Examines the roles of metaphysics in science and psychotherapy. Examines the views of Karl Popper and Imre Lakatos. Concludes that psychotherapy involves metaphysics in the following ways: (1) problem choice; (2) research and therapy design; (3) observation statements; (4) resolving the Duhemian problem; and (5) including anomalous results in…

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…

Investigates the differences between 97 patients who had prematurely terminated psychotherapy and 81 who had participated in individual psychotherapy for at least 6 months and 24 sessions on selected Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and Rorschach variables. Theoretical implications of interpersonal variables are discussed in…

Addresses the usefulness of Relationship Enhancement (RE) therapy as a method for working with "narcissistic vulnerability" in couple relationships. This method provides a structured framework for communication in which persons who have historically experienced inadequate empathy observe and practice empathic accuracy. A case example is…

Synthesizes existing literature on group counseling and psychotherapy with Asian Americans. Provides some guidelines on how to prevent premature terminations among these clients. Concludes that success with Asian American clients in group counseling and psychotherapy will rest largely on the group leader's ability and willingness to acquire…

Responds to comments made in previous article by Emery, Fincham, and Cummings concerning Fauber and Long's (1991) discussion of family's role in child psychotherapy. Attempts to clarify areas of possible confusion, including meaning of "contextual variables," parenting as appropriate focus of treatment, assumptions about what is meant by…

Surveyed 72 counseling psychologists regarding perceptions of clients' unrealistic expectations about counseling. Most perceived some clients as having unrealistically high expectations about need for concreteness; likelihood of counselor nurturance, directiveness, and empathy; and probability of beneficial outcome; and unrealistically low…

Describes some of the goals and methodologies of ropes and wilderness adventure interventions as they satisfy the definition of therapeutic recreation, specifically with reference to emotional and/or social dysfunctions among adolescents and adults. The two interventions have some characteristics in common, including supporting theory and group…

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…

Commends Shapiro et al.'s (this issue) article comparing psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy in treating depression. Questions uncritical support of equivalent outcomes conclusion and implicit rejection of differential efficacy among psychotherapies as function of patient variables. Contends that Shapiro et al.…

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)

Notes that spirituality and religion are often related to issues clients raise in therapy. Discusses overlap of therapeutic and religious worlds. Considers how some therapists are dealing with this interface. Outlines several ways religious issues can be integrated into family therapy training programs within larger existing framework of training…

Examined factors that predict dropping out of therapy among children referred for treatment of oppositional, aggressive, and antisocial behavior. Several factors related to family (socioeconomic disadvantage, adverse child-rearing practice), parent (stress, life events, history of antisocial behavior), and child functioning (severity and…

Discusses the narrative, or storytelling, approach to understanding human action and character. Cites several authors who view identity as life-story construction, psychopathology as life stories gone awry, and psychotherapy as exercises in story repair. (DM)