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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Within 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.
Description
Keywords
Existential therapy Existential-specific practices Observational study Exploratory study Treatment adherence
Citation
British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 46(2), 201-216 Doi: 10.1080/03069885.2016.1254723
Publisher
Routledge