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- Existential psychotherapy: An international survey of the key authors and texts influencing practicePublication . Correia, Edgar Agrela; Cooper, Mick; Berdondini, LuciaExistential psychotherapy is one of the longestestablished forms of psychological intervention, but the scope and nature of the intervention remains unclear. To deepen an understanding of the nature of existential psychotherapy, an international survey was conducted of existential practitioners, asking them to identify the authors and texts that had most influenced their practice. Responses were received from practitioners in 48 different countries, with 1,085 identifying the authors that had most influenced their practice, and 853 identifying the most influential texts. The six authors identified as most influential were Frankl (16.6 %), Yalom (15.5 %), Spinelli (10.6 %), van Deurzen (10.0 %), La¨ngle (8.7 %), and May (5.9 %). The first four authors were also responsible for the six most influential texts: Man’s search for meaning (Frankl, 9.4 %), Existential psychotherapy (Yalom, 9.2 %), Practising existential psychotherapy (Spinelli, 3.5 %), The doctor and the soul (Frankl, 3.5 %), Everyday mysteries (van Deurzen, 3.4 %), and Existential Counselling & Psychotherapy in Practice (van Deurzen, 3.2 %). These findings help to develop a greater understanding of the theoretical and practical influences on existential psychotherapy today.
- The practices of existential psychotherapists: Development and application of an observational gridPublication . Correia, Edgar Agrela; Sartóris, Vítor; Fernandes, Tiago; Cooper, Mick; Berdondini, Lucia; Sousa, Daniel Cunha Monteiro de; Pires, Branca Sá; Fonseca, João daWithin the major therapeutic paradigms, observational instruments have been developed to assess orientation-specific interventions or processes. However, to date, no such instrument exists to assess existential practices. Recent research indicates the key practices of existential therapists, and forms an empirical basis on which to develop an observatory grid. This paper describes the development of such a grid, and its exploratory testing with eight clients of four Portuguese existential psychotherapists. A total of 32 sessions were observed and both speaking turn and whole-session analysis showed that it was feasible to assess existential therapy using the instrument, although psychometric findings recommend further refinement of the tool. Session-rating data suggest that the chief practices applied by existential therapists were relational, followed by the use of hermeneutic interventions and reformulations. Interventions based on phenomenological and existential assumptions were observable in practice but limited in frequency. Further refinements and developments of the observational grid, together with additional research – using a range of therapists from different schools of existential therapy – are recommended.
- Inside the consulting room of a highly effective therapist: An analysis of first sessionsPublication . Caçador, Sílvia; Sousa, Daniel; Cooper, MickAim: The aim of this study was to capture the most salient aspects of first-session activities by a therapist who consistently had good clinical outcomes.Method: Constructivist grounded theory was used to analyse the first three audio-recorded psychotherapy sessions with two clients.Results: The analysis generated 12 categories organised into three major domains: (a) promoting clients' sense of agency and the collaborative nature of the therapeutic process; (b) supporting clients' exploration of meaningful contents, balancing respon-sively between following clients and introducing new dimensions; and (c) creating a climate of emotional security based on empathic presence, authenticity and positive regard.Conclusions: The results show key aspects of the therapist's performance, such as distinguished clinical skills, responsiveness and strong relational abilities. The results support the literature on highly effective therapists. They also contribute to practice and psychotherapist training. Domains and categories from this study may be the basis for a checklist of some essential features to be included in psychotherapists' deliberated practice programmes.KEYWORDSexpertise, first sessions, grounded analysis, psychotherapeutic efficacy, psychotherapy