Comparison of therapeutic action, style and content in cognitive–behavioural and psychodynamic group therapy under clinically representative conditions

Abstract

It is still an open question whether psychotherapists adhere to their therapeutic conceptions in routine practice (clinician's treatment adherence) and thus to what extent the two most common approaches, cognitive-behavioural (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy (PDT), differ from each other as theoretically expected (treatment differentiation). This holds true especially in case of group therapy.The study compares essential process components of CBT and PDT group treatments under clinically representative conditions using non-participating observer ratings. Results demonstrate that CBT group therapists use more cognitive, behavioural and psychoeducational strategies, foster self-efficacy to a larger extent and are more supporting and empathetic. PDT group therapists use more interpretative and confrontative interventions and focus on interactional and dynamic aspects. The results strongly support that not only in individual psychotherapy-as shown in prior research-but also in the group setting do CBT and PDT reveal very distinct profiles and that therapists primarily abide by their theoretical training also in clinical practice. They allow one to identify differential process components of the group setting and to trace back parameters of outcome to the process of CBT and PDT for clinical routines.

Adherence to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: A systematic review

“…Internet-based CBTI incorporated weekly homework checks of adherence 27, 49, 60 . Combined self-reported adherence and sleep diary measures were used in four studies 28, 35, 43, 44 , thus providing a more complete assessment of adherence.…”

A multi-site single-blind clinical study to compare the effects of STAIR Narrative Therapy to treatment as usual among women with PTSD in public sector mental health settings: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…SNT sessions are coded for therapist adherence. TAU sessions are coded to characterize their elements and to assess for presence of specific interventions in SNT using an adapted version of an established coding procedure, the Hamburg Psychotherapy Process Scale (HaPPS-O) [35]. Coding of key therapeutic elements is completed for psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral and supportive therapy, mindfulness/meditation practices as well as the specific core elements of SNT.…”

Therapists' thoughts on therapy: Clinicians' perceptions of the therapy processes that distinguish schema, cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic approaches

“…CBT applies the principles of cognitive and behavioural interventions in the treatment of psychological distress (Foreman, 2011;Watzke, Rueddel, Koch, Rudolph, & Schulz, 2008). The short-term nature and symptom focused approach of CBT makes it a popular choice of therapy and it has been shown to be efficacious for a wide variety of psychological issues (Butler, Chapman, Forman, & Beck, 2006;Stiles, Barkham, Twigg, Mellor-Clark, & Cooper, 2006).…”

“…With the introduction of brief PDT the focus of treatment has shifted to a focus on relief from symptoms (Watzke et al, 2008).…”