Prevention of Treatment Failure


Book Description

Empirical evidence shows that treatment failure is a significant problem and one that practitioners routinely overlook. A substantial minority of patients either fail to gain a benefit from the treatments offered to them, or they outright worsen by the time they leave treatment. Intervening in a timely fashion with such individuals cannot occur if practitioners are unaware of which cases are likely to have this outcome. Prevention of Treatment Failure describes procedures and techniques that can be used by clinical practitioners and administrators to identify patients who are at risk for treatment failure. The book summarizes evidence that convincingly shows that a shift in routine care is needed, and that such a shift can be accomplished easily through integrating specific methods of monitoring patient treatment response on a frequent basis in routine care. Treatment response is placed in the context of historical views of healthy functioning and operationalized through the use of brief self-report scales. Providing alert-signals to therapists, along with problem-solving tools, is suggested as an evidence-based practice that substantially reduces patient deterioration and increases the chances of the return to normal functioning. The book also provides illustrations on how accumulated data resulting from monitoring patient treatment response can be used to improve systems of care.




The Essential Companion to Talking Therapy


Book Description

For those currently in therapy, seeking therapy, considering returning to therapy, or supporting a loved one through it, this is the definitive companion to the therapeutic experience. During her 15 years as a therapist, Karin Blak has found that people often seek help only moments from breaking point. This damaging behaviour can come from a lack of understanding as to what therapy is, or how it works. Even when motivated to seek help, there are psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists... We have so many different talking therapists that confusion is understandable. This book is a definitive guide to understanding talking therapies. It will clarify every question, misnomer, myth or grey area in therapy. Compassionately guiding the reader through their journey from starting to consider therapy, to finding the right therapist, preparing for the first session, surviving through common challenges, knowing when to end therapy, and when to return, Karin Blak reveals previously untold intricacies of how therapists work, how therapists themselves are supervised, how to know if your therapist is overstepping boundaries, what the lingo really means, how to manage your own expectations, and when to move on from therapy. Each section contains honest commentary about the process of therapy, case studies showing examples applicable to real life, encouragements to act, practical suggestions and actions to apply if needed.




TIP 35: Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Use Disorder Treatment (Updated 2019)


Book Description

Motivation is key to substance use behavior change. Counselors can support clients' movement toward positive changes in their substance use by identifying and enhancing motivation that already exists. Motivational approaches are based on the principles of person-centered counseling. Counselors' use of empathy, not authority and power, is key to enhancing clients' motivation to change. Clients are experts in their own recovery from SUDs. Counselors should engage them in collaborative partnerships. Ambivalence about change is normal. Resistance to change is an expression of ambivalence about change, not a client trait or characteristic. Confrontational approaches increase client resistance and discord in the counseling relationship. Motivational approaches explore ambivalence in a nonjudgmental and compassionate way.




What Is Psychotherapy?


Book Description

An in-depth look at a much misunderstood practice, offering a fresh viewpoint on how this science can be a universally effective route to our better selves.




Unequal Treatment


Book Description

Racial and ethnic disparities in health care are known to reflect access to care and other issues that arise from differing socioeconomic conditions. There is, however, increasing evidence that even after such differences are accounted for, race and ethnicity remain significant predictors of the quality of health care received. In Unequal Treatment, a panel of experts documents this evidence and explores how persons of color experience the health care environment. The book examines how disparities in treatment may arise in health care systems and looks at aspects of the clinical encounter that may contribute to such disparities. Patients' and providers' attitudes, expectations, and behavior are analyzed. How to intervene? Unequal Treatment offers recommendations for improvements in medical care financing, allocation of care, availability of language translation, community-based care, and other arenas. The committee highlights the potential of cross-cultural education to improve provider-patient communication and offers a detailed look at how to integrate cross-cultural learning within the health professions. The book concludes with recommendations for data collection and research initiatives. Unequal Treatment will be vitally important to health care policymakers, administrators, providers, educators, and students as well as advocates for people of color.




The Power of Talking


Book Description

Reading The Power of Talking: Stories from the Therapy Room feels as though you have joined author Stelios Kiosses at his favourite coffee shop for a chat whilst enjoying a cappuccino and slice of cake. It is a joy to read, inviting you into the psychotherapeutic world as a welcome guest to discover the process of psychotherapy, the role of the therapist, and the psychological defences we all employ. 'Being a therapist is truly a lifelong journey which we share with others towards healing.' So says Stelios Kiosses and here he presents his journey so far. Along the way, we meet Gareth, suffering from depression for many years. Then there is Helen, dealing with unresolved childhood trauma. John and Alice, experiencing difficulties in their relationship, hoping couple therapy will help. David, successfully treated for burnout / work-related stress over a decade ago, but now struggling with suicidal thoughts after the loss of his job and his mother. This case has the added resonance of the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and the need to work remotely via video. And finally, Abigail, who is struggling with hoarding and the memories and pain of sexual abuse. These stories come to life in an engaging, enthralling, and enjoyable read for therapists and the public alike.




Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment


Book Description

This report is based on a rethinking of the concept of motivation, which is redefined here as purposeful, intentional, & positive -- directed toward the person's best interests. This report shows how substance abuse treat. staff can influence change by developing a therapeutic relationship that respects & builds on the client's autonomy & makes the treat. clinician a partner in the change process. Describes motivational interventions that can be used at all stages of the change process, from pre-contemplation & preparation to action & maintenance, & informs readers of the research, results, tools, & assessment instruments related to enhancing motivation.




Talk, Action and Belief


Book Description

Talk, action and belief: How the intentionality model combines attachment-oriented psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy Contents List of illustrations and tables Preface I Overview 1 - The problems of practising The lack of consensus across schools Not justifying practice by empirical research alone Ethical and effective practice Against the provision of a narrow set of interventions 2 - The intentionality of consciousness Overview Eight prerequisites of intentionality for change Some conclusions about single forms of intentionality Composite or complex combinations of intentionality 3 - The intentionality model Mapping experiential differences The commonality of intentionality in talk and action Ten keys to the intentionality model Towards criteria for good practice II Psychodynamics of providing ad receiving care through talk and action 4 - Using attachment theory for understanding relationships The need for an experientially-based theory Defining empathy Husserl's account of empathy The consequences of empathy Intersubjectivity is the social condition for knowledge and understanding Introducing attachment The strange situation Dynamic thinking about attachment The map of attachment 5 - The inter-relation between self and other Professional and personal aspects of attachment One-way and two-way caring The continuum: Avoidance, ambivalence and security Avoidance Ambivalence Security Overview of general insecure attachment dynamics The insecure view of self The insecure view of the other The future of the relationship Conclusion on security 6 - The basics of talking and relating Defining communication The psychological reality of attachment Contemporary research on attachment processes: The dance of attachment The positive contribution of Freud Resistance Mis-empathy Working with resistance and mis-empathy 7 - Working to increase security Overview The dynamics of attachment as the greatest contributory factor Towards a sufficiently secure therapeutic relationship Criteria for promoting secure attachment Introducing the social skills for talking and relating Discussion of bad practice: Criteria for decreasing security Criteria for bad practice On the emotional reactions of therapists Working with client emotions Five recommendations about good practice 8 - Action, choice and motivation Behaviour therapy On choice Practical intentionality as part of the whole The extent of the ego Choosing and wanting Personality and social choices Motivation supports choice Promoting behavioural change as the most ethical therapy Healing through exposure to anxiety III Psychopathology, belief and the treatment of belief 9 - The psychological worldview of the intentionality model Introduction Intentionality as the link between personality, problem, practice and self-management More details on the intentionalities Putting the pieces together: Intentionality, sense, object, context Meaning is a social phenomenon On cultural objects The living sense of self as the basis of personality The basics for a qualitative psychology of self in context Varying senses of self In closing: The use of these ideas 10 - The biopsychosocial view of personalities and problems Introduction Biological Social Psychological Addressing personalities and problems as a whole Personality as social Understanding the defensive function of the personality Discussion Conclusion for the biopsychosocial view 11 - Hermeneutics and belief The argument of this chapter Different interpretations of self at different points in the lifespan Overview of psychological hermeneutics Therapy examples Understanding everyday experience Belief as the result of interpretation The philosophical understanding of belief Husserl on belief Psychological beliefs Implicit and explicit belief Closing discussion 12 - Examples of interpreting belief The work of belief Growing up is learning how to believe Unchanging belief as representative of problems Examples of belief driving self




Feeling Good


Book Description

National Bestseller – More than five million copies sold worldwide! From renowned psychiatrist Dr. David D. Burns, the revolutionary volume that popularized Dr. Aaron T. Beck’s cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and has helped millions combat feelings of depression and develop greater self-esteem. Anxiety and depression are the most common mental illnesses in the world, affecting 18% of the U.S. population every year. But for many, the path to recovery seems daunting, endless, or completely out of reach. The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and other "black holes" of depression can be alleviated. In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M.D., outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven techniques that will immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life, enabling you to: Nip negative feelings in the bud Recognize what causes your mood swings Deal with guilt Handle hostility and criticism Overcome addiction to love and approval Build self-esteem Feel good every day This groundbreaking, life-changing book has helped millions overcome negative thoughts and discover joy in their daily lives. You owe it to yourself to FEEL GOOD! "I would personally evaluate David Burns' Feeling Good as one of the most significant books to come out of the last third of the Twentieth Century."—Dr. David F. Maas, Professor of English, Ambassador University