Neil Jacobson is a leader in research-based efforts to improve behavioral couples therapy. This interview focuses on his professional journey toward an integrative model, as well as his thoughts about the future directions of behavioral therapy and family counseling. The integrative-couples therapy model is described and discussed. (Author/EMK)

Empirical evidence supports cognitive-behavioral interventions for the treatment Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with exposure therapy typically being the most frequently utilized. While the success of exposure treatments is well established there are factors which may hinder their use in "real-world" settings (e.g., poor treatment…

Serious sequelae of youth depression, plus recent concerns over medication safety, prompt growing interest in the effects of youth psychotherapy. In previous meta-analyses, effect sizes (ESs) have averaged 0.99, well above conventional standards for a large effect and well above mean ES for other conditions. The authors applied rigorous analytic…

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are associated with high degrees of impairment and often respond inadequately to pharmacotherapy alone. In recent years, numerous clinical trials have been published showing the benefits of adjunctive cognitive behavior therapy for treating psychosis. However, research in this area has been hampered by…

The study was a qualitative investigation aimed at therapists' responses to working with a population of incestuous sexual abusers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine therapists who were recruited from psychotherapy, psychology, and forensic psychology services in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. The predominant…

Researchers have recently suggested that the commonalities across the emotional disorders outweigh the differences, and thus similar treatment principles could be applied in unified interventions. In this study, the authors used a benchmarking strategy to investigate the transportability of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and…

Mentally retarded individuals may have chronic emotional problems or emotional responses to such stress and conflict situations as attending separate classes, moving to a new living situation, or being separated from family. Frequently service networks for mentally retarded persons do not consider the need for emotional assistance, as demonstrated…

In this study, nutrition therapy was found to be an important variable in the successful treatment of alcoholism. Traditional treatment methods, such as psychological and institutional approaches, social and group therapy, and chemotherapy, are noted. Research on nutritional needs of individuals has led to an orthomolecular concept which holds…

Investigated the effects of therapy modality and self-disclosure tendency and gender. High N=40 and 40 low scorers on a modified self-disclosure questionnaire were asked to rate audiotapes of simulated therapy sessions on several dimensions. High self-disclosers preferred client-centered therapy and low self-disclosers preferred systematic…

Outlines theory, research, and procedures of stress inoculation training. Discusses three phases of conceptualization, skill acquisition and rehearsal, and application and follow-through. Provides guidelines for selection and design of individual and group application of stress inoculation training. (Author/NB)

Describes the rationale, methodology, and scope of a new form of psychotherapy, Verbal Satiation Therapy, based on assumption that language symbols stand for real objects and events. Verbal symbols may produce emotional responses normally associated with the objects themselves. Verbal Satiation Therapy attempts to reduce the emotional component of…

Ascertained whether diagnostic feedback had a positive influence on treatment outcome. Snake-fearful females took psychological tests and were randomly assigned to treatment conditions. The greatest therapeutic improvement resulted for the enhanced-personality-feedback-with-treatment group as compared to the treatment-only group. The…

Paradoxical intention helps clients separate themselves from their neurotic symptoms. The client is instructed to exaggerate the symptom and finds, paradoxically, the symptom occurs less. In provocative exaggeration symptoms are described so as to evoke laughter at the very symptom that causes anxiety. (Author)

Described is a new approach to family therapy which treats emotional problems by exploring here-and-now interpersonal relationships within the basic human group. This approach portends a drastic revision of the role that psychotherapy should play in our society. (Author/KC)

Reviews issues relevant to the use of humor in children's therapy. Discusses applications in the following contexts: (1) psychodynamic psychotherapy; (2) behavioral treatments of phobias; (3) family therapy; and (4) purposeful use of games and stories. (FMW)