Layne A. Prest

Spirituality and religion in training, practice and personal development

In the midst of a revitalized interest in spirituality and religion in Western societies, there has been reported a resurgence of activity regarding spirituality and religion in the mental health professions, including marriage and family therapy (MFT). Little is known, however, about the beliefs, behaviours, and training experiences of MET graduate students. Therefore it is important to examine the training (education and supervision) needs in this area. For this initial study, a sample of US MET graduate students were surveyed regarding their spiritual and religious attitudes and practices in their personal and professional lives. In most areas, graduate students were found to be similar to the previously published reports of practising professionals. In other areas, they report even more investment in spirituality and religion. The results of the survey suggest a need to include systematic attention to these areas in graduate training curricula and in the professional supervision process.

Solution-focused couples therapy groups: an empirical study

The professional literature contains numerous theoretical and case study articles regarding the development and use of solution-focused therapy. However, as with many models of systems-oriented therapy in use with couples, very little has been subjected to empirical investigation. This project was designed to make a contribution to the empirical literature regarding the effectiveness of solution-focused therapy in use with couples’ groups. This study utilized pre-test comparisons of treatment and comparison groups, and examined pre- to post-test changes in the scores of the treatment group couples. Twenty-three treatment group couples participated in a six-week solution-focused couples therapy (SFCT) group. A separate group of thirteen couples served as a comparison group. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) was used to assess changes in the couples’ relationships. Scores on the Marital Status Inventory (MSI), as a pre-test measure indicating the couples’ likelihood of divorce, indicated no significant differences between groups. The remaining analyses revealed significant improvement in DAS scores. Self-reports from the couples involved indicate improvement in a variety of areas after completing the six-week solution-focused couples group therapy process.

Family Systems Theory: A Unifying Framework for Codependence.

Abstract According to an increasing number of experts on addictions, untold millions of people in our society are codependent. Yet, the construct of codependence is variously defined, undermining its clinical and research utility. In addition, the relationship between the various symptoms (e.g., addictions), the dynamics of dysfunctional families, and codependence has not been fully developed. This paper offers a critical review and synthesis of the codependency literature, along with an intergenerational family systems framework for conceptualizing the relationship of the dysfunctional family to the construct of codependence. The paper presents a theoretical basis for systemic clinical work and research.

Providers' Perspectives on Troublesome Overusers of Medical Services

The purpose of this study was to better understand providers’ perspectives of and experiences with frequent users of medical services. Focus group interviews were conducted with physicians in San Diego, California, and Omaha, Nebraska. Indicators of problematic patient overuse of medical services were identified as well as the common physician experience of overuse that is troublesome and problematic. Qualitative data analysis revealed that physicians did not consider patient overuse, by itself, to be problematic. Overuse became problematic and troublesome when patient behavior violated the physician-patient relationship of trust. All participants described a distinct negative physiological reaction to these patients.