Mark Widdowson

Perceptions of psychotherapy trainees of psychotherapy research

Aims: The research-practice gap and lack of engagement with research by trainees and qualified therapists is a widely discussed issue amongst psychotherapy researchers. The present study investigates the perceptions of psychotherapy trainees of psychotherapy research and explores what would encourage them to participate in research. Method: Two focus groups of 16 trainees in total were conducted at two separate psychotherapy training institutes to explore trainees’ attitudes and perceptions. Data was analysed using Braun and Clarkes (2006) thematic analysis. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged: negative perception of research; recognition of the importance of research; and what would be needed to facilitate engagement in research. Discussion: The results suggest that interest in and willingness to participate in research exists, however it is necessary for negative perceptions about research to be addressed and for researchers to design projects which are supportive of participants.

From Client Process to Therapeutic Relating: A Critique of the Process Model and Personality Adaptations

The authors offer a critique of the process model as articulated by Kahler (1975a, 1975b, 1978, 1979, 1996) and the theory of personality adaptations as articulated by Kahler with Capers (1974), Kahler (1982), Ware (1983), and Joines & Stewart (2002). Specifically, they take issue with Joines and Stewarts assertion that narcissism cannot be considered to be a personality adaptation and argue for a consistent conceptualization of personality that encompasses narcissistic and borderline adaptations.

Avoidance, vicious cycles, and experiential disconfirmation of script: Two new theoretical concepts and one mechanism of change in the Psychotherapy of depression and anxiety

This article presents an argument for the clinical and empirical relevance of case study material. Drawing on a series of systematic case studies based in Stiles’s (2007) model of theory building, the author proposes adding the concepts of avoidance and vicious cycles to standard transactional analysis and offers case material to illustrate the usefulness of doing so. Avoidance and vicious cycles are proposed as key mechanisms in the maintenance of the client’s problems, specifically depression and anxiety but also other presenting problems. The article also proposes experiential disconfirmation as an active change mechanism in transactional analysis therapy whereby the therapist actively challenges the client’s life script and promotes change at an experiential level. These concepts forge links between several transactional analysis concepts and provide a unifying framework for a range of TA therapy approaches.

Depression: A literature review on diagnosis, subtypes, patterns of recovery, and psychotherapeutic models

This article summarizes data on the prevalence and diagnosis of depression as well as findings from research regarding recovery and relapse from depression. It also offers a summary of models of understanding depression from a range of psychotherapies that are empirically supported for the treatment of depression. Links are made between these models and transactional analysis theory.

The importance of research in transactional analysis for transactional analysts

Abstract This article is the author’s acceptance speech for the 2017 ITAA Research Award, which was presented to him at the World TA Conference in Berlin in July 2017. The author argues that research is essential to the wider acceptance of transactional analysis and that research will support the expansion of TA and will act as a powerful marketing force for TA practitioners and training institutes. Therefore, it is in the interests of every member of the TA community to conduct research or actively support further TA research. The author summarizes his research into the effectiveness of TA and presents a brief synopsis of current TA psychotherapy effectiveness research. The article also includes a summary of the author’s research findings regarding the distinctive features of effective TA psychotherapy and effective TA therapists. He concludes by expressing his gratitude and thanks to a number of people who have supported him on his research journey.

Paradoxical Alliances in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy for Anxiety A Systematic Adjudicated Case Study

This article considers the use of the technique of paradoxical alliances in transactional analysis psychotherapy with a 37-year-old white French woman over two sets of sessions. The authors hypothesize that this technique, which has not yet been widely used in TA, can be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders and offers a useful addition to existing transactional analysis methods. The first set of sessions with the client occurred before the paradoxical alliances approach had been developed, and although therapy had some benefits, it did not result in lasting change for the client. In the second set of sessions, the paradoxical alliances technique was applied and resulted in a deep, lasting improvement in the client’s anxiety attacks.