Bringing Psychotherapy Research To Life

This important volume is both a tribute to the most significant figures in psychotherapy research and a valuable summary of the thrust of their individual contributions. It amounts to a concise yet comprehensive encyclopedia of psychotherapy research in a user-friendly format. A wonderful idea, carried through with verve---and love.---Paul L. Wachtel, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, City College of New York and CUNY Graduate Center The participants in this landmark volume are the Oscar winners in the field of psychotherapy. Distinguished psychotherapy clinician-researchers all, the authors write appreciatively of their pioneer-mentors' personal odysseys and compellingly describe the outstanding contributions they made to psychotherapy research and clinical practice. In an age of evidence-based practice, this book's demonstration of how research is relevant to the practice of psychotherapy makes it essential reading for researchers and clinicians alike.---Stanley B. Messer, PhD, Dean, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ This book provides a who's who of psychotherapy research, complete with charming biographies and helpful summaries of the work of the giants of the field. A must-read for whoever wants to know where we are in psychotherapy research and how we got there.---George Stricker, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Argosy University, Washington, DC Therapists are flooded with data supporting cognitive therapy. Yet substantial process research supports the influence of variables like the working alliance, empathy, emotional deepening, mutually agreed-upon goals, and the therapist's personality. Through this collection of carefully constructed biographies of major psychotherapy researchers, therapists now have easy access to data supporting these less publicized keys to psychotherapeutic change. Each therapist is the medium through which clients find their own abilities to change. Let the authors and editors help clarify what you do and sharpen how you do it.---Bernard D. Beitman, MD, author of The Structure of Individual Psychotherapy and coauthor of Learning Psychotherapy and Counseling and Psychotherapy Essentials. Many clinicians today are unaware of the implications of psychotherapy research for their practice. Research that can readily be applied may be difficult to find in original empirical papers, and lessons from the larger body of psychotherapy research are not always accessible. Bringing Psychotherapy Research to Life highlights the work of 28 distinguished psychotherapy researchers, showing how their research programs changed the way we think about and practice psychotherapy. While honoring the founders and influential members of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, the book illustrates how research has extended the following questions: What types of patients benefit from therapy? How can relationship problems best be handled? Under which circumstances can emotions be deepened? How does the therapist foster insight? How does the therapist facilitate behavioral change? This book presents scientifically rich and clinically relevant messages embedded in meaningful stories. By contextualizing the work of luminaries in psychotherapy research, it will appeal to students and practitioners alike, providing both a survey of the field and a resource for fresh research questions. Readers who are primarily associated with a cognitive-behavioral approach will also benefit from an overview of the constructs investigated and empirical methods used by researchers in the humanistic and psychodynamic traditions.

"Providing psychotherapy services to the underserved is a significant problem with far reaching consequences. This book brings together discussions of multiple groups of underserved, some of whom are generally neglected by much of the literature. This book is designed to help mental health professionals who provide psychotherapy increase their awareness of the key issues related to many different peoples. Zimmerman, Barnett and Campbell bring together contributors who focus on many underserved communities, in their many different forms, both within and outside the United States. This wide-ranging discussion of the issues of many underserved peoples has chapters written by experts in their respective fields, offering their thoughts and very practical advice. The first four sections of the book focus on systemic factors, discrimination, people in transition and people who are often overlooked or are "invisible". Each of these chapters follows the same format to bring you a more consistent reading experience. The authors begin by discussing the scope and offer a description of the problem area they are addressing. They then discuss barriers to service delivery, how to create or improve cultural competence, and effective strategies and empirically-supported treatments for best meeting the treatment needs of this population. They conclude by discussing future steps. The fifth section addresses other challenges related to ethics and research. Overall, whether you read this book cover-to-cover, or pick individual chapters that are of particular relevance or interest, Bringing Psychotherapy to the Underserved is a valuable resource for you as you strive to approach underserved communities in socially responsible, culturally sensitive, ethical, and effective ways"--

"Timulak′s aims, to clarify research and its value for practice, and to alert people to its ′limitations and potential misuse′, have certainly been achieved. This book deserves a place in every professional library and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in understanding more about research" - Therapy Today, May 2009 ′An authoritative text, providing a first-rate outline of the specific methods that counselling and psychotherapy researchers use, and illustrated through a wealth of examples′ - Professor Mick Cooper, Senior Lecturer in Counselling, University of Strathclyde ′The content is comprehensive and covers the full range of knowledge and information that a trainee psychologist/psychotherapy researcher would want to have... It offers a general overview of psychotherapy research methods and their logic which is not duplicated in any book that I know of′ - Georgia Lepper, Senior Lecturer in Psychotherapy, University of Kent Research in Psychotherapy and Counselling is a guide to methods used in studying the outcomes and processes of therapy. Introducing a range of methodologies which are used internationally, the author describes different research designs and illustrates them through examples of actual studies. Presenting the findings from key studies, he clearly demonstrates the usefulness of the research in therapeutic practice. Research in Psychotherapy and Counselling is ideal for researchers and for students on courses in counselling, psychotherapy, clinical and counselling psychology and psychiatry. Ladislav Timulak is course director of the MSc in Counselling Psychology at Trinity College, Dublin. He previously worked at the University of Trnava, Slovakia, and has extensive practical experience in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, as well as experience in conducting psychotherapy training.

This textbook provides a guide to the development of a rigorous and creative research-supported practice for students, practitioners, and researchers in counselling and psychotherapy. With an emphasis on critical thinking and “research mindedness”, it introduces practical research skills and links them to self-awareness and critical reflection. Learning how to creatively and effectively use oneself in the treatment process is an essential component in therapy training and this level of self-awareness has long been a neglected area in research – until now. With examples ranging from private therapeutic practice to psychiatric related research, each chapter combines ‘how-to-do-it’ advice with illustrative real-life examples. The authors outline the use of a broad range of research methods, embracing Arts- as well as RCT-based research, and covering qualitative, quantitative, pluralistic and mixed methods approaches. Whether you are engaging with research for the first time or already developing your own research projects, if you are a student at diploma level or taking a Postgraduate research course for counsellors, psychotherapists and counselling psychotherapists, this is essential reading for anyone looking for a book that combines self-awareness with analytical and practical skills.

Research is a vital and often daunting component of many counselling and psychotherapy courses. As well as completing their own research projects, trainees across modalities must understand the research in the field – what it tells them and how to do it. Breaking down this seemingly mountainous task into easy to swallow pieces, this book will navigate your students through each stage of the research process, from choosing a research question, through the pros and cons of different methods, to data analysis and writing up their findings. Written by leading contributors from the field including John McLeod, Mick Cooper and Tim Bond, each chapter features points for reflection, engaging activities and suggestions for further reading, helping students to engage with all aspects of research. An original graphic narrative runs throughout the book, bringing this complex topic to life in a unique way. Whether embarking on research for the first time or already a little familiar with research and research methods, this unique guide is something counselling and psychotherapy students will turn to continually throughout their research projects.

Bringing Psychotherapy to the Underserved examines the challenging problem of providing psychotherapy services to underserved, often marginalized populations, both within and outside of the US. The book begins by addressing systemic factors that prevent certain populations from accessing services (health system issues, issues relating to the military, and natural and man-made disasters). Expert contributors then addresses those underserved due to discrimination (ethnic minorities, the economically disadvantaged, sexual and gender minorities, and so on). The following section of the book focuses on populations in transition and in undeserved locations (civilians and refugees of war, immigrants, and those in rural areas). Next are addressed those people who are often overlooked, such as children, older adults, and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each of these chapters discusses the scope of the problem, barriers to service delivery, creating cultural competency, effective strategies and empirically-supported treatments, and future steps. The book closes by addressing ethical and research challenges relevant to bringing psychotherapy services to these groups.

Praise for Becoming a Therapist "This resource is filled with practical and personal advice, relevant stories, and examples, and reads more like help from a friend than a typical textbook." Roberta L. Nutt, PhD, ABPP, Visiting Professor and Training Director, Counseling Psychology Program, University of Houston "Ah, now this is the book I wish had been available when I entered the field. Tom Skovholt has defined the initial experiences and followed the process through to the culmination of the therapeutic experience in a truly great book. Becoming a Therapist is a major contribution to our field." Arthur (Andy) M. Horne, Dean and Distinguished Research Professor, College of Education, The University of Georgia; President-Elect, Society of Counseling Psychology "Becoming a Therapist's informal style is accessible and engaging and yet soundly grounded in evidence and in the wisdom Skovholt has developed through his career-long research on psychotherapists and their development." Rodney K. Goodyear, PhD, Professor, School of Education, University of Redlands; Emeritus Professor of Education (Counseling Psychology), University of Southern California Essential guidance for mental health professionals navigating the start of their helping careers Written for those entering a career in the helping professions, Becoming a Therapist: On the Path to Mastery explores the therapeutic career path for new practitioners, painting a vivid portrait of the novice therapist's journey. This practical book guides you in using the helping relationship to improve the lives of others, whether your chosen profession is in counseling, clinical psychology, social work, school counseling, addictions counseling, family therapy, medicine, community counseling, pastoral counseling, or academic advising. Destined to become the resource every new practitioner turns to again and again, Becoming a Therapist prepares you for the reality of what it means to be a beginning therapist, with relevant discussion of: The fifteen indispensable qualities of every mental health professional The unfolding practitioner self Self-care for burnout prevention and resiliency development The importance of culturally competent practice to practitioner expertise Practice, research/theory, and personal life: the practitioner's learning triangle The significance of peer relationships in the novice experience Steeped in author Thomas Skovholt's years of experience, Becoming a Therapist thoroughly and clearly illustrates the excitement, intensity, anxiety and, ultimately, the satisfaction you can expect as a helping professional.

This book provides readers with essential information on the foundations of psychotherapy research, and on its applications to the study of both psychotherapy process and outcome. The aim is to stimulate a reflection on these issues in a way that will benefit researchers and clinicians, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, at different levels and from different perspectives. Accordingly, the book presents a balanced mix of chapters summarizing the state of the art in the field from different viewpoints and covering innovative topics and perspectives, reflecting some of the most established traditions and, at the same time, emerging approaches in the field in several countries. The contributors, who were invited from among the experts in our national and international professional networks, also represent a healthy mix of leading figures and young researchers. The first part of the book addresses a number of fundamental issues in psychotherapy research at a historical, philosophical, and theoretical level. The second part of the book is concerned with research on psychotherapy processes; in this regard, both quantitative and qualitative approaches are given equal consideration in order to reflect the growing relevance of the latter. The book’s third and last part examines research on psychotherapy outcomes, primarily focusing on quantitative approaches. Offering a balanced mix of perspectives, approaches and topics, the book represents a valuable tool for anyone interested in psychotherapy research.