Process and technique factors associated with patient ratings of session safety during psychodynamic psychotherapy.
This study investigates the relationships between patient ratings of in-session safety with psychotherapeutic techniques and process. Ninety-four participants received Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (STDP) at a university-based clinic. Patient experiences of therapeutic process were self-assessed early in treatment using the Session Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ Stiles, 1980). Techniques implemented in session were identified using the Comparative Psychotherapy Process Scale (CPPS: Hilsenroth et al., 2005). Alliance was evaluated with the Combined Alliance Short Form-Patient Version (CASF-P; Hatcher and Barends, 1996). Safety significantly correlated with session depth, smoothness, and positivity. Safety was significantly related to the interaction of psychodynamic-interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral techniques, but to neither individual subscale Safety significantly correlated with CASF-P Total, Confident Collaboration, and Bond. Patient experiences of safety are consistent with exploration and depth of session content. Integration of some CB techniques within a psychodynamic model may facilitate a sense of safety. Safety is notably intertwined with the therapeutic relationship.
Hy Weinberg Building, 158 Cambridge Avenue, The Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY 11530, USA. deborahsiegel@mail.adelphi.edu
Deborah F
DF
Siegel
Mark J
MJ
Hilsenroth
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods; D064889:Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome