Inhibition of the LH Surge by Restraint Stress in Cyclic Rats: Studies on the Role of GABAA and GABAB Receptors

There is evidence that stress can alter the activity in the brain of gamma-aminobutyricacid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that has been implicated in the regulation of LH secretion. In the present study the role of GABA in the restraint stress-induced inhibition of the LH surge was investigated in the intact cyclic rat. Intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (0.1, 0.5 or 1 μg) 5 min before the presumed onset of the pro-oestrous LH surge (at 0900 h) caused a dose dependent suppression of the surge. A single dose of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (1 μg; icv) injected at 0855 h postponed the onset of the LH surge, and repeated injections at 0855 and 1130 h suppressed the surge. These data indicate that GABA-ergic activity in the brain can inhibit the LH surge in the cyclic rat via GABAA and GABAB receptors. Pro-oestrous rats were subjected to 5 hrs of restraint starting at 0855 h. Pretreatment with the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculine (1 μg; icv) at 0840, 0940 and 1040 h or pretreatment with the GABAB receptor antagonist phaclofen (10 μg; icv) at 0840 h were ineffective in preventing the restraint-induced inhibition of the LH surge. The results suggest that GABAA and GABAB receptors are not involved in the inhibitory effect of restraint stress on the LH surge.     

Alcoholics in inpatient,short-term interactional group psychotherapy: an outcome study

The differential outcome of 100 psychiatric inpatients distinguished by the presence/absence of secondary alcoholism was examined in shortterm closed group psychotherapy. Alcoholics did not differ from the general sample in outcome, but displayed distinct active/aggressive personality features. Group outcome was not affected by the presence/absence of alcoholic members.     

Therapists’ Responses to Religious/Spiritual Discussions with Trauma Versus Non-trauma Clients

This research explores therapists’ reactions to discussions of religion and spirituality in secular psychotherapy. We used a mixed method design including qualitative and quantitative components to examine data from 14 mental health professionals. Therapists acknowledged the importance of, and outlined reasons for, engaging in religious/spiritual discussions. They provided examples of the diverse ways in which their own views on religion/spirituality have an effect on their therapeutic work. Therapists view attention to religion/spirituality in trauma therapy as necessary. They see an emphasis on religion/spirituality within the treatment of traumatized clients as possessing distinctive qualities in comparison to their treatment of other populations.     

On the mechanisms and effects of feedback in group psychotherapy

Group psychotherapists commonly see feedback as one of the primary mechanism that furthers the goals of the group. This paper will summarize the research that has been done on the mechanisms leading members to produce feedback, the factors that induce members to accept feedback (for example, feedback valence and timing), and the effects of feedback on outcome and aspects of group process such as group cohesion. The article will address the practical implications of these findings for the interventions of the group psychotherapist. As will be discussed, the emphasis on the importance of feedback in the interpersonal group psychotherapy literature exceeds the programmatic research that has been done on basic questions. This paper will identify major lines of future investigation that could yield findings critical to the delivery of effective group psychotherapy such as the information processing sequences that underlie feedback delivery and reception.     

Ethical dilemmas in personality assessment courses: using the classroom for in vivo training.

In this article, we argue that the student's first lessons in ethical decision making in personality assessment are in those assessment courses that have a practice component. In these courses, the student has an opportunity to experience in vivo how ethical problems are identified, addressed, and resolved. The faculty member's demonstration of a process wherein the ethical principles activated are highlighted and explored, will enable students to internalize a model for addressing future dilemmas. Four particular ethical situations are considered: (a) the students' procurement of personal experience with personality testing, (b) the identification of assessment participants, (c) the development of informed consent procedures for assessment participants, and (d) classroom presentations. This discussion does not provide concrete solutions to ethical problems but offers a consideration of the relevant ethical principles that any adequate solution must encompass.     

The psychological growth of women in a short-term inpatient group

This paper identifies ways in which a short-term inpatient group can support psychological growth of women. A four-stage developmental model of women's work in an inpatient group is described. In each stage, women achieve greater comfort in new modes of relating. Women also gain greater appreciation of their interpersonal strengths. In the first stage, women face issues related to autonomy and connection. In the second stage, women focus upon conflictual feelings in relation to authority. In the third stage, women address obstacles to the achievement of satisfying, intimate, peer-based relationships. In the fourth stage, women focus upon the issues of separation and loss that are precipitated by the termination of the group. At each stage, the developmental tasks women perform are contrasted with related but nonidentical tasks performed by men.The author wishes to thank Drs. Joan Cooper and Francine Deutsch for their comments on an earlier draft of this paper.     

Videotape resources for group psychotherapists: a 5-year retrospective

This review provides a discussion of the 14 videotape reviews that have appeared in the International Journal of Group Psychotherapy from 1996 through 2000. This retrospective analysis describes the recommendations made by the review authors concerning ways in which future video products may be enhanced to improve their instructional value. These recommendations include topics that might be given greater emphasis in future efforts as well as elements within the format of such tapes that aid learning and discussion.