Cultural Psychotherapy: A Consideration of Psychosocial Class and Cultural Differences in Group Treatment

Most psychotherapists are aware of the many social issues and cultural factors that influence development throughout each individual life. Human nature, being a social nature, exists within relationships to others, the community, and a culture, sometimes a mixture of cultures. One social parameter, social class, redefined here as psychosocial class, has not received the same attention from psychotherapists as gender issues or ethnicity, two other important sociocultural spheres of influence on everyday life. It is suggested that group therapists are in a unique position to develop a cultural psychotherapy that addresses psychosocial class and cultural aspects of mental health. This paper includes a preliminary model of cultural psychotherapy that highlights the psychology of social class and culture for psychodynamic group psychotherapy.     

The disintegrative factor in therapeutic groups as illuminated by kibbutz life

This article deals with the way individuals cope with the threat they experience in the framework of psychodynamic group psychotherapy. This threat, which is understood to be a disintegrative threat, is intensified in the therapeutic group. We see the therapeutic group as possessing attributes of a potential space, in which the participants are enabled to process the defense and coping mechanisms intended to preserve the sense of integration. This will be illustrated by the experiences of individuals who grew up in a kibbutz (an Israeli society in which infants were raised with their peer group) and participated in psychodynamic groups.     

A modern psychoanalytic approach to caregiver support groups

Caregiver support groups traditionally focus on education, reduction of social isolation, and supportive sharing. However, the support group literature has increasingly reflected an interest in the emotional effects of caregiving. While some authors promote the therapeutic value of supporting defenses against painful feelings, others have documented the value of encouraging their expression in groups. This paper is based on the author’s experience in co-leading an Alzheimer’s family support group, using a modern psychoanalytic approach which encourages the full expression of the caregivers’ emotional experience. Using emotional communication to explore resistances to intimacy and aggression in groups, the author demonstrates how the interplay of co-leadership and Modern Psychoanalytic theory and techniques promotes group cohesion and encourages maturational growth in group members. This model is also prescribed as an antidote to leader “burnout,” a not uncommon phenomenon for leaders of such emotionally charged groups. Private Practice, New York, New York.     

Narrative in psychotherapy theory,practice, and research: A critical review

This paper offers a critical review of narrative approaches to therapy, in terms of theory, practice and research. It proposes that narrative approaches currently lack a theory that explains adequately how the reworking of narratives brings about changes and how a client's various narratives are integrated. Research approaches to the study of narrative in therapy are at an early stage. A review of current research into narrative approaches to therapy is presented, and suggestions are offered for further research.     

Preinternship Preparation of Clinical and Counseling Students in Psychological Testing, Psychotherapy, and Supervision: Their Readiness for Medical School and Nonmedical School Internships

Internship directors have been critical of students' preinternship preparation in test-based assessment and psychotherapy but have not, until recently, expressed their quantitative expectations for this training. Using data from the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers application form, this study investigated the quantitative statements of 96 counseling and 238 clinical students regarding their preinternship testing, psychotherapy, and supervision training, comparing findings to medical school and nonmedical school directors' quantitative expectations. Results generally demonstrated adequate psychotherapy training but suggested deficiencies in testing training, particularly as related to medical school directors' expectations. Counseling students received more training in individual therapy with adults but not in other forms of therapy. Clinical students produced more integrated test-based reports. Both groups received similar amounts of supervision.     

Empirically Supported Complexity

Abstract— Over the last 10 years, evidence-based practice in psychology has become synonymous with a particular operationalization of it aimed at developing a list of empirically supported therapies. Although much has been learned since the emergence of the empirically supported therapies movement, its restrictive definition of evidence (excluding, for example, basic science as a source of evidence to be used by clinicians) is problematic, and the assumptions inherent in its nearly exclusive focus on brief, focal treatments for specific disorders are themselves not generally supported by the available data. Recent meta-analytic data support a more nuanced view of treatment efficacy than one that makes dichotomous judgments of empirically supported or unsupported, suggesting the need for a more refined concept of evidence-based practice in psychology.     

Making a difference for young people with learning disabilities: A model for inclusive counselling practice

The prevalence of mental health problems in young people with learning disabilities and the disability rights movement provide the background to this paper. The aims are to investigate the inclusivity of counselling; gain insight into inclusive practices; and put forward a model for inclusive counselling practice. Mixed methodology provides quantitative and qualitative data through a survey of counsellors (n = 396) and a series of semi‐structured interviews (n = 15). The results produce six indicators of inclusive counselling, which are used to build a model for inclusive counselling practice: proactive approach to inclusion; focus on building relationships; operationalising equal opportunities policies; inclusive initial assessments; adopting flexible and creative approaches to counselling; and training and awareness raising. The implications for research and practice are to acknowledge the exclusive nature of the profession and address the issue of inclusion through training, professional development and further research in the field. The model for inclusive counselling practice is put forward as a tool for auditing existing counselling provision and as guidance for counsellors and policy makers in increasing inclustion of young people with learning disabilities in mainstream counselling.     

The effectiveness of counselling with older people: Results of a systematic review

In 2003 the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) commissioned a systematic review of the research evidence relating to counselling older people. This paper reports on some of the findings of this review, particularly those which address the effectiveness of counselling with this population. Electronic searches of the research literature spanned six databases and were supplemented by hand‐searches of reference lists and key journals, along with an extensive search of the “grey” literature. The location of papers testing interventions which fall within a definition of counselling set out by the BACP, with samples aged 50 years of age or above resulted in the inclusion of 47 relevant studies. Studies investigated a variety of mental health problems in older people, particularly depression, anxiety, dementia and the psychological impact of physical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Of the 47 studies, eight tested counselling as a generic treatment, 15 tested cognitive behavioural therapy, 13 tested reminiscence therapy, and 11 tested various other specific approaches. The review concluded that counselling is efficacious with older people, particularly in the treatment of anxiety and depression and outcomes are consistent with those found in younger populations. Evidence as to the efficacy of counselling interventions in the treatment of dementia is weak.     

虚拟现实技术在心理治疗中的应用

虚拟现实系统具有良好的沉浸性、互动性和构想性而被广泛应用于军事、工业、建筑、教育等诸多领域。近年来,国外一些研究者将虚拟现实技术用于恐惧症、社交焦虑症、创伤后应激性障碍和厌食症等心理疾病的治疗,并取得了良好效果。本文简要介绍了国外在方面开展的主要工作,并对未来的研究趋势进行了展望。     

Group Therapy with Individuals and Families Coping with Illness or Disability in Israel

This paper illustrates a group intervention with individuals and family caregivers coping with illness/disability, and focuses on the relationship between the process of group development and the process of coping with the illness/disability. People experiencing illness/disability cope with a great deal of pressure and stress that stem from the illness's biopsychosocial demands. A group can provide encouragement and support and reduce helplessness, isolation, and despair through cooperation and use of mutual resources. The design of the intervention was based on our clinical experience with numerous groups for ill/disabled individuals or their family. The process is described and analyzed using examples from three documented groups, and is presented in terms of four variables: group process, group atmosphere, group content, and group intervention.