No abstract

This article describes the different traditions within the psychotherapy integration movement. It begins by providing a constructivist view of the factors that influenced the movement's development. It distinguishes among pragmatic, theoretically guided, and systematic technical eclecticisms. Also, it differentiates between hybrid and extended models of theoretical integration. Finally, the article covers the common factors perspective. For each of these types of psychotherapy integration, a series of constructivist contributions is presented. Further, constructivism has generated a new modality of psychotherapy integration known as theoretically progressive integration, based on the combination of approaches that are epistemologically compatible.The historical development of psychotherapy can be described as a sequence of proposals of theoretical approaches that entail differing constructions of human problems and of how to address them psychologically (Feixas & Miro ´, 1993). Attending to the content of most of these competing discourses, one could end up believing that each one is unique, markedly different, and supposedly better. In fact, each one has developed its own terminology, rendering dialogue among them confusing, if not impossible. The problem transcends the terminological question, as different epistemologies and world views are also a potential barrier to dialogue among different psychotherapeutic approaches.

Work stress is a major contributor to absenteeism and reduced work productivity. A randomised and controlled study in employee-volunteers (with Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-14]>22) was performed to assess a mindfulness program based on brief integrated mindfulness practices (M-PBI) with the aim of reducing stress in the workplace. The PSS-14 of the employees before and after 8-weeks M-PBI program, as well as after a 20-week follow-up, was assessed (primary endpoint). The employees also carried the following questionnaires (secondary endpoints): Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Experiences Questionnaire-Decentering (EQ-D), and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was measured during each session in a subgroup of employees (n = 10) of the interventional group randomly selected. A total of 40 employees (77.5% female median [SD] age of 36.6 [5.6] years) took part in this study: 21 and 19 in the intervention and control group, respectively. No differences in baseline characteristics were encountered between the groups. Results show a significant decrease in stress and increase in mindfulness over time in the intervention group (PSS-14 and FFMQ; p < 0.05 both). Additionally, an improvement in decentering (EQ-D), self-compassion (SCS) and burnout (MBI-GS) were also observed compared to the control group (p < 0.05 in all). HRV measurement also showed an improvement. In conclusion, a brief practices, 8-weeks M-BIP program is an effective tool to quickly reduce stress and improve well-being in a workplace.

This article reports an analysis of conjoint therapy for psychological intimate partner violence, treated via a dialogical approach. The article reviews current controversies surrounding this treatment modality and its outcome. The dialogical approach is presented as an appropriate method for analyzing and understanding the issue of violence, but it is emphasized that the focus on communication does not involve a return to a systemic perspective on intimate partner violence. Four important dimensions are identified as emerging in conjoint treatment for psychological intimate partner violence, namely responsibility, safety, trust, and the role of the therapists. The Dialogical Investigations of Happenings of Change method was used to analyze the transcripts of the therapy sessions. The results on these four dimensions, as identified via a dialogical method, are illustrated with transcript vignettes. Finally, there is discussion of the contribution that the dialogical approach 275 276 B. Vall et al. can make in conjoint therapy for psychological intimate partner violence, with mention also of the implications for research and for clinical practice.

No abstract