Quantitative naturalistic methods for detecting change points in psychotherapy research: an illustration with alliance ruptures.
Analysis of change points in psychotherapy process could increase our understanding of mechanisms of change. In particular, naturalistic change point detection methods that identify turning points or breakpoints in time series data could enhance our ability to identify and study alliance ruptures and resolutions. This paper presents four categories of statistical methods for detecting change points in psychotherapy process: criterion-based methods, control chart methods, partitioning methods, and regression methods. Each method's utility for identifying shifts in the alliance is illustrated using a case example from the Beth Israel Psychotherapy Research program. Advantages and disadvantages of the various methods are discussed.
Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. catherine.eubanks@einstein.yu.edu
Catherine
C
Eubanks-Carter
Bernard S
BS
Gorman
J Christopher
JC
Muran
D006801:Humans; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome