Conversational perspective of therapeutic outcomes: The importance of preference in the development of discourse

Major theme: Evaluation of therapeutic outcome. Logical development of the theme: We suggest a way for practitioners and researchers to assess if they are on track in conversing towards client preferred goals. We offer a critique of more conventional approaches to studying therapeutic progress, suggesting how a discursive (i.e. focused on interaction and language use) lens can address these limitations. Through this lens we examine therapeutic progress evident in ‘preference work’, where clients demonstrably indicate, imply, agree and disagree with where the therapeutic conversation is heading. Such ‘preference work’ offers a form of evidence of within‐session outcomes in a process of reaching larger client preferred outcomes. Authors’ point of view: We present the results of conversation analysis – a qualitative approach to the study of therapy – to illustrate our discursive perspective on therapy progress and change. Implications: we suggest a way for practitioners to assess if they are on track in conversing towards client preferred goals. We propose that our interactional perspective may significantly contribute to bridging practice and research in therapy.     

A systematic review of the literature on counselling and psychotherapy for the prevention of suicide: 1. Quantitative outcome and process studies

Scope of review: The paper reports a meta‐review of 15 previous systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of the literature concerning the outcome of counselling and psychotherapy with people at risk of suicide; a meta‐analysis of 67 outcome studies in this area; and a narrative review of 17 studies of the therapeutic process. Publication time span: The literature reviewed was published between 1981 and 2008. Publication origin: The majority of the literature reviewed was by authors from the USA or the UK, but there were also authors from other European countries, Australia, Canada, India, and Sri Lanka. Findings: There is evidence of the effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy, cognitive‐behavioural therapy, and problem solving therapy, but also for other forms of therapy. Therapist and client variables, as well as the therapeutic relationship, appear to be related to treatment outcome. Conclusions: People at risk of suicide should have access to psychological interventions, including, but not necessarily limited to, those within the cognitive‐behavioural spectrum. Therapies for which there have been promising findings, but which are under‐researched, should be a research priority.     

Thought paralysis: tolerance,and the fear of Islam

In much contemporary public debate, ideas of hate and terror have become synonymous with Islam. It is difficult to talk about how justified these associations might or might not be, as protagonists are readily accused either of Islamaphobia or of a naïve and dangerous tolerance. The paper will critically draw on elements from political theory, group analysis and psychoanalysis to reflect on some of the possible psycho-social reasons and mechanisms behind this impasse. It will be suggested that part of the reason for the thought-impasse is to be found in the way that liberalism has come to be taken up by some influential strands within the multicultural and diversity movements.     

Meeting Them “Where They're At”

Abstract

Child maltreatment is associated with serious psycho-social difficulties and enormous direct and indirect societal costs. As such, it is an area for which new and promising interventions are highly important. The purpose of this exploratory research is to examine intensive school-based psychodynamic therapy for severely maltreated children experiencing significant difficulties, by obtaining perceptions of therapeutic effectiveness by the children's parents, teachers and therapists. Themes include: therapists', parents', and teachers' perceptions of child's changes; parental perceptions of therapy and relationship with the therapist; therapists' perception of relationship with parents; school as the location of therapy; teacher-therapist relationship; and the child's academic status.     

Time Limited Treatment and C. G. Jung's Analytical Psychology

Abstract

The work of C. G. Jung has been largely neglected in recent discussions of time-limited psychotherapy. Notwithstanding this state of affairs, this paper argues that much is to be gained from familiarity with Jung's view on treatment. A brief overview of Jung's general system of psychology is presented, and contrasts are drawn to the work of Freud. Several distinctive characteristics of Jung's view of the clinical process are then identified, and a discussion of the course of treatment is provided with a brief reference to a case of Jung's and to the author's experience working with gay men.     

Chapter 5 Development,Psychopathology, and Brief Psychotherapy

Abstract

When using a developmental model to conceptualize curative factors in brief psychotherapy, the impact of the developmental process and the nature of the psychopathology presented by the patient must be taken into account. Both factors shape the therapeutic work. A case example of a young adult in the midst of developmental transition illustrates these issues.     

Feminist Issues in Couple Therapy

Abstract

The authors reviewed the feminist couple therapy literature from 1995 to 2006. They summarized this large body of work into several key themes. The first revealed that feminist couples therapists are continuing to discuss and deconstruct gender issues in couple therapy. The second showed that feminists believe that therapists should be educated both academically and personally about culture and diversity so as to support couples in their therapy around their own issues of diversity as well as learning to deal with issues of social justice as a couple. In the third theme, the authors introduced readers to feminists' emphasis on connection and empathy within couple and sex therapy. And, in the fourth, the authors explored feminists' work with power in couple therapy as they applied to couple therapy in general as well as around the specific topics of: balancing family and work and therapy for familial violence.     

Social dominance orientation predicts drive for muscularity among British men

The present study tested the hypothesis that men's drive for muscularity would be associated with their valuation of domination, power, status, and aggression over others. A community sample of 359 men from London, UK, completed measures of drive for muscularity, social dominance orientation, right-wing authoritarianism, trait aggression, and need for power, as well as their demographic details. Bivariate correlations showed that greater drive for muscularity was significantly correlated with most of the measures and their subscales. However, in a multiple regression analysis, the only significant predictor of drive for muscularity was support for group-based dominance hierarchies (Adj. R² = .17). These results suggest that men's drive for muscularity is associated with a socio-political ideology that favours social dominance.     

Examining cognitive development from a conceptual change point of view: The framework theory approach

Sexual socialization refers to how, through social interaction, an individual acquires and internalizes culture-specific knowledge, values and attitudes about sexuality. Little, however, is known about how an individual's genetic characteristics modify this process, or if individuals gravitate towards specific environments according to their genetic characteristics. The aim was to explore whether adolescents' genetic predispositions modify environmental influences on peer-group sexual attitudes. Using a Finnish population-based sample of twins and their siblings (n = 9534), it was found that genetic effects influenced peer-group sexual attitudes in men (52%) and women (46%), thus offering evidence for gene–environment correlation. Men showed less restricted peer-group sexual attitudes than women. Some indications of different genes influencing environmental exposure in men and women were found.     

Digit Ratio 2D:4D,facial masculinization and aggressiveness in Spanish adolescents / Índice 2D:4D,masculinización facial y agresividad en adolescentes españoles

Abstract

This study aims to test whether two morphometric characteristics, the second to fourth finger length ratio (2D:4D index) and the facial width-to-height ratio (FWH index), which reflects the degree of facial masculinization, are related to aggression in adolescents of both sexes. Previous studies have proposed that the 2D:4D index (a trait related to prenatal testosterone) and the FWH (related to testosterone during puberty) are related to aggressiveness in adult males (although there is evidence to the contrary). In the present study we investigate the relationship of both traits with different measures of aggression in a mixed population of 296 adolescents (14–19 years old). We did not find relationships between 2D:4D and FWH with aggressiveness. Furthermore, our results suggest that the FWH index must be used only after controlling for body mass index.