socio cultural, economic conditions and other contemporary issues such as child maltreatment, HIV/AIDS, chronic illness, terrorism and the impact of western civilization on Nigerian culture and how it has produced a heterogeneous Nigerian society described as westernized, traditional and transitional types of Nigerians. Also salient peculiarities that must be taken into consideration in bridging the gap between western and African based psychotherapy were identified. Some of these salient peculiarities were adumbrated and they include frequent somatic complaints of psychological origin, beliefs in spirits including ancestral spirits, independent spirits and the supreme spirit God to whom duties are owed to keep the moral order. Given this situation the authors expressed uncertainty in the use of western diagnostic illness categories. Also an attempt was made to describe traditional methods of treatment such as the popular prayer houses and traditional healers. From lessons learnt based on these cross cutting issues the authors reported the development of Harmony Restoration Therapy and Meseron treatment frameworks as attempts at indigenizing western psychotherapeutic methods. From these they proposed the way forward as a cultural blend through using culture based psychotherapeutic framework. This they suggest can be applied in other societies.     

DIMENSIONS OF INTERSUBJECTIVITY IN MAHĀYĀNA-BUDDHISM AND RELATIONAL PSYCHOANALYSIS

Buddhism has become one of the main dialogue partners for different psychotherapeutic approaches. As a psychological ethical system, it offers structural elements that are compatible with psychotherapeutic theory and practice. A main concept in Mahāyāna-Buddhism and postmodern psychoanalysis is intersubjectivity. In relational psychoanalysis the individual is analysed within a matrix of relationships that turn out to be the central power in her/his psychological development. By realising why one has become the present individual and how personal development is connected with relationships, the freedom to choose and create a life that is independent from inner restrictions should be strengthened. In Mahāyāna-Buddhism, intersubjectivity is the result of an understanding of all phenomena as being in interdependent connection. Human beings are a collection of different phenomena and in constant interchange with everything else. Personal happiness and freedom from suffering depends on how this interchange can be realised in experience. The article focuses on the philosophical psychological fundaments in both approaches and emphasises clarification of to what the term ‘intersubjectivity’ exactly refers. This clarification is essential for the current dialogues, as well as further perspectives in this interdisciplinary field.     

Note on optimization of individual psychotherapeutic processes

Individual psychotherapy typically involves a sequence of recurrent sessions of client-therapist interaction. Accordingly, the psychotherapeutic process can be conceived of as evolving at least at two different time scales: a fast time scale pertaining to the on-going interaction within each session and a slow time scale associated with sequential regularities occurring between consecutive sessions. It is possible to exploit the sequential regularities between sessions in order to assess and optimize an ongoing individual psychotherapeutic process in real time. In this note a computational paradigm is outlined according to which this can be implemented and applied in flexible ways. Illustrations are given with simulated data. A heuristic summary is provided in the closing section.     

Psychotherapie mit Migranten

After an introduction and presentation of the influence of immigration on psychological health, the present overview focuses on several models of psychological development in immigration. Cross-cultural psychodynamics and culturally conditioned transference in ethnically mixed cultural psychotherapy settings are explored. The effectiveness of Western therapy methods based on Christian – Jewish values is discussed with regard to the therapy of patients from different ethnic backgrounds, i. e. so-called traditional societies. In Western cultures, proximity in object relations is based on autonomy whereas in traditional societies proximity is based on relatedness. Knowledge of specific cultural issues are considered to be an important instrument in cross-cultural therapies. Joining, activation of ethnic resources, and culture-sensitive interventions are considered to be helpful psychotherapeutic interventions. Specialized therapy settings, e.g. integration of ethnic therapists in established institutions, mono-cultural ethnic settings and collaborative projects are described. Last but not least, the authors point out the necessity of cross-cultural therapeutic competence because of an expanding cultural heterogeneity of society.     

Kunsttherapie

Art therapy uses all kinds of art media for psychotherapeutic purposes, such as painting, drawing, moulding, constructing, sculpturing and building. Therapeutically driven art therapies are aimed at the enhancement of personal resources, motivational and intentional improvement, coping and more adaptive interpersonal functioning. Every psychotherapeutic and psychiatric setting can integrate art therapy, and its use in different types of mental disorder has been extensively described. Neurobiological aspects of creativity and effects of the therapeutic relationship are discussed as being involved in the effectiveness of art therapy. There is growing evidence for its effectiveness. Art therapy can contribute to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A comprehensive table of art therapy interventions which can be applied within a psychotherapeutic setting is presented.     

Zukunft der Psychotherapie in der Psychiatrie

The conceptual development of the German mental health system can only be understood against the background of the specific historical development process; therefore, the emigration of psychodynamic psychotherapists during the Third Reich as well as the complicated reintegration of psychotherapy into psychiatry during the postwar period are of particular relevance. The current discussion concerning the relationship of psychiatry and psychotherapy is characterized by the development of new techniques and methods and the concept of modular psychiatry, whereas the traditional complex psychotherapeutic procedures are becoming less important. In the future, the development of clinical and scientific research should focus on psychotherapy in old age as well as adolescence psychotherapy, the combination of psychopharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment and issues concerning chronic courses as well as resistance to therapy.     

Single session and walk‐in psychotherapy: A descriptive account of the literature

Over the last several decades single session psychotherapy has become a mainstream psychotherapeutic approach. A steadily increasing demand for psychotherapeutic services and a continuous reduction in mental health care resources worldwide are both largely responsible for this development. This paper describes single session psychotherapy and provides a brief review of the relevant literature. Single session psychotherapy delivered in walk‐in settings is also discussed. Therapists who are unfamiliar with single session psychotherapy will find that this paper provides a concise introduction to the essential processes and outcomes of this psychotherapeutic approach.     

Nature as therapist: Integrating permaculture with mindfulness- and acceptance-based therapy in the Danish Healing Forest Garden Nacadia

Nature-based therapy can be considered an umbrella term for a diverse range of psychotherapeutic and allied practices which integrate experiences and activities in nature as therapeutic means. The objective of this article is to describe the theoretical framework for nature-based therapy in a university-founded healing forest garden near Copenhagen, Denmark. The garden will offer a 10-week treatment for people who are on sick leave with stress-related illness. This article focuses on clarifying the integration between the psychotherapeutic and gardening aspects of the nature-based therapy. The psychotherapeutic aspects are based on mindfulness and an acceptance therapy, while the gardening aspects are highly inspired by permacultural principles and methods.     

A review of online grooming: Characteristics and concerns

The process of online grooming facilitates child abuse and is a threat to young people across the world. This literature review explores the research surrounding how young people are targeted by offenders on the internet. Definitions, prevalence, and characteristics of online grooming are addressed in addition to consideration of child sexual abuse theories and internet behaviors. There are a variety of techniques used by internet groomers to manipulate young people (e.g., flattery, bribes, and threats) and different ways that young people engage in risk taking behavior on the internet (e.g., communicating with strangers online and sharing personal information). While models and typologies can aid professionals in understanding the crime, it is important to acknowledge that internet offenders, victims, and the dynamics between the two are often unique and varied. This is fundamental to the development of effective preventative education for online grooming and abuse. The review concludes that research concerning the online grooming of young people is limited, and calls for further study in this field.     

The psychotherapy of parenthood: towards a formulation and valuation of concurrent work with parents

This paper explores the process and value of concurrent work with parents when their child is being treated in individual psychotherapy. The position taken is that psychoanalytic understanding generally and the specific formulations presented in this paper have a broader applicability in other aspects and approaches in child and adolescent mental health practice. The central issues are the interweaving of knowledge of family processes, child development and psychopathology, and the uses that can be made of an understanding of transference and countertransference. A particular formulation is presented in relation to aspects of the work that constitute ‘child guidance’ and those that may be considered as ‘psychotherapeutic’ in relation to parental psychopathology. We have coined the term ‘the psychotherapy of parenthood’ to give this work the status it deserves and to define a boundary within which to explore the areas and levels of this complex work. Some practice and training implications are considered.     

Zwischen Klinik und Politik

Based on the current debate on the traumatisation of soldiers in Afghanistan, the article traces the historical development of trauma concepts from the 19th century to the present day. Thereby, it is shown that without reflecting on the socio-political context on the part of therapists and experts, medical and psychotherapeutic measures are at risk of being exploited by undetected political interests.     

Indikation zur strukturbezogenen Psychotherapie

The distinction of conflict processing and structure promoting psychotherapeutic approaches in the psychodynamic field is now common knowledge and has now been incorporated into the guideline comments. The differentiation of treatment presupposes theoretical knowledge of the dynamics of conflict and structure and corresponding thorough initial diagnostics. Based on these foundations an appropriate focus of therapy can be agreed with the patient and the therapy target can be set. This focussed working towards a joint target is especially important for psychodynamic psychotherapeutic treatment, which is of limited duration. The actively accompanying therapeutic process differs from older assumptions that positive developments on the foundation of a therapeutic relationship occur quasi automatically but possibly need a long time. Aspects of the treatment technique and the therapeutic attitude, estimation of the therapeutic development and typical age-related modifications in adolescents and older persons are discussed.     

Treatment approaches and offending behavior programs: Some critical issues

This paper discusses what is known about effective methods of program delivery in offender rehabilitation programs and how this impacts on the integrity of correctional programs. Drawing on literature from both psychotherapy and adult education, it is concluded that collaborative and client-centred approaches are likely to be associated with the highest levels of effectiveness, and that there is a need to support these methods of delivery through the development of practice guidelines that can be used by both program providers and supervisors.     

青少年的网络成瘾与家庭教育

青少年网络成瘾是伴随互联网的发展而出现的一种阻碍青少年心理健康成长的社会问题。其影响因素是多方面的,本文仅从家庭教育的角度出发,研究引发青少年网络成瘾的家庭原因,并提出了相应的教育对策。     

Politische und soziale Verantwortung von Psychotherapeuten

Psychotherapists should always continuously remind themselves what role they and/or representatives of their discipline played and still play in various political contexts. Under these aspects the following general categories can be suitable for orientation: 1) general political participation, 2) application of specific psychotherapeutic perspectives for understanding of cultural, social and political processes and 3) development of possible activity perspectives from a psychotherapeutic viewpoint. The psychotherapeutic view of social processes and the possible resulting activity perspectives are a consequence of observation of the interplay between exactly these social processes and their deposition in the individual.     

On Resourcing a Concern for Collaboration Within Peer Interactions

Although peer-based work is encouraged by theories in developmental psychology and although classroom interventions suggest it is effective, there are grounds for recognizing that young pupils find collaborative learning hard to sustain. Interpretations of this observation are discussed; it is suggested that these interpretations have been preoccupied with possible discontinuities in collaborative skill during development. Consequently, theory and research have neglected situational continuities between formal and (more successful) informal collaborations. An argument is developed for attending more carefully to the environments of joint problem solving and how they may be fashioned to resource the interactions of collaborators. The place of new educational technology within this enterprise is considered.