The interpersonal interior of psychotherapy

Journal/Book: Psychother Res. 1998; 8: 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012. Guilford Publications Inc. 1-16.

Abstract: Narratives about interactions with other people constitute a significant part of patient talk during psychotherapy sessions. This article reviews our research on interpersonal narratives as a basic unit of analysis in psychotherapy research. Studies on the reliability of locating such narratives are reviewed, followed by a presentation of studies on the frequency and determinants of narratives. Narratives can also be used to examine the patient-therapist relationship, and a series of studies has suggested that while there is some degree of similarity of themes between outside of therapy relationships and the relationship with the therapist, not all patients evidence this ''transference'' effect. Therapists' ability to formulate and accurately interpret the relationship themes that are apparent in narratives has been found to be associated with outcome, retention, and the development of the therapeutic alliance over the course of treatment. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.

Note: Article CritsChristoph P, Univ Penn, Dept Psychiat, Room 700, 3600 Market St, Philadelphia,PA 19104 USA

Keyword(s): DYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY; TRANSFERENCE INTERPRETATIONS; STRUCTURAL-ANALYSIS; TERM PSYCHOTHERAPY; SOCIAL-BEHAVIOR; DEPRESSION; THEMES

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