In describing the self as an organized system of valuations, valuation refers to anything a person finds important in his or her everyday situation. Describes a self-confrontation method of making a person's system of valuations explicit, illustrating with case study. The person as self-investigator reflects on experiences in a dialogical…

Examined the impact of a specific therapist disclosure (previous involvement in therapy as a client) upon subjects' (N=175) perceptions of the therapist and the therapeutic relationship. Results indicated that subjects viewed the disclosing therapist as having more favorable personal and therapeutic abilities than the nondisclosing therapist. (LLL)

Publicly funded psychiatric inpatient institutions focus increasingly on stabilization and relapse prevention, readying patients for rapid community reentry. Growing emphasis on consumer satisfaction and professionals' accountability for efficient outcomes has coincided with increasing cost concerns. Since staffing limitations mandate innovative…

Although plentiful information is available about the long-term treatment of sexual abuse survivors, a framework for the short-term treatment of this population is lacking in the literature. A preliminary model of screening and goal-setting in short-term therapy for survivors, to be used at university and college counseling centers, is presented…

Identifies several of the most important forms of recent and current family research and family therapy that are important to clinicians. Suggests that the reunion of clinical and research interests signifies a new growth of the family therapy field. (Author/JAC)

Examined the acceptability of four therapeutic models (i.e., behavioral, psychoanalytic, systems, and eclectic) used in treatment of marital discord. Subjects (N=88) evaluated four treatment sequences as they applied to a marital case history. Results showed that, among varying treatments, behavioral and systems approaches were rated more…

Subjected Shostrom's films of Rogers, Lazarus, and Shostrom working with a patient to a content analysis using the system developed by Zimmer and Cowles. Differences in verbal activity on the part of therapist and patient were noted, appearing consistent with the principles of the various therapies. (Author)

Explored the impact of group hypnotic and self-hypnotic training on the academic performance and self-esteem of learning disabled (LD) children. Important predictors of self-esteem improvement were the child's hypnotic susceptibility score and self-hypnotic practice by children and parents. Hypnotherapy is of potential benefit to self-esteem…

Demonstrated that through brief demythologizing, college students' attitudes toward mental illness could be changed significantly in a nonmedical model or psychosocial direction and that this attitude change apparently induced students to report a significantly reduced fear of contracting mental illness. (Author)

The techniques of initiating and terminating therapeutic encounters have been disproportionately represented in the literature of strategic therapy. Using the patient's own report, the middle phase of therapy for severe marital difficulty is illustrated. Central to the final outcome was a paradoxical instruction. (Author)

Loneliness and isolation of older adults can be treated with group therapy. Group methods such as reality orientation, remotivation, reminiscing and psychotherapy groups can increase social interaction but require special consideration of environment, scheduling and individual limitation as well as counselor training. (JAC)

Twice interviewed 13 psychotherapy clients about their experiences with helpful instances of therapist self-disclosure. Results indicate that helpful therapist self-disclosures resulted in positive consequences that included insights or a new perspective from which to make changes, an improved or more equalized therapeutic relationship,…

The kinesthetic track back technique accesses the origins of current symptoms and may uncover previously repressed/dissociated material, if such material exists in the client's unconscious mind, is relevant to the symptoms, and is ready to be processed consciously. Case examples are given to illustrate proper use of this technique. (LSR)

Considers three empirically supported strategies that will strengthen counseling productivity: client assessment, matching of client and counselor, and relationship enhancement. Reviews of the literature on outcomes in counseling agree that counseling works. Research can also be used to identify strategies for increasing the probability of…

Summarizes how outcome research methodologies can be incorporated into counseling practice in many settings. Discusses the steps involved in performing an outcome or evaluative study, which is followed by specific information concerning instruments and techniques for use in the areas of mental health counseling, career counseling, and school…