A micro-analysis of the assimilation process in the linguistic therapy of evaluation

Abstract

This paper reports a qualitative micro-analysis of the assimilation process in 18 events drawn from six patients treated in the linguistic therapy of evaluation. Each event began with a problematic situation introduced by the patient and ended with a marker showing either non-resolution or resolution of the problematic situation. These events all represented a common therapeutic task: The orders of abstraction technique, one of the main techniques of the linguistic therapy of evaluation.The non-resolved and resolved events tended to represent different levels on the Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Scale (APES). The non-resolved events tended to be associated with low APES levels, whereas the resolved events tended to include higher APES levels. The process of assimilation showed a sawtoothed pattern characteristic of directive therapies. To illustrate the process of assimilation, qualitative data-passages, excerpted from one patient, Silvia-are shown. The results are discussed in terms of the assimilation model and the balance metaphor.

Extending the Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Scale: Commentary on the special issue

“…This account is hypothetical and requires more research, but it is consistent with assimilation theory, with the therapeutic approaches we have studied (LTE, cognitivebehavioural, client-centred), and with the observations of ), Caro (2005, and others (e.g., Glick et al, submitted).…”

“…The APES is numeric and can be used as an independently applied rating scale, as illustrated in the report by Caro (2005). However, in some studies, there are no independent ratings, and the APES is used as a way to be precise about the investigators' understanding.…”

“…Other variations have not been given separate names (e.g., Glick, Salvi, Stiles, & Greenberg, in press;Honos-Webb, Stiles, Greenberg, & Goldman, 1998;Honos-Webb, Surko, Stiles, & Greenberg, 1999;Knobloch, Endres, Stiles, & Silberschatz, 2001;Laitila & Aaltonen, 1998;Stiles & Angus, 2001;Stiles et al, 1991Stiles et al, , 1992bStiles et al, , 1997Stiles, Osatuke, Glick, & Mackay, 2004;Williams, Stiles, & Shapiro, 1999). The studies in this special issue (Caro, 2005;Henry, Stiles & Biran, 2005;Humphreys, Rubin, Knudson, & Stiles, 2005; have not renamed the APES, but they have modified our understanding of it and extended its application in ways that deserve comment.…”

Problematic Internal Voices in Clients with Borderline Features: An Elaboration of The Assimilation Model

“…We understand assimilation of problematic voices into the community as the central task of any psychotherapy. Although therapy orientations differ in strategies and techniques of facilitating this goal, assimilation processes themselves are proposed to apply cross-theoretically, and have been studied in various therapy models and client populations (e.g., Caro Gabalda, 2005;Field, Barkham, Shapiro, & Stiles, 1994;Heaton, Hill, Hess, Leotta, & Hoffman, 1998;Henry, Stiles, & Biran, 2005; Honos-Webb, Stiles, . Affect may be mixed, with some unpleasant recognition but also some pleasant surprise.…”

Patterns of psychotherapy development: A mixed-method analysis using assimilation indices

“…The model has also been supported by a number of studies that quantitatively related assimilation to process and outcome measures of psychotherapy (e.g. Detert, Llewelyn, Hardy, Gabalda, 2005;Rudkin, Llewelyn, Hardy, Stiles, & Barkham, 2007).…”