Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. School of Family Life, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p.25-31).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Marriage and Family Therapy, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-32).

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 20-22).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-161). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Duquesne University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 92-108) and index.

In this study psychotherapy training is described from a new epistemological perspective. This perspective, based upon new science and physics and Batesonian evolution, embodies elements of holism, reciprocity, circularity and a both/and view of the universe. From a new epistemological perspective understandings of psychotherapy training are constructed, not discovered. By precluding the notion of absolute truth, an infinite variety of alternative constructions of training becomes possible. The conceptual map constructed in this study incorporates a process model for the training of systemic psychotherapists. In terms of this model, training should be a context where various orders of learning are encountered by student and trainer. In particular, the trainees must learn how to differentiate from each other and how to separate from the trainer. Three evolutionary stages of training are identified to describe how an emancipatory learning context may be created. It is suggested that training may never be concluded. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Movies or films may be integrated into psychosocial interventions as springboards for conversation to enhance therapeutic gains. Therapeutic and inspirational engagements with movie texts, as opposed to viewing for entertainment, provide narratives that describe, interrogate and revise unique histories and culturally-mediated subjectivities. To examine narrative outcomes of the application of this strategy, a study was conducted with self-identified gay men in a group context. A postmodern paradigm with philosophical correlates from literary and critical perspectives framed the research approach. A hermeneutic method of investigation involving a reading guide extracted themes that emerged from the therapeutic conversations about connections to pre-selected movies. The first theme, a developmental lens, offered narratives of social isolation, intimacy, coming out and identity turmoil. The second theme, a local community lens, offered narratives of social hostility, religious values and monetary forces. The impact of integrating movies into therapy was evaluated within these narratives. A qualitative and self-reflexive approach enabled the creation of a postmodern research product, including the representation of the theme of community meanings in a modified screenplay format as a negotiation between creative and traditional writing practices. The use of movies in this study offered distinctive narrative findings about the sexuality of the participants, although their engagement with movies implied that conditions for useful therapeutic conversation depend upon psychological viewing characteristics. / Dr. Alban Burke

M.Cur. / In the out-patient section of the Adolescent Unit at Tara, The H Moross Centre, certain problem areas were identified. In this section, adolescents with mostly behaviour problems are evaluated and where necessary, family therapy service is rendered or the patient may be admitted depending on the type and severity of the problem. The problems experienced in this section became very pressing due to the uneven ratio between the demand for the service and the availability of staff. At the centre of these problems lies the issue of resistance in the family towards change, resulting in broken appointments and premature termination of therapy. A lot of time is also wasted by faulty referrals and data gathering 1s in itself, very time-consuming. A new nursing need emerged out of these problems. Firstly, the emotional preparation of the family and, secondly, as part of her role as member of the therapeutic team, to gather relevant data which will aid the development of an adequate diagnosis of the family. A post was created on an experimental basis for the nurse to conduct an initial interview with families at home. At the same time it was decided to evaluate the effectiveness of this home visit through an empirical study to justify this service.

Magister Curationis / Because children have different needs and function differently from adults, special training for leaders of children's groups is required. Child group psychotherapy is a unique treatment modality and it requires specific facilitation skills. The primary objective of child group psychotherapy is to improve the child's immediate adaptation to his or her life situation, build ego strength and teach problem-solving skills. The aim of the study was to explore the knowledge, skills and attributes of facilitators of psychotherapeutic groups for children. / South Africa

This study investigated how a therapist and clients created couple change over the course of 15 sessions of Experiential Systemic Therapy (ExST) for the marital treatment of alcohol dependency. The aim of this research was to explore how change occurred during a single case of successful ExST and to refine and expand ExST theory. ExST has been shown to be an effective treatment for couple recovery from alcohol dependence yet little research has focused on how change occurs in ExST. The case selected for analysis was an exemplar of successful ExST couples therapy. The case met several criteria for success including therapist and client satisfaction with therapy, the cessation of alcoholic drinking, increased marital satisfaction at posttest and follow-up periods, and evidence of in-session couple change. Two therapy episodes containing relational novelty (couple change) were analyzed using the Comprehensive Discourse Analysis procedure. The results of this study highlighted the existence of a subtype of relational novelty called syncretic relational novelty. Syncretic change refers to the generation of intimacy by therapist and couple where initially there existed disparate beliefs and behaviour that isolated system members. The study found that the couple’s distance oriented beliefs and practices were reconciled and intimacy was enhanced through the employment of intense experiential activities and the provision of a collaborative therapeutic atmosphere. These two activities fostered increased couple intimacy by encouraging clients to engage one another through self disclosure, empathy, shared vulnerability, increased cooperation and greater personal awareness. Couple intimacy was fostered during experiential activity through a carefully paced intensification of clients’ thoughts, feelings and physical sensations. In addition, intimacy was facilitated by the therapist when she accepted clients’ experiences and adopted clients’ language styles. As well as working collaboratively, the therapist acted as a therapeutic guide interceding during harmful spousal interactions, altering the therapy agenda at client request, promoting joint decision-making and valuing marginalized client experience. Recommendations based on these findings were made for the refinement and expansion of ExST theory. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate