Reviews research on six theoretical propositions central to psychodynamic psychotherapy: (1) establish an alliance; (2) patient displays central relationship theme (transference); (3) transference interpretations are helpful; (4) therapist interprets transference; (5) patient gains self-understanding; and (6) patient's improvement is reflected in…

Empirical studies based on psychoanalytic model have concentrated on study of therapeutic process and diagnostic groups such as borderline personality disorder (BPD). Work in BPD provides paradigm for future approaches in study of second-order inferences removed from immediate observational field. Concept of structure may be clarified by empirical…

Reviewed 252 empirical studies of psychotherapy from "Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology" in 1967/1968, 1977/1978, and 1987/1988. Found main trend to be decline in theory-guided and rise in pragmatic, clinically oriented research. Discusses disadvantages of purely empirical approach to psychotherapy research and makes…

Considers three areas with special relevance to liability and child therapy: informed consent, confidentiality, and child-abuse reporting laws. In each area, issues that may be confronted in therapy or research on therapy are discussed, and sampling of relevant laws is explored. Considers suggestions for avoiding potential liability and protecting…

Examines interplay between theory, research, and application in treatment of clinical problems in context of psychotherapy research program for Hispanic behavior problem youth and families. Discusses findings in structural family therapy, measurement of family and child psychodynamic functioning, development of culturally appropriate…

Previous surveys revealed gaps between psychotherapy training, research, and practice. Conducted selective review of research on child therapy and therapy training to address questions concerning who, what, how, and when to train child therapists. Found substantial, as well as some promising leads, gaps in current empirical knowledge about child…

Reviews evidence and theory on issues related to cultural diversity of child clients in therapy: predictive utility and treatment consequences of ethnic membership, whether treatments should be generic or culture specific, degree of privilege that should be accorded to same-culture therapists, and relative desirability of different modalities of…

Used Thematic Apperception Test to assess complexity of representations of people, affect-tone of relationship paradigms, capacity for emotional investment in relationships and moral standards, and understanding of social causality. Findings from 71 second graders and fifth graders (Study 1) and from 49 ninth graders and twelfth graders (Study 2)…