Objective: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). Method: Hierarchical linear modeling software was used to synthesize the primary studies to calculate an overall effect size estimate and test for between-study variability. Results: Solution-focused brief therapy demonstrated small but…

Objective: Heavy episodic drinking remains a significant problem on college campuses. Although most interventions for college students are behavioral, pharmacological treatments, such as naltrexone, could provide additional options. Participants: The authors evaluated receptivity to various alcohol treatment options in a general population of…

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;…

Notes 1986 as marking the 50th birthday of group therapy and briefly reviews the history of group therapy beginning with the first group therapy session conducted by Paul Schilder in the 1930s. (NB)

Surveyed lay people (N=86) about the relationship between religion and psychotherapy. Results showed that the majority of the respondents distinguish between religious and secular psychotherapy and that they want religion to be included in psychotherapy. (LLL)

Describes the three major approaches to play therapy: psychoanalytic, structured, and relationship approaches. Discussion focuses on problems of interpretation in the psychoanalytic approach, release of pent-up emotions in the structured approach, and phases of play and therapist guidelines in nondirective, relationship therapy. (RH)

Presents and evaluates four systematic eclectic models of psychotherapy: Beutler's eclectic psychotherapy; Howard, Nance, and Myers' adaptive counseling and therapy; Lazarus' multimodal therapy; and Prochaska and DiClemente's transtheoretical approach. Examines support for these models and makes conceptual and empirical recommendations.…

Presents an interview with George Gazda. Includes his assessment of the current status of group work, the future trends, and his contributions to the field. (Author/PVV)

Offers an overview of the root metaphors and philosophical assumptions associated with formism, mechanism, contextualism, and organicism, the four world views described in Pepper's 1942 philosophical treatise and his presentation of root metaphor theory. Examines recent and historical trends of development in counseling theory and practice within…

Explores the history of the relationship between religion and psychology, integration difficulties within psychotherapy, and recommendations for problem resolution. Presents two religious frameworks psychologists can use to reduce conflicts and enhance religious concerns. Concludes psychology has a responsibility to examine the religious realm in…

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)

Examines nature of therapist spiritual and religious values and impact of these values on psychotherapy practice. Suggests that integration of therapist spiritual and religious values with therapist epistemic values to accommodate spiritual and religious needs of both client and counselor should be goal of effective treatment. Includes 28…

Offers 15 humorous questions and answers for certifying Bards for poetry therapy who, once certified, will know exactly what to do when an irresistible farce faces down an immovable objective correlative. (SR)

Considers inquiry into the nature and process of change to be fundamental to the domains of counseling and psychotherapy. Clarifies distinction between first- and second-order change. Proposes that rationalist approaches to counseling are guided by first-order assumptions about change whereas constructivist approaches are based on second-order…