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Purpose Case formulation has gained increasing prominence as a guide to intervention across a range of clinical problems. It offers a contrasting orientation to diagnosis and its value is considered in the context of clinical work with... more
Purpose Case formulation has gained increasing prominence as a guide to intervention across a range of clinical problems. It offers a contrasting orientation to diagnosis and its value is considered in the context of clinical work with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). The purpose of this paper is to argue that case formulation integrating attachment, systemic and narrative perspectives offers a valuable way forward in assisting people with the diagnosis and their families. Design/methodology/approach The literature on ASD and related conditions is reviewed to examine levels of co-morbidity, consider the role of parental mental health difficulties and explore the issues inherent with current approaches to diagnosis. Findings ASD is found to have a high level of co-morbidity with other difficulties, such as anxiety and insecure attachment. Research findings, alongside the authors own clinical experience, are developed to suggest that formulation can allow the possibility of early in...
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When a child has a life-limiting illness, parental involvement is amplified, having to respond to the increased needs of the child. Both parents are affected by the illness, yet research has largely under-represented fathers’ experiences... more
When a child has a life-limiting illness, parental involvement is amplified, having to respond to the increased needs of the child. Both parents are affected by the illness, yet research has largely under-represented fathers’ experiences of their child’s illness. Seven fathers were interviewed about their experiences with their child’s life-limiting illness. In addition, fathers’ attachment strategies were assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview. Narrative analysis was implemented to explore the interviews, and indicators of attachment markers employed in the Adult Attachment Interview were also identified. The dominant themes were found to be ‘experience of the diagnosis’, ‘living with the illness’, ‘struggling with emotions’ and ‘relationship with staff’. Within each theme, there were differences which related to the father’s attachment strategies. This was particularly evident in parts of their narratives recounting critical moments of threat and anxiety in the course of di...
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Preface Introduction: Research in psychotherapy and counselling Getting started: Generating and refining research questions Sampling and generalizability Choosing a qualitative method Questions of evaluation and outcome Psychotherapy... more
Preface Introduction: Research in psychotherapy and counselling Getting started: Generating and refining research questions Sampling and generalizability Choosing a qualitative method Questions of evaluation and outcome Psychotherapy process research: Exploring what happens in psychotherapy Single case and case study approaches Observing and participating Interview methodology Approaches to validity Final reflections References Index
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L. Johnstone and R. Dallos, Introduction to Formulation. R. Dudley and W. Kuyken, Formulation in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. R. Leiper, Psychodynamic formulation: A prince... more
L. Johnstone and R. Dallos, Introduction to Formulation. R. Dudley and W. Kuyken, Formulation in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. R. Leiper, Psychodynamic formulation: A prince betrayed and disinherited. R. Dallos and J. Stedmon, Systemic Formulation: Mapping the family dance. D. Harper and D. Spellman, Social constructionist formulation: Telling a different story. J. Miller and L. McClelland, Social inequalities formulation: mad, bad and dangerous to know. R. Dallos, J. Wright, J. Stedmon, and L. Johnstone, Integrative Formulation. R. Dallos, Integrative Formulation: CAT and ANT. L. Johnstone, Controversies and Debates about Formulation.
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The article examines the experience of parenting a child with a diagnosis of autism with a focus on scripts and intentions in relation to the parents’ own childhood experiences of being parented. Five parents participated in a multiple... more
The article examines the experience of parenting a child with a diagnosis of autism with a focus on scripts and intentions in relation to the parents’ own childhood experiences of being parented. Five parents participated in a multiple case study design involving in-depth interviews, Adult Attachment Interviews and a parenting intentions scaling task. The findings revealed that all of the parents had experienced significant adverse events in their own childhoods, including trauma and losses. They also expressed intentions to offer parenting that was ‘corrective’ in terms of providing a better emotional environment for their children. Their corrective attempts and also intentions to repeat positive aspects of being parented were moderated by unconscious aspects of their early childhood experiences and also by the autistic features of their children. The interplay between early embodied experiences, theories of autism, parenting experiences and intentions is discussed along with clini...
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We suggest that pathology exemplifies a form of conscious or unconscious ‘choice’. Each individual's potential choices of action are delineated by a network of shared options representing the family construct system. Over several... more
We suggest that pathology exemplifies a form of conscious or unconscious ‘choice’. Each individual's potential choices of action are delineated by a network of shared options representing the family construct system. Over several generations a tradition of permissible options are transmitted with a reshuffling and some change at each generation. Thus both ordinary and problematic actions are based on a limited set of options. This view integrates the systemic emphasis on circular processes associated with problems, with an explanation of the content or types of pathology that is presented. In a given family the type of pathology shown is seen to be a result of a choice at a particular time from a permitted set of options. Some implications of such a view for the process of therapy with families are discussed.
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A constructional model of family functioning is offered that draws upon systems theory, personal construct theory, and theories of the social construction of “mental illness.” Research and clinical work with families presenting serious... more
A constructional model of family functioning is offered that draws upon systems theory, personal construct theory, and theories of the social construction of “mental illness.” Research and clinical work with families presenting serious “psychotic” disorders is described and details of a case are outlined to illustrate the approach. It is suggested that families develop patterns of shared beliefs, “family constructs,” which are inter-dependent patterns of contrasting choices—bipolar constructs. These “family constructs” are a combination of societally shared and family beliefs and serve to set out, like a deck of cards, what the family members perceive to be their choices or permissible options. This is illustrated by exploring “psychosis” as in part a dilemma of a choice between existence vs. non-existence. A case study is presented of a family who discuss their existential predicaments by analogy with Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Some general implications of the model for families’ abilities to create choi...
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Psychological perspectives on relationships power bases and the social position of women interpersonal strategies of influence the role of ideological power in relationships discourses on sexuality clinical case studies - sexual and... more
Psychological perspectives on relationships power bases and the social position of women interpersonal strategies of influence the role of ideological power in relationships discourses on sexuality clinical case studies - sexual and relationship problems implications for therapy with couples.
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Las ideas de Bowlby (1969/1982) sobre el apego como un sistema interactivo nos proporcionan la base para entender el desarrollo de los modelos de funcionamiento adaptativos y desadaptativos del yo y el otro. Más concretamente, la teoría... more
Las ideas de Bowlby (1969/1982) sobre el apego como un sistema interactivo nos proporcionan la base para entender el desarrollo de los modelos de funcionamiento adaptativos y desadaptativos del yo y el otro. Más concretamente, la teoría del apego puede ofrecernos una comprensión detallada del desarrollo de un autoesquema depresógeno. La teoría del apego se sitúa junto a la investigación sobre la depresión adolescente, para ilustrar la importancia de la relación de apego primaria a la hora de proteger a los adolescentes en nuestra sociedad contra el desarrollo de sintomatología depresiva. Así, se considera la investigación actual sobre la depresión adolescente a través de la lente de la teoría del apego. Dicha visión se complementa con una exploración sobre el papel de la cultura en la producción de las diferencias de género en la depresión. Así, se ofrece un modelo tripartito de la depresión adolescente, que incluye el individuo, las relaciones familiares y los factores sociocultura...
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IntroductionIncidence of autistic traits, mental health problems, stress and poor coping is high among family members of children with autism. These problems are coupled with challenging behaviour among children with autism. Current... more
IntroductionIncidence of autistic traits, mental health problems, stress and poor coping is high among family members of children with autism. These problems are coupled with challenging behaviour among children with autism. Current treatment for these families is disjointed and costly. The need for whole family support is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendations, developments regarding children’s service provision, research and requests by families of children with autism. Despite evidence that family therapies can provide benefits to these families, efficacy has not been subject to a randomised controlled trial. Systemic Autism-related Family Enabling (SAFE) is a new family therapy intervention designed specifically for families of children with autism. We aim to establish the feasibility of running a fully powered randomised controlled trial to evaluate SAFE.Methods and analysisFamilies of children with autism aged 3–16 years will be invi...
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The gender roles and identity of siblings have been found to be an important factor in the nature and quality of sibling relationships. With an increasing number of young people identifying as gender-diverse or transgender, this research... more
The gender roles and identity of siblings have been found to be an important factor in the nature and quality of sibling relationships. With an increasing number of young people identifying as gender-diverse or transgender, this research aimed to develop a greater understanding of how young people make sense of their siblings’ gender diversity. Semi-structured interviews explored the experiences of eight sibling participants (aged 11–25 years) who have a sibling identifying as gender-diverse. Five overarching themes emerged from the thematic analysis of their transcribed interviews. These themes encapsulated commonalities and nuances within the sibling participants’ experiences and revealed a process of adjustment. Developing an increased understanding of transgender issues appeared to enable young people to embrace supportive roles, and as a consequence, they reported that their relationships with their gender-diverse siblings were enhanced. However, the sibling participants’ incre...
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Families waiting for an Autism Spectrum Condition assessment often experience difficulties explaining, or making sense of, the referred young person's behaviour. Little is known about this sense making, or how clinicians might support... more
Families waiting for an Autism Spectrum Condition assessment often experience difficulties explaining, or making sense of, the referred young person's behaviour. Little is known about this sense making, or how clinicians might support this ambiguity. This paper explored finite details of how five families do 'sense-making' in conversations with each other, while on the waiting list for an ASC assessment. A Discursive Psychology analysis of these conversations found that sense making was affected by (1) an interactional pattern of interruptions impeding the progress of sense making narratives; (2) face saving to maintain positive identities and shared understanding; and (3) difficulties in word finding within sense making narratives. These practices challenged the production of a coherent family sense making narrative.
Research Interests: Communication, Education, Family, Social Support, Adolescent, and 15 moreNarration, Humans, Child, Comprehension, Female, Male, Defense Mechanisms, Interpersonal Relations, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Waiting lists, Adult, Cross Sectional Studies, Child behavior disorders, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, and Referral and consultation
Recent years have shown a welcome trend in the number of people surviving cancer. The impact of cancer survival has focused primarily on the patient perspective, and limited research has explored the effect of parental cancer on children.... more
Recent years have shown a welcome trend in the number of people surviving cancer. The impact of cancer survival has focused primarily on the patient perspective, and limited research has explored the effect of parental cancer on children. No research to date can be found which explores children's experiences of parental cancer from a narrative perspective yet the way in which people tell their story is associated with emotional wellbeing. Measures of attachment, resilience and trauma were completed by 10 children (six girls, four boys aged 10-18 years) all of whom have a mother with non-terminal cancer. Each child also completed a narrative interview where they spontaneously described their experiences. Interviews were analysed drawing on narrative and thematic approaches to ensure the structural and performative as well as content of the stories could be understood. Experiences were interpreted within the context of attachment, resilience and trauma. Clinically high levels of t...
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This article reports on a multi-methods longitudinal evaluation of the PROMISE mentoring scheme which was developed in Somerset UK to offer a continuing relationship for vulnerable young people with a volunteer mentor. The overall... more
This article reports on a multi-methods longitudinal evaluation of the PROMISE mentoring scheme which was developed in Somerset UK to offer a continuing relationship for vulnerable young people with a volunteer mentor. The overall findings indicate that mentoring was experienced very positively and contributed to both fostering a sense of trust and to reducing the insecure attachments of the young people. The findings are considered within a relational and attachment framework to offer a model of how mentoring achieves positive change. Implications for development of the service and encouragement for others to develop similar services are discussed.
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When a child has a life-limiting illness, parental involvement is amplified, having to respond to the increased needs of the child. Both parents are affected by the illness, yet research has largely under-represented fathers'... more
When a child has a life-limiting illness, parental involvement is amplified, having to respond to the increased needs of the child. Both parents are affected by the illness, yet research has largely under-represented fathers' experiences of their child's illness. Seven fathers were interviewed about their experiences with their child's life-limiting illness. In addition, fathers' attachment strategies were assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview. Narrative analysis was implemented to explore the interviews, and indicators of attachment markers employed in the Adult Attachment Interview were also identified. The dominant themes were found to be 'experience of the diagnosis', 'living with the illness', 'struggling with emotions' and 'relationship with staff'. Within each theme, there were differences which related to the father's attachment strategies. This was particularly evident in parts of their narratives recounting critic...
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This article explores the feasibility of running "PremieStart," a nine-individual-session maternal-premature infant interaction program, within a neonatal unit (NNU) in England. Four mothers of premature infants... more
This article explores the feasibility of running "PremieStart," a nine-individual-session maternal-premature infant interaction program, within a neonatal unit (NNU) in England. Four mothers of premature infants completed seven sessions on the NNU and two at home. Mothers and NNU staff provided feedback on PremieStart. Measures of maternal-infant relationship, maternal well-being, and maternal reflective functioning were completed before and after intervention. Thematic analysis of mothers' feedback highlighted the emotional, but cathartic, experience of engaging with PremieStart. NNU staff feedback indicated the need to include them more in PremieStart. Both mothers and staff were supportive of future implementation of PremieStart and highlighted the ongoing need for psychological support on the NNU. PremieStart was implemented with positive feedback from mothers and staff, with support shown for the continued use of PremieStart in the NNU. However, for future implementation, the self-report outcome measures need reviewing, and more involvement of fathers and NNU staff is needed. In addition, a larger sample with a control group should be utilized.
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The research explored the experience and understandings expressed by parents of children with autism concerning ‘meltdowns’, which are commonly described as distressing, escalating episodes of conflicts. Semi-structured interviews were... more
The research explored the experience and understandings expressed by parents of children with autism concerning ‘meltdowns’, which are commonly described as distressing, escalating episodes of conflicts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six parents of children with a diagnosis of autism regarding their experience of ‘meltdowns’. Parents were asked to track the process of the meltdowns as well as to describe their experiences. Three over-arching themes emerged which encapsulated their experience: Living in Dread: Anxiety and fear of escalating patterns, Attempting to Correct for Negative Childhood Experiences and Condemnation from the Self and Others. The findings suggested that the meltdowns were perceived as having an escalating and predictable process, that parents anticipated meltdowns with anxiety, experienced feelings of helplessness and felt condemned by others. Importantly, it also appeared that parents’ responses were influenced by their own childhood experienc...
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Research Interests: Discourse Analysis, Social Interaction, Qualitative Research, Adolescent, Multidisciplinary, and 13 moreAnorexia Nervosa, Humans, Female, Male, Qualitative Study, Social Environment, Qualitative Analysis, Parents, Family Health, Eating Disorder, Parent‐child Relations, Family Conflict, and Object Attachment
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ABSTRACT
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ABSTRACT Grounded theory techniques and Repertory Grids were used in a qualitative study to generate and analyse material from 20 Catholics each interviewed twice. Religious practices increased the amount of intrapersonal ‘space’... more
ABSTRACT Grounded theory techniques and Repertory Grids were used in a qualitative study to generate and analyse material from 20 Catholics each interviewed twice. Religious practices increased the amount of intrapersonal ‘space’ available by acting physiologically, cognitively and affectively to reduce the intensity of anger experienced and to support couples in taking responsibility for their own part in a conflict. Couples could also regulate the interpersonal space between them by detouring their anger to God, and by finding support for both the avoidance and confrontation of conflict through religious beliefs. The relationship with God had an interactive and compensatory role in relation to the marital relationship. Changes in religious beliefs or marital relationship dynamics were not always neatly integrated and ambivalence over anger and conflict sometimes resulted and manifested in discordance between the spousal and God relationships. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Psicología Psiquiatría Psicoterapia Últimos títulos publicados 186. SF Rief - Cómo tratar y enseñar al niño con problemas de atención e hiperactividad 187. ET Gendlin - El focusing en psicoterapia 188. LS Greenberg y SC Paivio - Trabajar... more
Psicología Psiquiatría Psicoterapia Últimos títulos publicados 186. SF Rief - Cómo tratar y enseñar al niño con problemas de atención e hiperactividad 187. ET Gendlin - El focusing en psicoterapia 188. LS Greenberg y SC Paivio - Trabajar con las emociones en psicoterapia 189. EH ...
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... DOI: 10.1080/14780887.2012.630827 Olga Dos Santos a ... principally because one connotation of race is as a social category, imparted to certain patterns of “visible difference” between populations with a degree of shared ancestry and... more
... DOI: 10.1080/14780887.2012.630827 Olga Dos Santos a ... principally because one connotation of race is as a social category, imparted to certain patterns of “visible difference” between populations with a degree of shared ancestry and history (eg, see Condit, Parrott & Harris ...