HELPFUL AND HINDERING EVENTS IN PSYCHOTHERAPY: A PRACTICE RESEARCH NETWORK STUDY

This paper presents the findings of a psychotherapy process study conducted within the Pennsylvania Psychological Association Practice Research Network (PPA-PRN). The investigation was the product of a long-term collaborative effort, both in terms of the study design and implementation, between expe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.) Ill.), 2010-09, Vol.47 (3), p.327-344
Main Authors: CASTONGUAY, LOUIS G, BOSWELL, JAMES F, ZACK, SANNO E, BAKER, SALLY, BOUTSELIS, MARY A, CHISWICK, NANCY R, DAMER, DIANA D, HEMMELSTEIN, NEAL A, JACKSON, JEFFREY S, MORFORD, MAROLYN, RAGUSEA, STEPHEN A, ROPER, J. GOWEN, SPAYD, CATHERINE, WEISZER, TARA, BORKOVEC, THOMAS D, GROSSE HOLTFORTH, MARTIN
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Clinicians
Cooperative Behavior
Female
Helping Behavior
Human
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Interpersonal relationships
Male
Mental Disorders - therapy
Observer Variation
Pennsylvania
Professional-Patient Relations
Psychotherapeutic Processes
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy - methods
Qualitative Methods
Research Design
Self Concept
Selfawareness
Therapeutic alliances
Therapists
Treatment Barriers
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Summary:This paper presents the findings of a psychotherapy process study conducted within the Pennsylvania Psychological Association Practice Research Network (PPA-PRN). The investigation was the product of a long-term collaborative effort, both in terms of the study design and implementation, between experienced clinicians of various theoretical orientations and full-time psychotherapy researchers. Based on a relatively large sample of clients seen in independent practice settings, close to 1,500 therapeutic events (described by clients and therapists as being particularly helpful or hindering) were collected. These events were coded by three independent observers using a therapy content analysis system. Among the findings, both clients and therapists perceived the fostering of self-awareness as being particularly helpful. The results also point to the importance of paying careful attention to the therapeutic alliance and other significant interpersonal relationships. The merits and difficulties of conducting scientifically rigorous and clinically relevant studies in naturalistic contexts are also discussed.
ISSN:0033-3204
1939-1536
DOI:10.1037/a0021164