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Background: Patient-targeted Googling (PTG) is an unavoidable aspect of the internet era, offering both opportunities and risks. However, no PTG studies have been conducted in Asian contexts to date. Additionally, existing research has provided limited exploration of factors influencing PTG practices, particularly regarding the professional differences between psychiatrists and psychologists. This study seeks to address these research gaps. Method: A total of 943 licensed psychiatrists and psychologists working in China completed an online survey. The survey included their attitudes towards PTG (including general attitude, application situations, reasons for/against PTG) and their actual practice of PTG. Results: 250(26.5%) respondents reported using PTG. Among them, 151(60.4%) respondents sought consent from clients before use, and 142(56.8%) respondents discussed search results with clients after use. Chinese psychiatrists and psychologists have contradictory attitudes, with concerns but also recognition of its possible positive effects, and expressing a need for more guidance. Compared to psychiatrists or those working in public institutions, psychologists and those working in private institutions report greater concerns about PTG but engage in it more frequently. Conclusions: Although the sample is limited, the study reveals notable differences in attitudes and practice of PTG among Chinese psychiatrists and psychologists, which may be related to their distinct professional roles and workplace environments. These findings suggest the need for further research to better understand the underlying factors contributing to these differences. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of developing tailored ethical guidelines and targeted training programs to address PTG practices for psychiatrists and psychologists in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term «therapeutic alliance» is an umbrella term that has been used to put together many different concepts and therefore cannot be taken as a valid scientific construct. A clear evolutionary path is missing in its century of history and, instead, we witness a fluctuation in different polarities (antinomies): (a) suggestion/indoctrination/persuasion, against the dogma of neutrality; (b) the distance and power gap between patient and therapist; (c) the degree of proactivity/passiveness required of the patient; (d) oscillations between a polarity ruled by the rational mind and the one ruled by the heart with its passions, emotions, experiences and conflicts; (e) the oscillations between exploration and change. The study of interpersonal relationships is rooted in a philosophical, and more broadly, a humanistic tradition, which has a millenary bibliography at the very least. The way we deal with interpersonal relations, and therapeutic ones, has been influenced by our implicit theory of the nature of man. Regarding teaching and training, the relationship is to be considered a craft or even an art form. Artisans and artists learn their job by doing practical training in a workshop, alongside a good teacher. We therefore suggest switching the research focus towards individuals and more narrow constructs as, for example, adherence, empathy, therapeutic contract, case formulation and working alliance. To conclude, we suggest bidding farewell to the term «therapeutic relationship», because it is far too generic to be used today with good outcomes in research and teaching and also for the formulation of sound theories both in scientific and clinical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of neuroscience and psychotherapy research has long been a topic of interest in the field of mental health. A significant challenge in psychotherapy research is understanding the dyadic interaction between patient and therapist. This interaction is complex, emerging from a myriad of multi-level factors such as gestures, verbal communication, mentalization, and environmental influences. This article aims to present a roadmap for the future integration of neuroscience and psychotherapy research, addressing the complexities of human interaction. We introduce the 4E/MoBI approach, a framework that combines theoretical and methodological tools to study the dynamics of the brain, body, and environment in real-world settings. This approach emphasizes the use of physiological systems (e.g., heart and brain), behavioral interactions (e.g., conversations and eye-tracking), and environmental video recordings. Additionally, the scalable experimental design (SED) heuristic is discussed as a method to blend controlled experiments with real-world scenarios, allowing for the parametric testing of neurobehavioral markers. As a practical demonstration of the SED heuristic within the 4E/MoBI framework, a concrete experimental example using the N170 event-related potential (ERP) component is presented. While the N170 ERP component is not posited as the foundational marker in the field, it serves to illustrate the application of hypothesis-driven designs and analyses. The 4E/MoBI approach offers a promising avenue for the integration of neuroscience and psychotherapy research. By addressing existing gaps, such as the physiology and phenomenology of expertise in psychotherapy, this framework can foster a virtuous relationship between the two disciplines, paving the way for more comprehensive and nuanced understandings of therapeutic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to find out how values and norms related to touch are perceived in the physiotherapist-patient relationship. 149 physiotherapists and 100 patients participated in the study. The questionnaire used in the survey was prepared in two versions, both containing the same 30 items describing the use of therapeutic touch from two perspectives. The respondents had to provide their answers on 6-point ordinal scales with the centre excluded. In our analyses we treated the applied research tool as a scale of fulfilment of touch-related norms in the case of therapists and, respectively, a scale of expectations of fulfilment of these norms in the case of patients. The reliability of the tool was checked with Cronbach’s α method. Factor analysis, Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used to develop the obtained results.

Étudier le processus de parentification à partir du matériel issu d'une psychothérapie chez une patiente suivie en Centre Médico-Psychologique (CMP). Le matériel clinique fait l'objet d'une analyse thématique, une analyse de la dynamique du transfert et du contre-transfert étayée par une réflexion théorique. L'histoire infantile de la patiente est marquée par un renversement générationnel, des imagos parentales envahissantes, des dynamiques identificatoires narcissiques, des relations familiales incestuelles, un couple parental et conjugal dysfonctionnel, une dynamique fraternelle où la parentification de l'aîné (notre patiente) est au premier plan, ainsi qu'une possible transmission intergénérationnelle ou transgénérationnelle de la parentification. Son choix professionnel s'oriente vers un métier de soin. La psychothérapie psychanalytique a permis un meilleur insight, des changements au niveau des imagos parentales et des changements dans la relation aux autres (conjoint, enfants, fratrie, collègues). L'analyse clinique de différents thèmes, l'exploration tridimensionnelle du processus de parentification (intrapsychique, intersubjectif et transubjectif), ainsi que celle de la dynamique transféro-contre-transférentielle nous ont permis de montrer des changements au niveau du fonctionnement psychique de la patiente, de mettre en évidence la nature de l'empreinte de la parentification, ainsi que son élaboration dans la thérapie. La psychothérapie psychanalytique a été utilisée comme méthode d'investigation (des processus conscients et inconscients et d'évaluation du processus de parentification) et également comme méthode de traitement psychothérapeutique. Cette recherche expose la reconstruction de ce qui s'est passé au décours d'une psychothérapie psychanalytique, en ayant comme fil conducteur la problématique de la parentification et de son élaboration, mettant en évidence les éléments cliniques dégagés grâce à l'analyse de la dynamique transféro-contre-transférentielle. The purpose of this article is to highlight the imprint of the parentification process in a patient in the context of a four-year psychoanalytic psychotherapy, through the analysis of the parentification process in its intrapsychic, intersubjective, and transsubjective dimensions. After the end of the therapy, the psychotherapist returns to the material, which involved a patient who presented a depressive disorder and a parentification process during their childhood. We analyzed different themes related to parentification: infantile history, parental imagos , identifying dynamics, parental couple and conjugality, siblings, family functioning, choice of professional career and the relationship to work, and finally, a possible intergenerational or transgenerational transmission of parentification. We observed changes to the patient's subjective suffering: better insight, changes in parental imagos, and also changes in the relationship with others (partner and children) as a consequence of an elaborative process around her parentification. In this case, parentification appears as a response to the traumatic infantile parental perception, as a defensive organization, as a survival solution organized around the symbiotic relationship between the child and the sick parent and, later, in relationships of great dependence with her spouse or her children. Throughout the psychotherapy process we observed: a childhood story marked by a generational reversal, an invasive parental imago , narcissistic identificatory dynamics, a parental couple characterized by dysfunctional conjugality, a special place in her siblings, a familial functioning marked by confusion between roles and generations, a professional choice in the field of care, a potential intergenerational or transgenerational transmission of parentification, and finally a dysfunctional parenthood over several generations. The narcissistic dimension of parentification observed in this patient seems to be linked to the omnipotent position vis-à-vis her "failed" parents, which activates a megalomaniacal narcissism and a heroic masochism. For the psychotherapist, the method of treatment and the method of research overlap. The work of writing this case of psychoanalytical psychotherapy allows for new reflections in its aftermath, other elaborations on the material of the sessions, and a tridimensional exploration of the process of parentification: intrapsychic, intersubjective, and transubjective. We underscore the contribution of the clinical elements revealed by the analysis of the transfer/counter-transference dynamics in the process of deparentification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient-targeted Googling (PTG) is an unavoidable aspect of the internet era, offering both opportunities and risks. However, no PTG studies have been conducted in Asian contexts to date. Additionally, existing research has provided limited exploration of factors influencing PTG practices, particularly regarding the professional differences between psychiatrists and psychologists. This study seeks to address these research gaps., Method: A total of 943 licensed psychiatrists and psychologists working in China completed an online survey. The survey included their attitudes towards PTG (including general attitude, application situations, reasons for/against PTG) and their actual practice of PTG., Results: 250(26.5%) respondents reported using PTG. Among them, 151(60.4%) respondents sought consent from clients before use, and 142(56.8%) respondents discussed search results with clients after use. Chinese psychiatrists and psychologists have contradictory attitudes, with concerns but also recognition of its possible positive effects, and expressing a need for more guidance. Compared to psychiatrists or those working in public institutions, psychologists and those working in private institutions report greater concerns about PTG but engage in it more frequently., Conclusions: Although the sample is limited, the study reveals notable differences in attitudes and practice of PTG among Chinese psychiatrists and psychologists, which may be related to their distinct professional roles and workplace environments. These findings suggest the need for further research to better understand the underlying factors contributing to these differences. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of developing tailored ethical guidelines and targeted training programs to address PTG practices for psychiatrists and psychologists in China., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Feng, Hu, Qiao and Shao.)

Abstract Background The therapeutic relationship between patient and physiotherapist is a central component of patient-centred care and has been positively associated with better physiotherapy clinical outcomes. Despite its influence, we do not know what conditions enable a physiotherapist and patient to establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship. This knowledge has implications for how clinicians approach their interactions with patients and for the development of an assessment tool that accurately reflects the nature of the therapeutic relationship. Therefore, this study’s aim was to identify and provide in-depth descriptions of the necessary conditions of engagement of the therapeutic relationship between physiotherapists and patients. Methods Interpretive description was the qualitative methodological orientation used to identify and describe the conditions that reflect and are practically relevant to clinical practice. Eleven physiotherapists with a minimum 5 years of clinical experience and seven adult patients with musculoskeletal disorders were purposively sampled from private practice clinics in Edmonton, Canada. The in-person, semi-structured interviews were completed in a location of the participant’s choice and were audio recorded and transcribed. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the textual data and constant comparison techniques were integrated to refine the categories and sub-categories. Rigour strategies used throughout the study were peer debrief, interview notes, reflexive journaling, memoing, member reflections, audit trail, and external audit. Results Four conditions were identified as necessary for establishing a therapeutic relationship: present, receptive, genuine, and committed. These conditions represent the intentions and attitudes of physiotherapists and patients engaging in the clinical interaction. Although distinct, the conditions appear related as being present and receptive create a foundation for being genuine and committed. Conclusions These conditions of engagement are needed for physiotherapist and patient to “be” in a therapeutic relationship. Although communication skills are important for advancing therapists’ relational abilities, awareness and integration of intentions and attitudes are essential for shaping behaviors that develop the therapeutic relationship. These findings also suggest there are characteristics of the therapeutic relationship specific to physiotherapy. Therefore, theories from other contexts (e.g., psychotherapy) should be used judiciously to guide physiotherapy practice and research.

Mikołajewska Emilia, Komendziński Tomasz, Dreszer Joanna, Bałaj Bibianna, Mikołajewski Dariusz. Role of toys in the development and rehabilitation of children with developmental disorders. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2015;5(4):224-228. ISSN 2391-8306. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16864 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2015%3B5%284%29%3A224-228 https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/554863 http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16864 Formerly Journal of Health Sciences. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. Archives 2011 – 2014 http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/issue/archive Deklaracja. Specyfika i zawartość merytoryczna czasopisma nie ulega zmianie. Zgodnie z informacją MNiSW z dnia 2 czerwca 2014 r., że w roku 2014 nie będzie przeprowadzana ocena czasopism naukowych; czasopismo o zmienionym tytule otrzymuje tyle samo punktów co na wykazie czasopism naukowych z dnia 31 grudnia 2014 r. The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Part B item 1089. (31.12.2014). © The Author (s) 2015; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland and Radom University in Radom, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received: 15.02.2015. Revised 27.03.2015. Accepted: 10.04.2015. Role of toys in the development and rehabilitation of children with developmental disorders Emilia Mikołajewska1,2,3, Tomasz Komendziński3,4, Joanna Dreszer3,4, Bibianna Bałaj3,4, Dariusz Mikołajewski3,5,6 1 Department of Physiotherapy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medium in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2 Rehabilitation Clinic, The 10th Clinical Military Hospital with Policlinic, Bydgoszcz, Poland 3 Neurocognitive Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Center for Modern Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 4 Department of Cognitive Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland 5 Institute of Mechanics and Applied Computer Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki Universit, Bydgoszcz, Poland 6 Department of Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland Corresponding author: Emilia Mikołajewska Rehabilitation Clinic Military Clinical Hospital No. 10 and Polyclinic Bydgoszcz, Poland e-mail: e.mikolajewska@wp.pl, emiliam@cm.umk.pl www: http://emikolajewska.netstrefa.eu Keywords: rehabilitation; physiotherapy; developmental disorders; toy use; parent–child interaction; patient-therapist relationship. Abstract Developmental disorders (called also developmental disabilities) are disorders beginning before age 18 and characterized by delay of developmental skills expected to achieve in particular age or developmental stage. Every effort toward new ways of intervention is precious, and achievement of the therapeutical success still constitutes tru challenge. This study aims at assessment how toys can be incorporated into principles of the eclectic approach toward therapy of children with developmental disabilities.

Background:Patient-targeted Googling (PTG) describes the searching on the Internet by healthcare professionals for information about patients with or without their knowledge. Introduction:Little research has been conducted into PTG internationally. PTG can have particular ethical implications within the field of mental health. This study was undertaken to identify the extent of PTG by New Zealand mental healthcare professionals and needs for further guidance regarding this issue. Materials and Methods:All (1,850) psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists working in New Zealand were electronically surveyed about their experience of PTG and knowledge about the associated practice of therapist-targeted Googling (TTG) using a questionnaire that had previously been developed with a German sample. Due to ethics and advertising restrictions, only one indirect approach was made to potential participants. Results:Eighty-eight clinicians (5%) responded to the survey invitation. More than half (53.4%, N = 47) of respondents reportedly being engaged in PTG, but only a minority (10.3%, N = 9) had ever received any education about the subject. Reasons for undertaking PTG included facilitating the therapeutic process, information being in the public domain, and mitigating risks. Reasons against undertaking PTG included impairment of therapeutic relationship, unethical invasion of privacy, and concerns regarding the accuracy and clinical relevance of online information. Two-thirds of participants reported being the subject of TTG. Discussion:New Zealand psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists are engaging in PTG with limited education and professional guidance. Further discussion and research are required, and so, PTG is undertaken in a manner that is safe and useful for patients and health practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Attire is one of the major determinants of appearance and a key element of non-verbal communication that plays a critical role in the establishment and sustainability of therapeutic relationships. This study aimed to determine the patients’ preferred physiotherapists’ attire and the effect of physiotherapists’ attire on patients’ confidence, comfort and patient-therapists relationship. Methods: A questionnaire was used to collect data in this cross sectional study design. Patients (N=281) attending outpatients physiotherapy clinics in six selected tertiary health institutions in North-eastern Nigeria completed a questionnaire consisting of two sections. Section one solicited sociodemographic information while in section two patients rated their level of confidence and comfort with physiotherapists based on a photo pictures of a male and a female physiotherapists models in four different attires. Descriptive statistics were performed to characterize participants and the differences in patients’ confidence and comfort level by different types of attire were assessed using chi-square. The correlation between physiotherapists’ attire and patient-physiotherapist relationship was determined using spearman rank correlation. Results: Overwhelming majority of the participants were more comfortable (91.1%) and more confident (89.0%) with the physiotherapists dressed in white coat, while they were less comfortable and less confident when their therapists are dressed in suit, native or casual wear. Positive patient-therapist relationship was observed with white coat dressed physiotherapists; while the relationship with business, native and casual wears were inverse. Conclusion: The study supports for continuing recommendation of lab coat as a professional dressing for physiotherapists in Nigeria and affirms the importance of professional dressing in patient-therapists relationship.

This study tests the hypothesis that therapist responsiveness in the first two sessions of therapy relates to three measures of early patient engagement in treatment. Using videotapes and data from the NIMH Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program (TDCRP), an instrument was developed to measure therapist responsiveness in the first two sessions of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. A factor measuring positive therapeutic atmosphere, as well as a global item of therapist responsiveness, predicted both the patient's positive perception of the therapeutic relationship after the second session and the patient's remaining in therapy for more than four sessions. A negative therapist behavior factor also predicted early termination. Factors measuring therapist attentiveness and early empathic responding did not predict the engagement variables. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The study of complex systems, such as the psychotherapeutic encounter, transcends the mechanistic and reductionist methods for describing linear processes and needs suitable approaches to describe probabilistic and scarcely predictable phenomena., Objective: The present study undertakes a scoping review of research on the computational methods in psychotherapy to gather new developments in this field and to better understand the phenomena occurring in psychotherapeutic interactions as well as in human interaction more generally., Design: Online databases were used to identify papers published 2011-2022, from which we selected 18 publications from different resources, selected according to criteria established in advance and described in the text. A flow chart and a summary table of the articles consulted have been created., Results: The majority of publications (44.4%) reported combined computational and experimental approaches, so we grouped the studies according to the types of computational methods used. All but one of the studies collected measured data. All the studies confirmed the usefulness of predictive and learning models in the study of complex variables such as those belonging to psychological, psychopathological and psychotherapeutic processes., Conclusions: Research on computational methods will benefit from a careful selection of reference methods and standards. Therefore, this review represents an attempt to systematise the empirical literature on the applications of computational methods in psychotherapy research in order to offer clinicians an overview of the usefulness of these methods and the possibilities of their use in the various fields of application, highlighting their clinical implications, and ultimately attempting to identify potential opportunities for further research.

Background & Aims: The long-term success of life-style interventions in the treatment of obesity is limited. Although psychological factors have been suggested to modify therapeutic effects, specifically the implications of attachment styles and the patient-therapist relationship have not been examined in detail yet. Methods: This study included 44 obese patients who participated in a one-year multimodal weight-reduction program. Attachment style was analyzed by the Adult Attachment Prototype Rating (AAPR) inventory and its relation to a one-year weight reduction program was studied. The patient-therapist-relationship was assessed using the Helping Alliance Questionnaire. Results: Attachment style was secure in 68% of participants and insecure (preoccupied and dismissing) in 32%. Interestingly a significantly higher weight-reduction was found in securely (SAI) compared to insecurely attached individuals (UAI; p < 0.05). This estimation correlated positively also to the quality of helping alliance (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The frequency of insecure attachment in obese individuals was comparable to that of the normal population. Our data suggest a greater weight-reduction for SAI than for UAI, and the patient-therapist relationship was rated more positively. The conclusion can be drawn that a patient's attachment style plays a role in an interdisciplinary treatment program for obesity and has an influence on the effort to lose weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A therapist's three experiences as a recipient of psychotherapy have led her to appreciate the ways in which one therapy informs another. She examines what may be learned from a less than successful therapy. She reflects on several lessons she has learned from her own therapies-lessons that have shaped her as a clinician. In particular, she notes that when the therapist and patient are remarkably similar in their values and strengths, the therapist needs to take great care that key issues are not glossed over or mishandled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Douleur et Analgésie is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Douleur et Analgésie is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Chronic pain is a major public health problem. It affects the quality of life of many patients and their families and compromises physical and social functioning and psychological well-being. Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly being used as a complement to chronic pain care. One of these interventions is Touch massage (TM) that can provide relaxation, comfort and well-being. In addition to its various physiological functions, TM can be used as a social communication tool. This is a cluster study with an exploratory qualitative part. Two groups will be considered: the experimental group will benefit from a TM delivered by trained members of care team and the control group will benefit from an intervention of the same duration with a foot massage device. At least 4 sessions will be delivered and spread over two weeks. Sample size calculation showed that 78 participants (39 per group) need to be included. As for the qualitative part, semi-structured interviews will be conducted to investigate the patients' perception of the intervention; focus groups will explore the satisfaction and general perception of the health care teams. Incorporating TM interventions into care planning could bring benefits in supporting patients suffering from chronic pain. TM is expected to increase the patients' feelings that their pain is seriously considered; physical and psychological support should help improve their sense of comfort and well-being and hence their quality of life. This practice might thus improve the caregiver-patient relationship with TM as a providing a new means of establishing communication through touch. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04295603, Registered on March 4, 2020. • Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly being used as a complement to chronic pain care • This cluster study including an exploratory qualitative part will provide a high level of evidence • Incorporating Touch Massage (TM) interventions into care planning is expected to bring benefits in supporting patients suffering from chronic pain [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing use of the Internet and its array of social networks brings new ways for psychotherapists to find out information about their patients, often referred to as patient-targeted googling (PTG). However, this topic has been subject to little empirical research; there has been hardly any attention given to it in Germany and the rest of Europe and it has not been included in ethical guidelines for psychotherapy despite the complex ethical issues it raises.Objective: This study explored German psychotherapists' behavior and experiences related to PTG, investigated how these vary with sociodemographic factors and therapeutic background, and explored the circumstances in which psychotherapists considered PTG to be appropriate or not.Methods: A total of 207 psychotherapists responded to a newly developed questionnaire that assessed their experience of and views on PTG. The study sample was a nonrepresentative convenience sample recruited online via several German-speaking professional therapy platforms.Results: Most therapists (84.5%, 174/207) stated that they had not actively considered the topic of PTG. However, 39.6% (82/207) said that they had already looked for patient information online (eg, when they suspected a patient may have been lying) and 39.3% (81/207) knew colleagues or supervisors who had done so. Only 2.4% (5/207) of therapists had come across PTG during their education and training.Conclusions: It is essential to provide PTG as a part of therapists' education and training. Furthermore, the complex problems concerning PTG should be introduced into codes of ethics to provide explicit guidance for psychotherapists in practice. This report provides initial suggestions to open up debate on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of the Internet as a source of health information is growing among people who experience mental health difficulties. The increase in Internet use has led to questions about online information-seeking behaviors, for example, how psychotherapists and patients use the Internet to ascertain information about each other. The notion of psychotherapists seeking information about their patients online (patient-targeted googling, PTG) has been identified and explored. However, the idea of patients searching for information online about their psychotherapists (therapist-targeted googling, TTG) and the associated motives and effects on the therapeutic relationship remain unclear., Objective: This study investigated former and current German-speaking psychotherapy patients' behavior and attitudes relating to TTG. In addition, patients' methods of information gathering, motives, and success in searching for information were examined. Furthermore, patients' experiences and perceptions of PTG were explored., Methods: Overall, 238 former and current psychotherapy patients responded to a new questionnaire specifically designed to assess the frequency, motives, use, and outcomes of TTG as well as experiences and perceptions of PTG. The study sample was a nonrepresentative convenience sample recruited online via several German-speaking therapy platforms and self-help forums., Results: Of the 238 former and current patients who responded, 106 (44.5%) had obtained information about their therapists; most of them (n=85, 80.2%) had used the Internet for this. Besides curiosity, motives behind information searches included the desire to get to know the therapist better by attempting to search for both professional and private information. TTG appeared to be associated with phases of therapy in which patients felt that progress was not being made. Patients being treated for personality disorders appear to engage more frequently in TTG (rphi = 0.21; P=.004). In general, however, information about therapists sought for online was often not found. Furthermore, most patients refrained from telling their therapist about their information searches., Conclusions: Patients appear to engage in TTG to obtain both professional and private information about their psychotherapists. TTG can be viewed as a form of client-initiated disclosure. It is therefore important to include TTG as a subject in therapists' education and also to raise awareness within patient education. This investigation provides the first findings into TTG to begin debate on this subject.

The present research aimed to define a latent measurement dimension underlying personal beliefs about the psychotherapeutic relationship. In Study 1, 927 university students completed a newly devised 40-item questionnaire. A latent trait modeling approach was used, by applying the Many-Facet Rasch Measurement model (MFRM). In Study 2, 237 participants, presenting different levels of mental health expertise, completed the defined instrument and the Mental Disorders Causal Beliefs (MDCB) scale. A second MFRM analysis was performed along with a bias/interaction analysis. The main results evidenced a 27-item measure denominated Mental Disorders Therapy Relationship (MDTR); several MDTR item contents differed in relation to the professional expertise level and the MDCB aetiological beliefs, emphasizing either the active, balanced, or passive patient's role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]