The effects of different types of interpretation on outcome in group psychotherapy

Interpretations in three psychodynamic therapy groups were rated according to Yalom's typology. Results indicated that here-and-now interpretations were employed over four times as often as historical ones. Outcome results, as measured by the DSM-III-R, indicated that interpretations of a client's present patterns of behavior were most effective in changing pathology, followed by interpretations of the impact of the client's behavior on others, then by historical interpretations. Interpretations of motivation tended to make clients worse. Client session satisfaction ratings demonstrated the same pattern as the outcome results.