Exploring the Base for Family Therapy Edited by Nathan W. Ackerman,Frances L. Beatman,and Stanford N. Sherman

General systems theory and group psychoanalytic psychology are utilized to present a typology of consultation requests that face the liaison psychiatrist in a general medical ward. These theories are also used to suggest interventions that enable the liaison psychiatrist to accomplish the dual purpose of providing useful consultations to the medical staff and training them in the psychological care of their patients without becoming trapped in the contradictory demands of the pressured medical-ward setting. Examples of psychosocial-medical rounds are presented illustrating three different kinds of consultation requests and specific intervention strategies.     

Group Treatment in Psychotherapy by Robert G. Hinckley and Lydia Hermann

A recently completed clinical trial that investigated the effectiveness of a group-oriented, day treatment program provided an opportunity to pursue a multidimensional approach to the prediction of treatment outcome. The sample consisted of 99 psychiatric outpatients, most of whom had received diagnoses of affective and personality disorders. The predictor variables included a patient personality characteristic (psychological mindedness), a group process variable (patient work), and their interaction. Univariate analyses revealed significant direct relationships between psychological mindedness and both work and favorable outcome, and between work and favorable outcome. Multivariate analyses indicated that psychological mindedness and work had independent significant relationships (additive or interactive) with several of the outcome variables. In combination they accounted for up to a quarter of the outcome variance. The results demonstrate the benefit of using a theoretically consistent multidimensional approach. The time-efficient nature of the predictor measures used in the study make them particularly amenable for use by clinicians and researchers.     

Interpersonal Psychoanalysis: The Selected Papers of Clara M. Thompson Edited by Maurice Green

The aging process presents a challenge to the narcissism of the individual due to physical, social, and psychological changes and losses. There is a danger that mental health professionals may add to narcissistic trauma by underestimating the elderly patient's potential for change. An older adults group established on a short-term psychiatric unit is presented. Therapeutic principles and strategies are discussed which are aimed at helping the aged patients make restitution for losses and regain self-esteem through renewed engagement with their environment. The importance of cohesion and inclusion in the group is examined, with attention given to the particular needs and conflicts experienced by the older adult population. The use of techniques to promote the experience of mastery is also discussed.     

Treating the Troubled Family by Nathan W. Ackerman

Abstract

Group therapy is a widely accepted model of care for sex offenders. However, most group therapy takes place in prison utilizing a cognitive-behavioral, psychoeducational model of care. Given that over 250,000 sex offenders are in ambulatory treatment, newer models of care may need to be employed to address their specific needs. I present a naturalistic outpatient study involving my private practice of 109 consecutive sex offenders treated over a 10-year period. A multimodal model of care informed by psychodynamic theory is presented with detailed case material from one group session. Preliminary results of recidivism are presented.