{"title":"Intent to Understand the Meaning of Psychotic Symptoms During Patient-Psychiatrist Interactions.","authors":"Jeremy M Ridenour, Michael Garrett","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research confirms that although patients experiencing psychosis want to speak about their symptoms with psychiatrists, psychiatrists are often hesitant to engage them directly in such conversations because of their fear of colluding, promoting defensiveness, or rupturing the therapeutic alliance. As a result, patients are often left to contend with confusing psychotic experiences, such as hallucinations and delusions, that they cannot make sense of on their own. In this article, the common barriers that prevent engagement in conversations about psychosis are described, and the conventional wisdom about the futility of talking with patients about delusions is challenged. The article suggests that instead of avoiding conversations about psychotic ideas, psychiatrists should embrace an \"intent to understand,\" an inquisitive state of mind even in the face of seemingly incomprehensible symptoms. Such a stance can promote the therapeutic alliance, deepen an understanding of the patient as a person, and facilitate an integrative recovery style. Finally, the article offers clinical pointers, including the importance of behaving courteously and respectfully, listening to the affect expressed in the symptom, and looking for connections between the symptom and painful life experiences. Maintaining an intent to understand may help psychiatric residents-in-training, as well as experienced clinicians, to foster an empathic understanding that builds a positive therapeutic alliance and contributes to more successful pharmacotherapy and psychotherapeutic interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"76 2","pages":"57-61"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9688912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Artificial Intelligence (AI) Psychotherapy: Coming Soon to a Consultation Room Near You?","authors":"Holly A Swartz","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20230018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20230018","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"76 2","pages":"55-56"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9722025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bernadine H Han, Giselle Appel, Jonathan D Avery, Richard Hersh
{"title":"A Psychodynamic Approach to Co-occurring Borderline Personality and Substance Use Disorders in the Emergency Department.","authors":"Bernadine H Han, Giselle Appel, Jonathan D Avery, Richard Hersh","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Patients with co-occurring substance use disorders and borderline personality disorder have high rates of morbidity, mortality, and utilization of medical services. Their acute symptoms present complex challenges to clinical staff in the medical emergency department related to both logistics and management of countertransference. This article examines patterns in countertransference and proposes application of psychodynamically informed principles and strategies to facilitate safety and enhance communication during fraught clinical encounters.</p>","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"76 2","pages":"82-86"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10008473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Randi Libbon, Brian Rothberg, Sarah Baker, Alison Heru
{"title":"Multifamily Group Psychotherapy for Patients With Nonepileptic Seizures and Their Families.","authors":"Randi Libbon, Brian Rothberg, Sarah Baker, Alison Heru","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20210060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20210060","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Multifamily group (MFG) psychotherapy is widely used for mental and general medical conditions. MFG therapy engages family members in caring for a loved one experiencing illness and helps clarify the impact of illness on family. Use of MFG therapy for patients with nonepileptic seizures (NES) and their families to explore satisfaction with treatment and family functioning is described.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>MFG therapy for patients with NES and their participating family members was incorporated into an existing interdisciplinary group-based psychotherapy treatment program. The Family Assessment Device and a novel feedback questionnaire were used to understand the effect of MFG therapy on this population.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients with NES (N=29) and their corresponding family members (N=29) indicated on the feedback questionnaire their satisfaction with having MFG therapy as part of their treatment; satisfaction was also evidenced by a 79% (N=49 of 62) patient participation rate. Patients and family members reported enhanced understanding of the impact of illness on the family and believed MFG therapy would help them communicate about illness and reduce family conflict. Scores on the Family Assessment Device indicated that family members perceived better family functioning than did patients (average scores of 1.84 and 2.99, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The discrepancy in perceived family functioning supports the idea of integrating family members in treatment for patients experiencing NES. The group treatment modality was satisfactory to participants and may prove useful for other kinds of somatic symptom disorders, which are often external manifestations of internal distress. Family members can become treatment allies in psychotherapy when included in treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"76 2","pages":"62-68"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9636211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stephanie K Chang, Laurel D Pellegrino, Barbara S McCann
{"title":"Development of Psychiatric Residents as Psychotherapists: Effectiveness of a Psychotherapy Pathway.","authors":"Stephanie K Chang, Laurel D Pellegrino, Barbara S McCann","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and impact of participation by psychiatric residents in an academic institution's tiered psychotherapy pathway.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The authors invited pathway graduates who earned an area of distinction between 2013 and 2020 (N=22) to complete an anonymous online survey about their pathway experiences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirteen graduates (59%) responded to the survey. Most respondents (92%) agreed that participating in the pathway exposed them to many psychotherapy modalities, and most (92%) agreed that their participation facilitated an in-depth understanding of one or more psychotherapy modalities of personal interest. In written comments, respondents practicing across different settings noted that pathway participation had positively influenced their career development.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The survey results highlight the educational and professional benefits of developing a psychotherapy pathway for psychiatric residents with varying career plans.</p>","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"76 2","pages":"87-90"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9627127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabor I Keitner, Abigail K Mansfield, Joan E Kelley
{"title":"The Brief Multidimensional Assessment Scale (BMAS): A Broad Measure of Patient Well-Being.","authors":"Gabor I Keitner, Abigail K Mansfield, Joan E Kelley","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This article discusses the development and initial clinimetric and psychometric properties of the Brief Multidimensional Assessment Scale (BMAS). The BMAS is an ultrabrief multidimensional measure of global patient well-being that can be used at every clinic visit to assess several facets of patients' perception of themselves, regardless of their diagnosis, at a moment in time and over the course of treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were collected from 499 adults in the community as well as from psychiatric and medical inpatient and outpatient settings. Participants completed questionnaires as part of their standard care at inpatient and outpatient medical and psychiatric settings or completed them online (community sample).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results indicate that the BMAS measures four discrete dimensions: the ability to get things done, emotional support in important relationships, quality of life, and sense of purpose in life. The scale demonstrates concurrent validity with other measures and discriminates between nonclinical participants and participants from most clinical contexts.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The BMAS demonstrates promising initial psychometric properties. It offers clinicians a multidimensional measure of their patients' well-being, regardless of diagnosis, that can be used to monitor well-being at each routine appointment and over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"76 2","pages":"75-81"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2023-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9634965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Student Reflections on the Paucity of Psychotherapy Education in U.S. Medical Schools.","authors":"Jacob B Rosewater, Sai A Kollipara, Mika D Mintz","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20210033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20210033","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"75 4","pages":"191-193"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10838617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"\"Know Thyself\": Supporting Personal Psychotherapy During Psychiatry Residency.","authors":"Megan E Pruette","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220022","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"75 4","pages":"151-153"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10529137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Niloofar Rafiei Alhosaini, Hossein Zarrin, Hasan Rezaei-Jamalouei
{"title":"Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Women With Depression in Iran.","authors":"Niloofar Rafiei Alhosaini, Hossein Zarrin, Hasan Rezaei-Jamalouei","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy, developed to treat major depressive disorder. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation of the effects of IPT on depressive symptoms and quality of life among women with depression in Iran.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult women ages ≥18 who met <i>DSM-5</i> criteria for a current major depressive episode (N=30) were randomly assigned to receive 12 weeks of individual IPT or to a waitlist control (WLC) group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with women assigned to WLC, those assigned to IPT had significantly lower depression scores (F=155.1; df=1 and 26; p<0.001) and higher quality-of-life scores (F=137.5; df=1 and 26; p<0.001) posttreatment, with controls for pretreatment values.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Compared with WLC, IPT was associated with greater reductions in depression and improvements in quality of life, suggesting the promise of this approach for treating depression among Iranian women.</p>","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"75 4","pages":"181-185"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10348957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Politics and Religion: Revisiting Psychotherapy's Third Rail.","authors":"Wynn Schwartz","doi":"10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20210052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20210052","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46822,"journal":{"name":"AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY","volume":"75 4","pages":"177-180"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2022-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10476726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}