Students with examination anxiety took part in study of effectiveness of two kinds of treatment, structured psychodrama and systematic desensitization, in reducing test anxiety. Results showed that subjects in both treatment groups significantly reduced test-anxiety scores. Structured psychodrama is as effective as systematic desensitization in…

A qualitative study of 30 counselors or psychotherapists revealed numerous themes. These major themes include the following: transition by the practitioner toward the use of healing; the taboo over talking about spiritual and healing experiences; the nature of healing as distinct from therapy; supervision difficulties; and the concept of spiritual…

Notes that research suggests no significant difference in rates of dropout between adolescents and adults. Describes termination of psychotherapy with adolescent patient to examine specific quality of adolescent dropouts. Contends that strong counter-transference feelings evoked in therapist tends to maintain impression of adolescents' proclivity…

Developed methodology for evaluation of assimilation model in which both experimental rigor and clinical sensitivity are priorities. Methodology was applied to good-outcome case. Results supported assimilation model's hypothesized progression by which problematic experience is successfully incorporated into schema, and ratings highlighted one…

Depressed clients (n=117), stratified for severity, completed 8 or 16 sessions of manualized treatment, either cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CB) or psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy (PI). On most measures, CB and PI were equally effective, irrespective of severity of depression or duration of treatment. Found evidence of some…

Responds to comments by Norcross and Rossi (this issue) concerning Shapiro et al.'s (this issue) article comparing psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating depression. Contends that power of analyses in original study was sufficient to address substantive questions at issue. (Author/NB)

Sees cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as applicable to all eating disorders but most intensively studied in treatment of bulimia nervosa. Briefly reviews most commonly used cognitive treatments for eating disorders, provides critical evaluation of their effectiveness, and speculates about their mechanisms of action. Notes that CBT has not been…

Discusses the Black consciousness psychology or philosophy of Steve Biko, the political activist who died in police detention in the 1970s in South Africa. Aspects relating to empowerment, self-concept development, internalization of racism, and racial identity theory of Black people are examined. Suggests that the "frank talk" method is…

This report considers the effective and varied components of treatment of an uncommon manifestation of conversion disorder in an adolescent girl. The patient was referred for treatment of hearing loss with no apparent organic cause. The treatment approach was multifaceted and based on general principles for treatment of conversion disorder in…

The Employment Department's invitation to bid for pilot programs for work-based competency training represents a contrast to off-the-job academic training. Informed debate and empirical findings would contribute to the constructive management of these changes. However, Kidd et al.'s research on careers officers' use of theory in guidance…

Describes a short-term, strategic, solution-focused self-esteem group in an outpatient mental health setting. Discusses constructs that form foundations of both strategic and group therapies. Training, supervision, and outcome issues arising from integrating the two therapies are addressed. (Author/NB)

Reports experience with 14 adolescent cases of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Discusses adolescents' tendency not to cooperate with behavior therapy and medication, and the usefulness of psychotherapy in treating these patients. Concludes that non-specific milieu therapy leads to recovery in a majority of adolescent obsessive compulsives. Admits…

Investigated the effects of group therapy on latency-age children lacking social skills. Found that experimental boys were more realistic about their friendship relationships after treatment than were control group boys. Girls' perceptions were significantly correlated at the end of treatment, whether they were experimental or control subjects.…

Examines the current usage of Western counseling and psychotherapeutic models with a special emphasis on the local realities of Turkish culture. Reviews the current status of the application of Western models along with the related practices in Turkish clinical and nonclinical settings. Stresses the role of the Turkish counselor within the…

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…