Understanding and working with existential information in a Norwegian adolescent psychiatry context: a need and a challenge

This is one of several studies on existential information in psychotherapy in Southern Norway. The aim of this study was to explore how therapists' backgrounds and existential information influence their therapeutic practice and philosophy of care, and the use of existential information in psychotherapy. The method used was qualitative, semi-structured interviews. Through emerging themes from the interviews and clinical case illustrations, information relating to therapists' backgrounds and existential orientations strongly influenced: therapeutic practice, philosophy of care, and if as well as how existential information was used in therapy. Professional and continued education/training in this area were insufficient. However, the area itself was considered essential for understanding clients' psychosocial and sociocultural needs in multicultural Norway. Therapists expressed the importance of communication about existential information. Clinical examples were given that focused on this information's usefulness for identifying strategies addressing both salutogenic and pathogenic aspects of adolescent psychosocial functioning. Clinical educational and training insufficiencies related to working with existential information were noted. Although strategic thinking and organisational framework in the working context permitted existential information to be raised in therapy, many expressed the lacking of methodological confidence and training in this area. Education and training were, therefore, priorities. Accessing this type of information with all clients, whatever their existential information, was emphasised for strengthening the therapeutic alliance.     

Five Therapists' Personal and Professional Reflections and Integration

Abstract

Women come to the therapeutic table with varying degrees of integration of sexuality and spirituality. Some have felt harmed by traditional religious interpretations and practices, others embrace these, and still others recreate and reclaim this integration in ways that are empowering and meaningful to them. Both the literature and the profession's guidelines have compelled us to begin with ourselves as women who are therapists. Five diverse women who are therapists share their own personal accounts of their sexuality and spirituality. Their experiences and identities run the gamut from keeping spirituality and sexuality distinctly separate to finding sacred meaning in the intersection.     

Sister Friends: A Reflection and Analysis of the Therapeutic Role of Sisterhood in African American Women's Lives

Research with ethnically diverse women has found that friendships can enhance women's health and mental wellbeing (Greif & Sharpe, 2010 Greif , G. L. , & Sharpe , T. L. ( 2010 ). The friendships of women: Are there differences between African Americans and Whites? Journal of Human Behavior In The Social Environment , 20 ( 6 ), 791 – 807 . doi: 10.1080/10911351003751892 [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). Sister friends can be crucial in assisting African American women and women of ethnically diverse backgrounds to face, address, and overcome, major transitions including stress and traumatic stress. Through a reflection and analysis of the relationship with a sister friend, the author explores the strength and challenges of sister friendship as well as therapeutic value. Recommendations are provided for sisterhood as a clinical intervention as well as for women therapist's self care. A case study of an African American woman in need of mutual sister friends is summarized. This exploration is shared through a womanistic psychology.     

Manual‐based cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: therapists' adherence and perceptions

Several randomized controlled trials have indicated that cognitive behaviour therapy is an effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. In 1 of these studies 13 therapists applied cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in 83 chronic fatigue syndrome patients. In the present study therapists' adherence and perceptions of the manual are studied. Following completion of the study the therapists were asked to complete a questionnaire. Audiotaped sessions were conducted to verify the therapists' adherence. Analyses of the audiotapes showed that in 87% of the sessions this appeared to be the case. The questionnaire revealed that the therapists found it more difficult to treat patients with chronic fatigue syndrome than to treat patients with psychological or other physical problems. Treatment aspects posing the most problems were integrating individual problems into the standardized treatment, dealing with the patients' lack of confidence in the treatment and handling insufficient motivation.     

Narrative Therapy Using a Reflecting Team: An Ethnographic Study of Therapists' Experiences

Narrative therapy in the last 15 years has been utilized by many clinicians and yet there is a lack of research on therapists' experience of this approach. This ethnographic research explores the views and perceptions of eight narrative therapists who belonged to a narrative team in an outpatient clinic. These therapists were observed and interviewed. Five themes emerge from the data. The themes include a sense of success in reducing the clients' problems as well as some limitations of narrative therapy. Two recommendations for research and practice involve the use of narrative therapy without a team and the use of narrative therapy in addressing issues of family violence.     

Grandparents Dealing with the Divorce of Their Child: Tips for Grandparents and Therapists

Some grandparents are still in their forties. When these young people are faced with the divorce of one of their children they have two dilemmas: 1) How to be supportive of their child and 2) How to avoid losing contact with their grandchildren. This article gives tips to grandparents and therapists faced with this common problem.     

双语脑的研究:不同的语言是否有不同的皮层机制?

随着认知神经科学技术的发展,研究者对“不同语言是否有不同的大脑皮层机制?”这个问题的研究也进一步深入。一系列的神经心理学和脑成像研究表明,语言获得的时问、流利程度、获得方式等都可能成为影响语言的皮层机制的因素。     

语言经验对大脑激活的影响：来自第二语言初学者的证据

研究采用功能磁共振成像技术考察语言经验在塑造大脑激活模式中的作用。12名只有很少英语学习经验因而熟练程度很低的小学儿童参与了实验。结果发现,在视觉呈现的押韵判断任务中,英文任务和中文任务共同激活了左侧额下回负责语音加工的脑区。更重要的是,虽然英文任务更难,也更多地激活了双侧的顶叶区域,但是它在额叶诱发的激活强度显著低于中文。这个结果进一步说明第二语言的语音皮层表征是随着学习经验的增加而逐渐发展起来的。     

双语儿童语音意识与词汇认读关系的研究

通过平行语音和词汇加工任务。对64名双语儿童英汉两种语言语音意识和词汇认读能力进行了双向测查。结果表明：双语儿童在两种语言不同语音意识和词汇认读之间存在跨语言的多重相关;在对其英语和汉语词汇认读能力的预测中,汉语音节辨认和英语音素识别均为重要的指标,表明语音意识对词汇认读能力具有跨语言的双向预测作用。