Differences in values between short-term and long-term therapists.

Abstract

We empirically examined Budman and Gurman's theoretical proposals concerning major differences in the value systems of long-vs. short-term therapists. Ss were 222 randomly selected licensed psychologists who indicated their preferred approach (short-term or long-term). Values were assessed with a scale designed for the study. Overall, results indicate that therapists who prefer a short-term approach are more likely to endorse the proposed values of the short-term therapist than are therapists who prefer a long-term approach. This finding held even after the authors controlled for the significant contributions of theoretical orientation and therapeutic practice variables. Specifically, short-term (vs. long-term) therapists believed more that psychological change could occur outside of therapy and that setting time limits would intensify the therapeutic work. Implications for the practice of brief therapy are discussed.As a result of complex social and economic issues currently facing the field of psychotherapy (e.g., limited mental health resources, emphasis on accountability, third-party payers), there is an increasing demand for therapists to use briefer therapeutic approaches. There have been significant advancements KAY BOLTER received her PhD in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley, in 1987. This article is based on her doctoral dissertation, which she completed while training at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center in the Brief Psychotherapy Program under the direction of Hanna Levenson. She is currently Director of Training at the Tenderloin Community Mental Health Clinic in San Francisco, and she is also in private practice. HANNA LEVENSON, PhD, is Director of the Brief Psychotherapy Programs at the VA Medical Centers in Palo Alto and San Francisco. In addition, she teaches and supervises brief psychotherapy in the Departments of Psychiatry at Stanford University and the University of California, San Francisco, where she is an Associate Clinical Professor. She also conducts workshops and training for professionals through her private practice.

Time-limited dynamic psychotherapy: An integrationist perspective.

“…In another training study, Levenson and Bolter (1988) examined the values and attitudes of psychiatry residents and psychology interns before and after a 6-month seminar and group supervision in TLDP. They found that after training there were significant changes in the students' attitudes (e.g., willingness to be more active) as measured by a questionnaire designed to highlight value differences between short-term and long-term therapists (Bolter, Levenson, & Alvarez, 1990). Other research has supported these findings (Neff, Lambert, Lunnen, Budman, & Levenson, 1997).…”

Increasing tolerance and respect of clients through the use of solution-focused counselling

“…The existence of these hypothesized, fundamental value differences between long and short-term counsellors was confirmed by Bolter et al (1990). In their research counsellors who stated they preferred a brief approach consistently endorsed the short-term counsellor values.…”

Brief and Intermittent Approaches to Practice: The State of Practice

“…Practitioner interest in brief therapeutic approaches has greatly increased and will most probably continue to increase over the years (Bolter, Levenson, & Alverez, 1990). A planned short-term therapy format for intervention appears to be both a viable and essential practice modality because health maintenance organizations and employee assistance programs generally favor highly structured brief forms of therapy (Wells, 1994).…”