Attributed Contribution of Therapist’s Emotional Variables to Psychotherapeutic Effectiveness: A Preliminary Study

BackgroundThe aim of this manuscript is to analyze the degrees of responsibility for healing that psychotherapists attribute to a set of emotional variables of the therapist involved in the therapeutic process. Such variables, framed within the well-known common factors in psychotherapy, have been proven to be essential in making the therapeutic process effective, as has been shown by research in psychotherapy in recent decades.Materials and MethodsBased on an extensive literature review, the responses from a sample of 69 psychotherapists to a tool created ad hoc are analyzed to verify whether their attributions are in line with the results of said review.ResultsThe therapists have doubts about the factors responsible for psychotherapeutic effectiveness, as well as about the value of common variables, including those of an emotional nature, not valuing them above those of a specific type. They also argue against the similar effectiveness of different psychotherapeutic models.ConclusionDiscrepancies have thus been found between the conclusions reached by research on therapeutic processes and the statements made by the therapists studied, which could indicate an insufficient impact of psychotherapeutic research on clinical practice. We also propose courses of action such as establishing training programs for the acquisition and development of emotional skills for therapists that could increase the effectiveness of their interventions.

Conceptualization and Management of Chronic Pain in an Over 65 Using an ACT Lens—A Single Case Study

This single case study illustrates the application and utility of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for a 72-year-old Australian male presenting with chronic pain and complex health conditions. Chronic pain often entails complexity among older adults and can impact the patient’s life across a range of domains. Psychological approaches, as stand-alone or adjunct to medical intervention, are widely acknowledged as potentially beneficial to older persons experiencing pain. ACT has been supported as a viable psychological approach for chronic pain and especially suitable for older persons with chronic pain. This study describes an ACT treatment approach for an older person with chronic pain informed via development of an extension of the existing ACT conceptualization of chronic pain. The development of the ACT based model is in keeping with recommendations to seek out mechanisms of change in psychotherapeutic research. Measures of Quality of Life, Depression, Physical Activity, and Acceptance/Avoidance were taken at pre and post treatment, as well as across treatment phases. Improvement was noted in self-reported measures of QOL, depression, and physical activity.

Economics of Psychotherapy

The paper reports the results of the analysis of modern notions about the economics of psychotherapy. Despite its great practical significance, this issue is insufficiently represented in Russian publications, arising mostly in foreign works. We consider two general concepts: efficiency and equity. The practice of research evaluation in psychotherapy distinguishes between (a) the efficacy of therapy — results of empirical psychotherapeutic research; (b) clinical (qualitative) effectiveness of therapy — results of psychotherapy in everyday practice; and (c) the notion of cost-effectiveness — a practical criterion; it characterizes the expenses for the achievement of a goal. Other expenses also ought to be taken into consideration. Additionally, we mark out progressive cost-effectiveness as a separate coefficient.

15. The Neural Basis of Eating Disorders and Potential Neurobiological and Psychotherapeutic Treatments in Young Adults

Although the prevalence of eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating) has increased among young adults - affecting women ten times more than men - a complete understanding of its underlying neural basis has yet to be reached. A common misconception is that these disorders stem from a superficial emphasis on food and weight, when actually environmental stressors coupled with neurobiological predispositions are major contributing factors to these compulsive, impulsive and sensation-seeking behaviors. This review presents a comprehensive look at theories on the neurobiological causes and effects of eating disorders: regulation of brain serotonin levels on mood and food intake, hypothalamic control of eating and weight, the allocentric lock hypothesis and finally similarities between the neurobiology of addiction and eating disorders. Understanding the pathology of the disorder may help elucidate why, despite achieving cognitive awareness of the disorder, treatment is difficult due to a disconnect between the neural factors controlling the disorder and a subsequent behavioral change. Why does cognitive awareness of their disorder not translate into a behavioral change? If the contributing neurobiological factors influencing the onset and persistence of the disorder can be understood, a multi-disciplinary treatment involving neuropharmacological and socio-emotional components could be implemented. The application of this research could be important for post-secondary institutions where environmental pressures and personal predispositions of individuals may align to onset eating-disorder behavior. Future studies on the physiology of eating and stress regulation and psychotherapeutic research may help develop treatments to target individuals at many stages of the disorder.

Memory reconsolidation, repeating, and working through: Science and culture in psychotherapeutic research and practice

Hypothesizing that an effective common feature in divergent forms of psychotherapy is a process of memory reconsolidation integrating new emotional experiences, Lane et al. usefully shift the focus away from established and/or specialized techniques to deeper questions about the underlying principles of psychotherapeutic change. More research attention to cultural factors influencing the definition and treatment of psychopathology is also needed.