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The family therapist's use of self: A Delphi study

The present study surveyed a panel of 29 family therapy experts and AAMFT-approved supervisors knowledgeable of the therapist system and the family therapist's use of self. The goal of the study was to derive a consensual definition of the term use of self, to a level consistent with theory building, for the purpose of contributing to therapeutic alliance theory. The preferred term for the concept, Therapeutic Use of Self, was selected by 65% of the panelists. / The methodology utilized three qualitative approaches. First, the Delphi technique was chosen to explore group opinion and decision formation. Second, computer-aided content analysis provided methodological rigor. Last, interviews complemented the Delphi process. / Panelists' assertions were rated on a 7 point scale. Medians were utilized as parameters to determine inclusion/exclusion in the final definition of use of self. Fifty-one percent of panelists' 328 assertions met the criteria for inclusion. Eighty-eight percent of the investigator's composite statements also met the criteria for inclusion. Further, the composites were broken into constituent elements and rated, with 69% of the elements meeting the criteria for inclusion in the final profile. Only 4% of panelists' assertions met the definition of greatest disagreement or division. None of the constituent elements met the criteria of greatest division or disagreement. / With regard to theory building, the essential elements of a real definition of therapeutic use of self were delineated. Parameters were established for a sensitizing concept and groundwork was laid to operationalize the term. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-07, Section: B, page: 3797. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1992.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76710
ContributorsTester, Sarah A., Florida State University
Source SetsFlorida State University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText
Format299 p.
RightsOn campus use only.
RelationDissertation Abstracts International

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