The rationale for the use of logotherapy in the context of substance use treatment is introduced. The article reviews prior group applications of logotherapy and offers a clinical curriculum for a group application of logotherapy tailored to the substance use treatment context. Furthermore, the article provides a discussion of the specifics of the…

The use of humor in psychotherapy is discussed in this book. Part A focuses on humor itself. The first chapter discusses what makes things funny. The situational aspects of humor, witticism, joke-telling skills, ethnic humor, puns, and laughter are discussed. The second chapter presents three types of theories of humor: release-related theories;…

Explicates a sonnet by Hellen Jaskoski to illustrate the benefits of the therapeutic use of poetry. Gives particular attention to organization, condensation, clarification, safety, catharsis, and mastery. (SR)

Argues that Lavinia of "Titus Andronicus" is Shakespeare's metaphor for the wounds of division between spoken and written word, who talks in signs, and is both poet and agent of healing: the poem's capacity to sustain the passion of rapture and its capacity to shape a house of consciousness for the particular movement within the…

This case describes bodily experiences that appeared to cue child sexual abuse memories during psychotherapy by a woman who was amnesic for her childhood and suffered from chronic dissociative states. Though corroboration was unavailable, she became increasingly confident about her returning memories. Special efforts were made to avoid making…

Externalization of problems as a component of narrative therapy has been well defined by such authors as Epston and White, and Freedman and Combs. This study reflects the voices and experiences of 17 participants who engaged in an innovative externalization exercise combining sculpture and journaling over a period of 4 weeks. In an attempt to…

A study examined the extent to which parents and adolescents participating in the Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS) understood the study. The results concluded that most were well-informed, and also parents were overall better informed than adolescents.

Responds to Mahoney and Lyddon's review of constructivism in previous article by discussing several major problems that should be resolved if constructivism is to become widely accepted alternative to prevalent rationalist therapies. Included are issues of authority, pathology, and intervention. (NB)

Describes healthy aspects of passivity and explores Gendlin's focusing, emphasizing its usefulness in cultivating receptive passivity. Focusing teaches clients to assume a nonjudgmental attitude toward themselves and allow for deepening self-awareness. (JAC)

Drew 85 outcome studies from 9 journals from 1984 through 1986. Examined data in each article to provide estimates of effect sizes and to evaluate statistical power at posttreatment and follow-up. Findings indicated that power of studies to detect differences between treatment and no treatment was generally quite adequate given relatively large…

Underscores differences among unsystematic eclecticism, theoretical integrationism, and technical eclecticism. Present brief case history to demonstrate how and why combination of theories and smorgasbord conception of eclecticism yields clinical confusion rather than therapeutic precision. Explains why atheoretical or mechanistic procedures must…

Discusses the ancient "Bardic Mystery" and its descent into the body to let an old Self die. Analyzes the poetry of three contemporary poets to provide substantial support for the role of the poet in the therapeutic process. Connects self-discovery, transformation, and communal awareness to the healing aspects of the lyric, epic, and…

With the significant growth of the Muslim population in the United States, there has been a corresponding increase in the need for mental health services. The author discusses techniques for incorporating Islamic beliefs and practices in the counseling process. The fundamental goal is to ensure ethical and effective treatment for Muslim clients.

Although it is well established that psychotherapy is remarkably effective, the change process in psychotherapy is not well understood. Psychotherapy is compared with medicine and cultural healing practices to argue that critical aspects of psychotherapy involve human processes that are used in religious, spiritual, and cultural healing practices.…

Evidence suggests that a moderate amount of variance in patient outcomes is attributable to therapist differences. However, explained variance estimates vary widely, perhaps because some therapists achieve greater success with certain kinds of patients. This study assessed the amount of variance in across-session change in symptom intensity…