Author : Will Menaker
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 292 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (555 download)
Book Synopsis Congruence of Patient and Therapist Conceptions of Psychotherapy and Its Impact on Treatment by : Will Menaker
Download or read book Congruence of Patient and Therapist Conceptions of Psychotherapy and Its Impact on Treatment written by Will Menaker and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study was designed with four aims: (1) to assess the level of congruence between therapists' and patients' conception of psychotherapy, (2) to compare the views of psychotherapy held by first-time and returning patients, (3) to examine the degree to which patients' expectations change across time and, (4) to assess the relationship between level of congruence and the process, duration and outcome of treatment. In addressing these aims, four separate sets of analyses were conducted. In the first, the preferences regarding role behavior and expectations regarding duration of 255 patients in individual outpatient psychotherapy were compared to therapists' actual role behaviors and expectations regarding duration. In the second analysis, the preferences regarding role behavior and expectations regarding duration and improvement of first-time patients were compared with those of returning patients. In the third analysis, patients' expectations regarding duration along with their preferences for directive and non-directive role behavior were assessed at fixed intervals across treatment. The fourth analysis assessed the impact of within-dyad congruence on process, duration and outcome. Results indicate the majority of patients were well informed concerning the basic nature of psychotherapy and generally desired role behaviors congruent with those therapists employed. Areas of notable incongruence included the expectation of duration and the provision of guidance and advice by the therapist. The preferences and expectations of returning patients were in closer alignment with what therapists were offering and expecting than were the preferences and expectations of first-time patients. Assessing expectations and preferences across time within a single episode of treatment indicating these constructs are quite stable. Neither ANOVA's nor correlational analyses yielded any evidence of a consistent relationship between within-dyad congruence and Therapeutic Bond, duration or improvement. These results are discussed in light of their implications for future research.