Critically reviews clinical outcome literature on efficacy of paradoxical interventions in psychotherapy over last seven years. Examines studies under headings of paradoxical intention studies, symptom prescription studies, and reframing studies. Concludes with general evaluation of current standing of paradoxical interventions and calls for…

Few contemporary developments in psychology rival the impact of working alliance theory. This construct can predict psychotherapy outcomes to an extent unknown previously. Yet despite the importance of working alliance theory to effective psychotherapy, only a few articles on this topic have appeared in resources commonly read by professional…

The discipline of philosophical counseling is a relatively young field. The nature of philosophical counseling, and the search for wisdom on which it is based, is explored here. Philosophical counseling is a process, based on philosophizing, in which the counselor aids the counselee in a personal journey directed at education and wisdom. Such a…

Results do not support the general concensus of earlier researchers that whites generally respond more favorably than blacks to counseling and psychotherapy. Study concludes that for the black females the long term effects of group counseling are substantially superior. (Author/AM)

This theoretical paper is based on the premise that nearly all people who enter therapy do so, to varying degrees, with the wish (conscious or unconscious demand) to have dependent longing and affectional needs gratified in the therapy itself. The conditions under, and the extent to which, the therapist provides direct gratification are crucial…

The utility of employing elevated scores on the Depression and Psychasthenia scales of the MMPI as an indicator of a genuine, enduring clinical problem was investigated for a male college student population. Pilot data suggest that MMPI scale scores decrease following psychotherapy but not with the passage of time alone. (Author)

Self-disclosure to a therapist was investigated with 120 female subjects who viewed a video-taped vignette of a simulated psychotherapy session. Therapist self-disclosure was manipulated so that subjects saw a therapist exhibiting no disclosure, interpersonal disclosure, or intrapersonal disclosure. Subjects rated these therapists on a variety of…

Observation of the treatment process and outcomes research may interfere with self-gratifications and may shatter illusions about a therapist's omnipotence. Consequently, research and evaluation must be understood to threaten, inherently, personal need gratification of therapists. The author discusses several reality-based therapist objections to…

The first study concerns the effects of level of clinical experience of judges on reliability and validity of Experiencing Scale (EXP) ratings. Inexperienced and experienced judges rated tape-segments from psychotherapy sessions. No differences existed between ratings. The second study focuses on the relationships of in-therapy patient…

Selected personality variables, sex, age, interpersonal values, and educational level, were examined as antecedents to preferences for a nondirective (Carl Rogers) or directive (Albert Ellis) therapist. Individuals who preferred the Ellis presentation proved to more dogmatic and externalized than individuals preferring the Rogers presentation.…

Suggests that the issue of group psychotherapy being harmful to some inpatients, although significant, is meaningless in the absence of further specification of what is being done with whom. Emphasizes the need to address therapeutic "casualties." Questions the clinical folklore regarding patients who must be protected from group psychotherapy,…

A clinical setting was used to evaluate therapist characteristics, therapist process, and family process in a short-term systems-behavioral model of family intervention. Families were designated by one of four degrees of therapy outcome. The data suggest that therapist relationship skills may be crucial determinants of therapy success. (Author)

The author examines several of Ellis'"irrational ideas" as they relate specifically to counselors. These ideas provide a convenient vehicle for the discussion of some typical misconceptions about counseling. Counselors are encouraged to analyze their own feelings and thought processes and to determine irrational ideas in addition to those…

Based on a PhD thesis submitted to the Dept. of Psychology at the University of Cincinnati. Reprints from: R.J. Hoffnung, Counseling Service, Univ. of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.