1. A meta-analytic review of prolonged exposure for posttraumatic stress disorder
In this study, Powers et al. conducted a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of prolonged exposure (PE) for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The researchers defined PE using the criteria developed by Foa, Rothbaum, Riggs, & Murdock (1991), including imaginal and in vivo exposure. They analyzed 13 studies with a total of 658 patients. The results of their analysis showed that PE is an extremely effective treatment for PTSD as compared to the control group, though it is not significantly different as compared to other active treatments, such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive therapy (CT), and stress inoculation training (SIT).
2. Therapist competence in cognitive therapy for depression: Predicting subsequent symptom change
In this study, Strunk et al. examined whether therapists’ competence ratings predict patients’ outcomes, including change in their depressive symptoms. The participants were 60 moderately to severely depressed outpatients. Therapists’ competence was evaluated using the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale. The researchers found that competence ratings predicted session-to-session symptom change early in treatment. Competence ratings also significantly predicted evaluator-rated end-of-treatment symptom severity. However, competence ratings only predicted self-reported symptom severity at the level of a nonsignificant trend.
3. Meta-analysis of homework effects in cognitive and behavioral therapy: A replication and extension
In this meta-analysis, Kazantzis et al. used the results of 46 studies to examine homework’s effect on the outcome of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The researchers concluded that homework does increase the effectiveness of CBT.
4. The process of change in cognitive therapy for depression: Predictors of early inter-session symptom gains
In this study, Strunk et al., examined 60 patients with moderate to severe depression in order to evaluate patient and therapist contributions to effective cognitive therapy (CT). Therapist behaviors that predicted improvements included adhering to cognitive methods and negotiating session content. Patient behaviors that predicted improvements included facilitating instead of inhibiting the therapist’s adherence to the structure of the session.
To learn more about the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, click here: http://www.academyofct.org
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