This qualitative study aimed to investigate psychotherapy clients’ phenomenological experience of positive regard. Though positive regard is broadly accepted as a useful and effective clinical tool across orientations, it has been under-researched and overlooked in favor of more clearly conceptualized variables, such as empathy and working alliance. Designed as a follow-up to a quantitative study that yielded a tentative factor structure and inventory for measuring positive regard (Psychotherapist Expressions of Positive Regard, PEPR), the study also aimed to elucidate the extent to which those findings could be replicated in a qualitative format. Following Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) methodology, 15 psychotherapy clients, primarily white women, participated in semi-structured interviews eliciting the factors that contribute to their experience of positive regard in therapy, the absence of positive regard in therapy, and the impact of positive regard on the course of psychotherapy. Nine domains and several key findings emerged from the analysis. While clients named a wide range of therapist behaviors and actions that served as markers of positive regard in the relationship, three constituent attitudes appeared repeatedly throughout the CQR categories, suggesting an underlying tripartite structure of positive regard – warm authenticity, flexible responsiveness, and empathic understanding. Clients viewed positive regard as a crucial ingredient of therapy, suggesting that it facilitates self-disclosure, risk-taking, personal growth, and rupture resolution. In relationships where positive regard was lacking, clients became disengaged from treatment, and terminating without explanation was not uncommon. Clinical implications and recommendations for optimizing the experience of positive regard are offered. The substantial overlap and interdependence of positive regard with the other Rogerian facilitative conditions of congruence and empathy is discussed. Convergence and divergence between the PEPR factor structure and the results of the current study are also highlighted, with future directions proposed.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2001. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Title from certificate page: Both sides of the coin : comparative analyses of narrative process patterns in poor and good outcome dyads engaged in brief experiential psychotherapy for depression. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 182-193). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ66392.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-70). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-70). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2009. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1970. / Vita. Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, 2002. / A thesis submitted in fulfillment of he requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Western Sydney, School of Social Ecology and Lifelong Learning, College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences, Oct. 2002. Bibliography : p. 303-321.

The social work profession requires the accumulation of theory, knowledge, skills and their integration into practice. The department of social work at UNISA trains students according to the person-centred approach (PCA). The question thus arises whether the social workers trained in PCA at UNISA are able to integrate theory into practice in their different areas of employment. Exploring this would give the department of social work an opportunity to re-visit the teaching of PCA and make some improvements if necessary. The qualitative study was conducted with social workers employed in different welfare organizations in Pretoria. The following themes emerged from the analysis: the perceived significance of building relationship with clients, the organizational influence in counselling, unique experiences with regard to colleagues who graduated from other institutions, challenges in handling a conflict or crisis situation, and lastly the nature of statutory cases. The conclusions were drawn and recommendations were presented. / Social Science / M.A. (Mental Health)

The present study applies Driver and Gottman’s (2004a) Turning System to observations of the therapeutic relationship in a quasi-experimental between and within groups design. A sample of 63 full counseling sessions (21 first sessions with clients who return for four sessions, 21 first sessions for clients who terminate therapy prior to four sessions, and 21 fourth sessions) were collected from a university counseling center in South Florida. Clients and clinicians also completed self report evaluations of the therapeutic relationship that were also included in this study (Working Alliance Inventory – Short Form, and the Real Relationship Inventory). A series of multivariate analysis of the variance (MANOVA) tests were performed to assess for significant differences in Turning System behavior between return and dropout groups in the first sessions of therapy, as well as for significant differences between return groups’ first and fourth sessions. Correlation analyses were run for client and therapist self report data and Turning System codes. Overall, the Turning System codes did not predict attrition from therapy; however, significant effects were found for specific behaviors in the return versus dropout comparisons, including client’s uses of negative bids, high level questions, and preoccupied away responses. The Turning System also did not predict clear differences between behaviors in ongoing therapy, though significant effects were again found for individual behaviors enacted by both clients and therapists. Significant negative correlations were also found for return group clients between specific behaviors and ratings of the therapeutic alliance, such as high level questions and preoccupied away responses. Individual behaviors in the therapist return group, such as high level questions, negative bids, and interruptions, correlated negatively with ratings of the therapeutic alliance. The results of this study are presented in an effort to synthesize the data into a narrative for developing effective therapeutic relationships and guidance for future research. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection