Bowlby's notion that client secure attachment to the therapist leads to deeper client exploration, is considered an important corner stone of the therapeutic process. Psychotherapy researchers have neglected the study of therapist contributions and observer perspectives when studying this important therapeutic phenomenon. Studies of therapeutic secure base have shown that there is a relationship between client general attachment patterns and those with therapist, as well as that this secure attachment to therapist relates to deeper sessions. The main objectives of the present research was to extend the study of secure base in therapy to include consideration of therapist attachment processes and to improve the methodology used in attachment research by adding the expert observer perspective to operationalize session exploration. The first study explored the secure base hypothesis, the transference hypothesis and the role of therapist attachment in the process. Sixty-seven clients and therapists in-training, in short term therapy, completed the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale (ECRS), the Client Attachment to Therapist Scale (CATS), Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), and a measure of session depth; the Session Evaluation Questionnaire-Depth subscale. In line with Bowlby's (1988) secure base hypothesis, secure attachment to therapist was significantly associated with session depth. Therapist insecure adult attachment was negatively associated with client secure attachment to therapist. / The second study addressed methodological limitations found in previous studies by using both client and expert observer perspectives in the operationalization of session exploration. Thirty-one clients assessed depth in the middle sessions of their short-term therapies and rated their attachment to their therapists. Raters assessed experiencing in the same sessions using the Experiencing Scale. Secure attachment to therapist was positively and significantly associated with experiencing levels. However, the two perspectives on session exploration did not converge, suggesting that each taps a distinct aspect of session exploration and underlining the importance of rater perspective in the operationalization of this construct. Taken together, the results of these two studies offer a strong support for the secure base hypothesis. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2007. / Title from file title page. Gregory J. Jurkovic, committee chair; Leslie C. Jackson, Marolyn C. Wells, Roderick J. Watts, committee members. Electronic text (159 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed Jan. 28, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 141-149).

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- Auckland University of Technology, 2003. / Appendices A and E not included in e-thesis. Also held in print (138 leaves, 30 cm.) in Akoranga Theses Collection. (T 616.8914 GOU)

Thesis(M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (p.45-50).

Thesis--Wisconsin. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-41).

This piece of research aimed to explore counselling psychologists' experiences of identifying with their clients' concerns. The participants' experiences were examined within the context of the co-constructiveness of the therapeutic encounter. Seven counselling psychologists, with a training background in the existential tradition, were asked to elaborate on their experiences of identifying with their clients difficulties. The method chosen for this study was Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and the participants' experiences were were collected through the use of semi-structured interviews. Two sub-topics were explored in the context of the therapists' experience of 'identification'. These were the concept of 'bracketing' and the issue of 'self-disclosure'. Five superordinate themes emerged: a) the layers of identification, b) working with the therapeutic encounter, c) bracketing: like riding a bicycle, d) perspectives in self-disclosure, and e) health warning. These themes reflected experiences of different levels of identification; the impact of identification on the therapeutic encounter and the use of bracketing; the (mis)use of self-disclosure; and the effects of identification on personal wellbeing. The findings are critically discussed in the light of existing literature and implications for counselling psychology and psychotherapy practice are considered. The limitations of the study are also highlighted as well as suggestions for future research being presented.

Opportunities for South African occupational therapists to deliver appropriate work practice services to workers with disabilities in the open labour market, has increased within the context of current Disability Equity Legislation which promotes the rights, and therefore the employment of people with disabilities in the work place. The training of students at university plays a significant role in equipping them to competently deliver work practice services to workers with disabilities in the open labour market. The University of Pretoria’s Occupational Therapy Department has responded to the growing need for the training of occupational therapists in the area of work practice services, and for this reason implemented the Post-Graduate Diploma in Vocational Rehabilitation in 1997, the only post-graduate training course in this field in South Africa. However despite a long history of both under- and post-graduate training in the area of work practice, research into the identification of professional competencies required for this type of work has not been previously undertaken. The need for research to determine these professional competencies thus emerged. A Delphi Survey Technique was selected as research methodology with both qualitative and quantitative aspects. A panel of 35 occupational therapists representing various practice settings and meeting pre-determined criteria as being experts in this field, was selected to participate in this research. Three consecutive questionnaires were sent to the research participants requesting them to identify knowledge, skills and values considered to reflect professional competencies. Following a process of data analysis, 16 professional competencies were identified as being necessary to deliver work practice services to workers with disabilities in the open labour market. / Dissertation (MOccTher)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Occupational Therapy / MOccTher / Unrestricted

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