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Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of common and serious sequelae of stroke. Approximately, one in three stroke survivors suffered from depression after stroke. It heavily affected functional rehabilitation, which leaded to poor quality of life. What is worse, it is strongly associated with high mortality. In this review, we aimed to derive a comprehensive and integrated understanding of PSD according to recently published papers and previous classic articles. Based on the considerable number of studies, we found that within 2 years incidence of PSD has a range from 11 to 41%. Many factors contribute to the occurrence of PSD, including the history of depression, stroke severity, lesion location, and so on. Currently, the diagnosis of PSD is mainly based on the DSM guidelines and combined with various depression scales. Unfortunately, we lack a unified mechanism to explain PSD which mechanisms now involve dysregulation of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, increased inflammatory factors, decreased levels of monoamines, glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, and abnormal neurotrophic response. At present, both pharmacotherapy and psychological therapies are employed in treating PSD. Although great advance has been made by researchers, there are still a lot of issues need to be addressed. Especially, the mechanism of PSD is not completely clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spirituality has been gaining recognition as a potential treatment modality. Our paper aimed to provide a systematic overview of existing research examining the use of spirituality as a treatment method for depression. All articles published between 2000 and 2018 that scientifically evaluated therapeutic interventions with elements of spirituality were included in the review. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Their analysis showed that there were elements of spirituality-based treatments that were repeatedly mentioned, including gratitude, forgiveness, self-acceptance, and compassion. Most often, spirituality was used together with psychotherapy. The review also noted the emergence of digital interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a proposed working definition of “applied psychophysiology.” The paper reviews the background for the term, reasons for formalizing a definition, and boundaries. The working definition, explanation of key terms, and inclusion and exclusion criteria are then presented. Selected questions are then addressed such as whether physiology always has to be measured, and the boundaries such as distinguishing applied psychophysiology from psychotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychotherapy of personality disorders (PD) is gaining momentum, though the progress has been mostly concerned borderline PD, with the other disorders largely neglected. In parallel, many empirically tested approaches focus on a limited understanding of psychopathology, for example poor mentalization or affect dysregulation, while PD are complex entities; they require clinicians paying attention to multiple therapy targets in order to be treated effectively and for a hope of actual recovery. I contend here that a more comprehensive account of psychopathology is needed; therefore the papers in this special issue focus on some of these aspects, such as difficulties in mental state understanding, dysfunctional representations of self with others, poor affect regulation and lack of access to adaptive and healthy self-aspects. The papers included in this special issue try and provide the readers with an intensive qualitative account of how therapists can act and yield improvements in these domains, with the hope of improving clinicians' abilities to treat PD no matter what their preferred orientation is. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theories of healing have attempted to identify general mechanisms that may work across different modalities. These include altering expectations, remoralization, and instilling hope. In this paper, we argue that many forms of healing and psychotherapy may work by inducing positive psychological states marked by flexibility or an enhanced ability to shift cognitive sets. Healing practices may induce these states of cognitive and emotional flexibility through specific symbolic interventions we term "flexibility primers" that can include images, metaphors, music, and other media. The flexibility hypothesis suggests that cognitive and emotional flexibility is represented, elicited, and enacted through multiple modalities in healing rituals. Identifying psychological processes and cultural forms that evoke and support cognitive and emotional flexibility provides a way to understand the cultural specificity and potential efficacy of particular healing practices and can guide the design of interventions that promote resilience and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The objective of this paper was to discuss the psychological impact of active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer (PCa) and the resulting implications of psychological wellbeing for treatment decision making and acceptance of AS protocols. Method: Qualitative and quantitative research in the area of anxiety, depression, and distress is discussed drawing from PCa literature as well other health conditions from which parallels can be drawn. Results: Attention is given to the role of the clinician in treatment decision making, including the value of information provision, and perceived trust in the AS as a management approach. Conclusion: Given that research is conflicted regarding the psychological impact of AS for PCa, it is suggested that focus shifts away from debate of the 'true' experience of AS rather researchers and clinicians should seek to identify the factors associated with positive and negative psychological response to diagnosis and AS to improve psychological and physical outcomes. Recommendations for clinical practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unified psychotherapy is an emerging trend in psychotherapy integration. This paper describes how and why unification constitutes a fifth pathway in the psychotherapy integration literature, and it delineates its key elements, and how it is practiced. The defining feature of unification is that it adopts a metatheoretical perspective that allows for the major psychotherapy paradigms and their interrelations to be seen from a more comprehensive vantage point. Such approaches facilitate holistic understandings of patients and treatment. The practice of unified psychotherapy includes comprehensive assessment, clinical case conceptualization and problem formulation, treatment planning and monitoring, and core principles for effective practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While the use of clinical feedback systems has become commonplace in psychological treatment, many of the most common instruments used for this purpose have not changed in decades. This paper describes the first four cycles of a measure development method designed to embrace continuous quality improvement.Methods: Using techniques and philosophies developed in business management and academia-lean continuous quality improvement, action research, and practice research networks-we iterated through multiple cycles of development with the goal of creating an optimal clinical feedback system. These cycles emphasize building capacity to receive and implement feedback from a variety of stakeholders, especially patients and providers of behavioral health services, while also being responsive to quantitative findings from measure development.Results: Iterating measure development with stakeholder feedback over the course of 5 years has resulted in a novel measurement system with 19 subscales administered via branching logic, and a supporting practice research network to sustain development.Conclusion: In developing a new clinical feedback system, the less-frequently-discussed practical aspects of measure development require close attention. Specifically, being willing to embrace change, planning for iteration, and systematically seeking stakeholder feedback are identified as central methods for improving clinical feedback systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofeedback has been shown to have some level of efficacy for the treatment of a number of chronic medical conditions; however, individualized biofeedback treatment is not always feasible. While group- based interventions are growing in practice due to numerous advantages, the dearth of research examining the efficacy of Group Biofeedback (GBF) suggests that this treatment modality may not be commonly utilized. Thus, the current paper highlights some advantages and constructively addresses potential challenges of utilizing GBF. Obstacles specific to GBF include equipment for participants, need for support staffing, and billing. However, the potential benefits are numerous, and pertain to cost-effectiveness, improved patient access, and additive benefits specific to group-based treatment. We offer a six-session GBF protocol to be used to guide future clinical work in this area. We hope that through the ideas and protocol presented in this paper, biofeedback practitioners will be more inclined to implement GBF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the author discusses an article on attachment by Crayton Rowe, an article on the reintegration of veterans by Martha Bragin, and an article on neurobiology by Diane Barth.

This manuscript is based on a keynote address presented at the 2020 Marcé Society's Conference celebrating the Society's 40th anniversary. The address described a 50-year perspective on prevention research, current evidence that perinatal depression can be prevented, and how digital tools could be used to disseminate perinatal depression prevention interventions throughout the world. We utilized the Mothers and Babies Course as a case study to illustrate these goals. The article reviews the gradual progress of depression prevention research, from the time when the state of the science was such that it was believed that the onset of major depressive episodes could not be prevented until the present day. In addition, the article recounts the three consensus reports on prevention of mental disorders published by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, culminating in the 2019 report, which calls on the field to implement known interventions for the prevention of depression and other mental disorders, and to scale up their administration to reduce the prevalence of these disorders in the general population. The paper presents the 2019 recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force, which instructs the health system to provide routine referrals to perinatal depression prevention interventions (e.g., the Mothers and Babies Course) to perinatal persons at risk for depression. We now have the knowledge to prevent approximately half of episodes of perinatal depression. It is time to implement this knowledge and begin to do research on how to prevent the remaining half. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perinatal depression is an important public health problem. Psychological interventions play an essential role in the treatment of depression. In the current paper, we will present the results of a series of meta-analyses on psychological treatments of perinatal depression. We report the results of a series of meta-analyses on psychological treatments of depression, including perinatal depression. The meta-analyses are based on a database of randomized trials on psychotherapies for depression that has been systematically developed and updated every year. Psychological interventions are effective in the treatment of perinatal depression with a moderate effect size of g = 0.67, corresponding with a NNT of about 4. These effects were still significant at 12 months after the start of the treatment. These interventions also have significant effects on social support, anxiety, functional impairment, parental stress, and marital stress. Possibly the effects are overestimated because of the use of waiting list control groups, the low quality of the majority of trials and publication bias. Research on psychotherapies for depression in general has shown that there are no significant differences between the major types of therapy, except for non-directive counseling that may have somewhat smaller effects. CBT can also be delivered in individual, group, telephone, and guided self-help format. Interventions in subthreshold depression are also effective and may prevent the onset of a full-blown depressive disorder, while therapies may be less effective in chronic depression. Psychological interventions are effective and deserve their place as first-line treatment of perinatal depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic research on emotional memory has given rise to important innovations in research on memory training in the context of psychopathology. In the special issue om memory training research is presented on (1) memory processes in psychopathology; (2) modification of emotional memories in psychotherapy; and (3) procedures to directly target memory processes. We review the key contributions of the special issue in these areas and describe the challenges for further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During psychotherapy assessments clinicians may recognize that some of their injured and traumatized clients may be wrestling with issues related to a lack of forgiveness linked to Moral Injury (MI). This paper presents the Forgiveness Interview Protocol (FIP), a narrative therapy writing-process model for the treatment of Moral Injury, drawing upon the philosophical work of Margaret Holmgren: "Forgiveness and the Intrinsic Value of Persons" (1993) now linked to a variety of evidence-based psychological sources. The FIP utilizes three distinct theoretical and clinical disciplines to arrive at a semi-structured interview intended for mental health counseling, and religious and spiritual care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in applications of artificial intelligence and the use of data analytics technology in biomedicine are creating optimism, as many believe these technologies will fill the need-availability gap by increasing resources for mental health care. One resource considered especially promising is smartphone psychotherapy chatbots, i.e., artificially intelligent bots that offer cognitive behavior therapy to their users with the aim of helping them improve their mental health. While a number of studies have highlighted the positive outcomes of using smartphone psychotherapy chatbots to handle various anxiety related problems no conclusive data illustrate their effectiveness or warrant their use in mental illness diagnosis and treatment settings. Yet smartphone psychotherapy is highly endorsed by experts in the field of mental health research. In this paper, I focus on the specific features of smartphone psychotherapy chatbots intended for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and criticize three popular promises; i.e., (i) they enable early diagnosis and intervention through digital phenotyping; (ii) they defy the stigma of mental illness diagnosis and treatment; (iii) they offer increased access to mental health treatment globally. Going against the popular enthusiasm, I argue smartphone psychotherapy chatbots have epistemic and ethical limitations in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses. In light of these, I encourage researchers, clinicians, policy makers, patients, and caregivers to pause before jumping on the artificial intelligence bandwagon to seek solutions for mental illness on the grounds of these three promises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this paper were to study if the traits of the Positive Personality Model (PPM; de la Iglesia and Castro Solano, in Front Psychol 9:2025, 2018) were stable throughout time, if patients perceived change in psychotherapy process, and if positive traits at the beginning of the treatment (Time 1) predicted psychotherapy progress after 3 (Time 2) and 6 (Time 3) months of psychological treatment. The sample was composed of 38 subjects, with a mean age of 38.82 (SD = 12.76; 63.2% female; 36.8% male), who had just initiated psychotherapy treatment (Time 1). Results of a repeated measures ANOVA indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in the positive traits within the three moments that were measured. On the contrary, the level of perceived (lack of) psychotherapy progress diminished significantly in each assessment. Since the measure is reversed, this indicates an increment in the self-perception of the patients regarding the progress in psychotherapy. Moreover, a model in which the positive traits in Time 1 were predictors of psychotherapy progress in Time 2 and in Time 3 resulted statistically significant. Of all the positive traits, sprightliness was the only significant predictor. It is concluded that positive traits are characterized by stability throughout time and that, once again, sprightliness stands out as the main predictor of desirable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical guidelines recommend intensive community care service treatment (ICCS) to reduce adolescent psychiatric inpatient care. We have previously reported that the addition of ICCS led to a substantial decrease in hospital use and improved school re-integration. The aim of this study is to undertake a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing an inpatient admission followed by an early discharge supported by ICCS with usual inpatient admission (treatment as usual; TAU). In this paper, we report the impact of ICCS on self-harm and other clinical and educational outcomes. 106 patients aged 12–18 admitted for psychiatric inpatient care were randomised (1:1) to either ICCS or TAU. Six months after randomisation, we compared the two treatment arms on the number and severity of self-harm episodes, the functional impairment, severity of psychiatric symptoms, clinical improvement, reading and mathematical ability, weight, height and the use of psychological therapy and medication. At six-month follow-up, there were no differences between the two groups on most measures. Patients receiving ICCS were significantly less likely to report multiple episodes (five or more) of self-harm (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.05–0.64). Patients admitted to private inpatient units spent on average 118.4 (95% CI: 28.2–208.6) fewer days in hospitals if they were in the ICCS group compared to TAU. The addition of ICCS to TAU may lower the risk of multiple self-harm and may reduce the duration of inpatient stay, especially in those patients admitted for private care. Early discharge with ICCS appears to be a viable alternative to standard inpatient treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on a study by Brad Lewis regarding Prozac and the politics of cyborgs. List of significant and well-supported claims in the study; Concerns about the major claims and arguments in Brad's paper; Opinion on the important insights about medical technology and the Prozac phenomenon offered in the study.

Mobile phones are becoming a communication tool commonly used by people all over the world; and they are started to be adopted in psychosocial therapies involving vulnerable people. We are herein presenting the results of an academic literature review. We identified scientific papers published between 2006 and 2015 resorting to academic databases available on the Internet, applying a systematic selection method based on quality criteria. Secondly, we analysed contents, highlighting the scarcity of research involving vulnerable people. The available literature specialized in psychosocial therapies offers investigation results which involve mobile phones and patients in general, focusing particularly on the clinical psychology field and, to a lesser extent, on the social work field. Particularly significant are the investigation works developed in the United States. In the present paper we introduce a first 'state of the art', identifying opportunities and also the limitations surrounding the use of mobile phones in psychosocial therapies targeting the vulnerable. Issues concerning privacy and data confidentiality, and the access of vulnerable people to mobile phones and how they use them, pose significant challenges; but they offer the opportunity to reach isolated or impoverished populations, or even to facilitate access to social and healthcare services. We close this paper formulating possible orientations, hypotheses and goals to design new investigation works involving vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being offered a gift is one of the experiences nearly most had as practicing therapists. It can create upheaval in the minds of therapists. It can trigger pre-existing notions about accepting/rejecting gifts in therapy. These notions have significant impact on therapy process. However, there is reluctance on the part of therapists to openly experience it and talk about it in supervisory discussions. Present paper narrates experience of cognitive and emotional upheavals by a 25 year old female therapist to gift offers in therapy by a 28 year old female client. Thus, focus is on the experiences felt by therapist and on supervisory discussions, following a narrative account, which have significant relevance to clinical practice and training. Paper concludes with summary of supervisory discussions occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

My assignment was to critique and integrate the previous papers. I have organized this paper as follows: (1) a description and rationale for a checklist which can be used in judging the quality of a fidelity measure; (2) a critique of the Schaedle and Epstein paper; (4) a critique of the Lucca paper; and (4) a review of the paper by Bond, Evans, Salyers, Williams, and Kim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women who have experienced childhood trauma (CT) are at increased risk for depression during pregnancy and postpartum, pregnancy complications, and adverse child outcomes. There are effective psychotherapeutic interventions to treat depression during pregnancy and postpartum, yet there is a paucity of literature on the impact of CT on treatment outcomes. This review aims to determine whether and how maternal CT history affects the outcomes of psychological interventions for depression during pregnancy and postpartum. PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library searches were conducted to identify papers on psychological interventions designed to treat depression during pregnancy and postpartum in women with CT. Seven manuscripts, describing six studies, met the inclusion criteria (N = 1234). Three studies utilized core principles of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Two studies investigated interventions based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). One study was based on a psychoeducation component. Results suggest that IPT-based interventions are beneficial for women with CT. The evidence regarding CBT-based interventions is less conclusive. This review is written in light of the paucity of research addressing the question systematically. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was the main measure used to assess CT. Trauma related to accidents, illness, and political violence was not included. The results are only applicable to interventions based on either IPT or CBT and cannot be generalized to other forms of psychotherapy. Psychotherapeutic interventions are beneficial for depressed women with history of CT during pregnancy and postpartum; however, further systematic research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islamic prayers can produce spiritual energy that may yield many psychological benefits, such as amelioration of stress and improvement in subjective well-being, interpersonal sensitivity, and mastery. Islamic prayers can also be integrated into mainstream therapeutic interventions with religious Muslim clients, and this integration can mobilize, transform, and invigorate the process of psychotherapy. This paper provides methods that can be used for the explicit integration of Islamic prayers into traditional psychotherapy. Further, the paper offers strategies for avoiding potential pitfalls that may hamper this process. Finally, a case study illustrating this therapeutic integration and its psychological benefits will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper discusses the current literature with regard to substance-assisted psychotherapy with Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of the paper is to give a comprehensive overview of the development from MDMA’s early application in psychotherapy to its present and future role in the treatment of PTSD. It is further attempted to increase the attention for MDMA’s therapeutic potential by providing a thorough depiction of the scientific evidence regarding its theorized mechanism of action and potential harms of its application in the clinical setting (e.g., misattribution of therapeutic gains to medication instead of psychological changes). Empirical support for the use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, including the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trails that have been conducted since 2008, is discussed. Thus far, an overall remission rate of 66.2% and low rates of adverse effects have been found in the six phase two trials conducted in clinical settings with 105 blinded subjects with chronic PTSD. The results seem to support MDMA’s safe and effective use as an adjunct to psychotherapy. Even though preliminary studies may look promising, more studies of its application in a psychotherapeutic context are needed in order to establish MDMA as a potential adjunct to therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is an ethnographic exploration of how attachment theory underpins therapeutic practices in an Australian institutional context where mothers of infants have been diagnosed and are undergoing treatment for mental illness. We argue that attachment theory in this particular context rests on a series of principles or assumptions: that attachment theory is universally applicable; that attachment is dyadic and gendered; that there is an attachment template formed which can be transferred across generations and shapes future social interactions; that there is understood to be a mental health risk to the infant when attachment is characterised as problematic; and that this risk can be mitigated through the therapeutic practices advocated by the institution. Through an in-depth case study, this paper demonstrates how these assumptions cohere in practice and are used to assess mothering as deficient, to choose therapeutic options, to shape women's behaviour, and to formulate decisions about child placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of psychology and theology is often sought as a layering of intellectual abstractions from biblical and psychological sources. Though scriptural and scientific data may partially define the reality of God and human psychology, the Truth is an embodied act, God made incarnate among us as Christ. The common ground for integration of psychology and theology must then be this ground of being, the incarnate presence of Jesus Christ among us. The basis for integration is derived theologically from the relational nature of and God and the ongoing revelation of Christ to humankind through incarnational presence (i.e., social theology) and psychologically from the preeminence of relationships in shaping human development, well-being, and psychological distress (i.e., interpersonal psychology). This paper reviews both traditions in turn before then discussing the incarnation of Christ as the ground of being for their integration. Incarnational relational enactment is proposed to characterize the transformative presence of Christ in the healing work of a therapeutic relationship. This process is described as immediate, personal, unconditional, and dialectical, ultimately leading to a literal renewing of the mind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Victimology concerns victims of various traumas from accidents, disasters, assaults to wars. Survivors of trauma are also an area in clinical psychology since it is interested in the assessment and diagnosis of psychopathology and psychotherapy. Stress and mental health are intertwined; increased stress results in difficulties in feeling, thinking and behaving. The stress symptoms are an intrusion, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, and arousal and reactivity. A trauma survivor might develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Healing trauma is so comprehensive that many professionals work from different aspects. From attorneys to mental health workers, many professionals deal with the aftereffects of trauma. Engaging with details of the trauma endangers not only the victims but also the professionals working with the victims. These professionals end up having psychological effects such as secondary trauma, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, countertransference and occupational burnout. Trauma has serious effects on its victims but not all effects are negative and paralyzing. Trauma victims might change their priorities in a way that they report more personal control over their life. This phenomenon is called posttraumatic growth. The paper aims to collaborate victimology with clinical psychology by highlighting psychopathology and psychological assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is considered an effective treatment model to use with a variety of populations and conditions, from autism to substance abuse, due to its flexible nature. As an integrative model, it often incorporates core modalities such as psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and Gestalt therapy. Although there is a growing body of research addressing the efficacy of AAT, there is limited information on the actual process of utilizing AAT in clinical social work practice. Research shows that many clinicians support the use of AAT with clients but fail to integrate it into their own practice due to a lack of knowledge on the process of utilizing the model. This paper explores the process of integrating AAT into direct clinical practice and the theoretical basis for utilizing AAT as an adjunctive treatment model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, therapeutic alliance research has increasingly focused on understanding the process by which the alliance is ruptured and repaired. This paper is the first to explore how alliance rupture segments from psychotherapy sessions differ from non-rupture segments on key dimensions of the referential process. A sample of 27 psychotherapy sessions were scored using a measure designed to identify rupture from non-rupture segments. These segments were then scored for key linguistic dimensions of the referential process. During ruptures patients manifested a referential process marked by a decrease in emotional engagement, an increase in a measure of distancing, and an increase in negation as compared to non-rupture segments. Therapists show similar patterns but, in addition, manifest a language pattern that suggests that during ruptures, therapists are attempting to make sense of, and self-disclose, aspects of their inner experience. Implications for research and clinical work are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I Virtual Reality i gratefully acknowledges the editorial work of the scholars listed below on the special issue entitled B "Virtual Reality for Therapy, Psychological Interventions, and Physical and Cognitive Rehabilitation" b . Of 33 articles presented in this issue, 25 papers belong to the Special Issue. [Extracted from the article]

As our understanding of the human mind, idioms of human distress and mental health has improved, it has become apparent that culture has an impact on all aspects of our lives, including mental illness. Systems of care across the globe need to adapt and adjust delivery of care in order to accommodate the impact of globalisation and therefore be able to deliver person-centred care. A key aspect of delivering personalised care is the development and delivery of culturally adapted interventions that benefit cultural minority groups in developed countries and the majority cultural groups in developing countries. The journey of acknowledging the need for culturally relevant services has begun but we are a long way from delivering the personalised care that people deserve. This paper makes a case for action in this important area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed at summarizing evidence about effects of psycho-behavioral interventions (PBIs) on immune responses among cancer patients and analyzing quality of published studies so as to inform future researches. Methods: Literature retrieval utilized both highly inclusive algorithms searching randomized controlled studies published in English and Chinese and manual searching of eligible studies from references of relevant review papers. Two researchers examined the articles selected separately and extracted the information using a pre-designed form for soliciting data about the trials (e.g., sample size, disease status, intervention, immune responses) and quality ratings of the studies. Both narrative descriptions and meta-analysis (via Review manager 5) were used synthesizing the effects of PBIs on immune responses among cancer patients and state of art of the researches in this area. Results: Seventy-six RCTs met inclusion criteria. PBIs implemented were divided into three major categories including psychological state adjustment, physical activity and dietary modification. Immune indicators measured included CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, CD4/CDC8+ ratio, CD3+ cells, NK cell activity, etc. Effects of PBIs on immune responses documented in individual papers were mixed and pooled analysis of CD4+ cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, CD3+ cells, NKCA, IgG, IgM and IL-2 showed modest effects. However, there were huge discrepancies in intervention effects between studies published in English and Chinese and the results should be interpreted with caution. Besides, most studies suffer from some quality flaws concerning blinding, randomization procedures, compliance, attrition and intention-to-treat analyses, etc. Conclusions: Although there are considerable evidences of PBI effects on some immune indicators, the effect sizes are modest and it is still premature to conclude whether PBIs have effects on immune functions among cancer patients. There is a clear need for much more rigorous efforts in this area and future researches should pay particular attention to intervention dose and focus, sample size and comparable immune measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The description of process of psychotherapy in single case study is crucial to improve the art and craft of psychotherapy. However, despite widespread acceptance of its importance among academicians there is dearth of descriptive accounts of case studies. The present paper attempts to describe the process of assessment and formulation highlighting the possible traps professionals may fall prey to using case study method. The case study describes psychotherapy with a couple who came with the chief complaint of empty nest syndrome with one parent at the center of problem. The detailed evaluation led to an alternative formulation following system's approach paving way for better management plan. The paper emphasizes the need to take a step back, especially in the cases of where 'obvious' easy explanations are available. The time spent on the assessment could become a game changer, as happened in the present case. However, it has its own drawbacks as it may require significant time, energy and courage on the part of clients, therapists and systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus COVID-19 and the global pandemic has already had a substantial disruptive impact on society, posing major challenges to the provision of mental health services in a time of crisis, and carrying the spectre of an increased burden to mental health, both in terms of existing psychiatric disorder, and emerging psychological distress from the pandemic. In this paper we provide a framework for understanding the key challenges for psychologically informed mental health care during and beyond the pandemic. We identify three groups that can benefit from psychological approaches to mental health, and/or interventions relating to COVID-19. These are (i) healthcare workers engaged in frontline response to the pandemic and their patients; (ii) individuals who will experience the emergence of new mental health distress as a function of being diagnosed with COVID-19, or losing family and loved ones to the illness, or the psychological effects of prolonged social distancing; and (iii) individuals with existing mental health conditions who are either diagnosed with COVID-19 or whose experience of social distancing exacerbates existing vulnerabilities. Drawing on existing literature and our own experience of adapting treatments to the crisis we suggest a number of salient points to consider in identifying risks and offering support to all three groups. We also offer a number of practical and technical considerations for working psychotherapeutically with existing patients where COVID-19 restrictions have forced a move to online or technologically mediated delivery of psychological interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increased understanding of integrated behavioral healthcare highlights the importance of mental and physical wellness anchored by person-centered interventions. Evidence is accumulating in support of non-traditional, empirically supported mental health interventions such as equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP). Historically and currently, insurance companies neglect to cover EFP as a prevention and treatment strategy for children, youth, and families. Without coverage, the cost of participating in EFP is a financial barrier to accessing the intervention. Not covering and not reimbursing costs for this non-traditional intervention represents a crucial misstep by the insurance industry. EFP's strong history and professionalization, its comparable cost to talk therapy, a growing research base demonstrating EFP's benefits for youth, and policy efforts toward increasing person-centered, innovative, integrated healthcare approaches suggest greater access to interventions such as EFP is needed. Because EFP may be more accessible to those who might not traditionally attend or respond positively to talk therapy sessions, it should not be available only to those with the most privilege. Insurance coverage and reimbursement for EFP is necessary to advance the field, aid service standardization, integrate service tracking systems, and increase the research quality, all of which would ultimately benefit youth mental health. This paper aims to serve as a resource for social work practitioners looking to recommend, engage in, or advocate for EFP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the sources of normativity in childhood depression. Also cited are a study on the effects of treatments, namely, brief psychosocial intervention, cognitive behavioural therapy and short-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy on patients, the essential features of adolescent depression, and how the study tackled the conceptions of normativity.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and or impulsivity. First line treatment is medication; however, medication alone may not provide sufficient functional improvement for some patients, or be universally tolerated. A recent surge in research to treat ADHD using non-pharmacological interventions demands a comprehensive, systematic review of the literature. The aim of this review was to examine the evidence base for psychological treatments for ADHD management in adulthood. A systematic search of PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, PubMed, and EMBASE was undertaken until January 2019 for peer-reviewed articles exploring psychological interventions for adults (18 years with no upper limit) diagnosed with ADHD. A total of 53 papers were identified for inclusion. Collectively, 92% of studies (employing various non-pharmacological interventions) found a variant of significant positive effect on either primary or secondary outcomes associated with ADHD. The strongest empirical support derived from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions. In addition, findings indicated support for the effectiveness of Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Neurofeedback. Other types of interventions also demonstrated effectiveness; however, support was limited due to lack of available research and methodological rigor. Psychological interventions should be considered a valid and useful addition to clinical practice. Implications and areas for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metacognition refers to the set of activities which allow persons to have a sense of oneself and of others available to them within the flow of daily experience. These activities range from awareness of discrete aspects of experience to their synthesis into larger, more complex ideas. Following research documenting the existence and influence of metacognitive deficits in schizophrenia, psychotherapeutic frameworks have emerged aiming to improve metacognition in this group. Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) is one such integrative psychotherapy framework. Therapeutic targets and principles of MERIT are intended to be integrative but share common characteristics with psychoanalytical tradition in the treatment of schizophrenia. This paper accordingly explores how psychoanalytic theory can help explain how the effects of MERIT upon metacognition and self-experience in schizophrenia may reflect its effects on repairing the collapse of the boundary/connection between self and the world, mental fragmentation, and the lack of symbolization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychotherapy supervision has now celebrated its first centennial, is poised to move boldly forward into its second century of contribution to psychotherapy education, and seems perfectly positioned to further advance our knowledge about and practice of how to effectively facilitate, influence, and mentor our supervisees. Professional interest in and recognition of psychotherapy supervision appears to be at an all time high, and its value as a potentially alchemical educational event seems increasingly incontrovertible. But if supervision is to maintain and even enhance its substance and significance in 21st century psychotherapy education, what are the matters to which we as supervision practitioners, researchers, and theorists must vigilantly attend and vigorously address? In this special supervision issue of the Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, we would like to examine some of those matters. The topics that are addressed include: competencies, evidence-based practice, and supervising psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, cognitive/behavioral, humanistic/existential, and integrative/eclectic psychotherapies. The binding theme of 'pressing needs and impressing possibilities' will be evident throughout this journal issue. In this introductory paper, I briefly define psychotherapy supervision, consider its beginnings, provide a rationale for this special issue, and identify the specific questions that give focus and frame to each of the succeeding contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of modern mental healthcare standards and services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), has resulted in a gradual shift towards a more positive perspective on mental health issues and related services, and has increased the demand for qualified mental health professionals and psychological interventions (WHO 2016). Despite recent advances in mental healthcare services, psychopharmacology remains the main treatment modality for the majority of mental health issues in KSA. Psychotherapy has had a rather slow developmental trajectory in KSA, and its provision requires an understanding of many specific aspects of Saudi culture (Dubovsky 1983). This paper will shed light on the historical development and current challenges of psychiatric and psychological services and the availability of psychotherapy in KSA. By offering an explication of a selection of local social phenomena, this paper will attempt to explain how unique Saudi cultural constructs and social contexts influence the training, perception, and practice of psychotherapy in the country, outlining existing challenges as well as some expected future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper provides an overview of the history and development of mental health services with special emphasis on psychotherapy in China. Recent epidemiological surveys have revealed high prevalence rates of mental disorders that translate into a huge demand for mental health care. The Chinese government responds to such demand by increasing the number and types of mental health professionals in delivering mental health interventions, one of which is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Due to unique Chinese cultural values, CBT needs to be adapted to these values so as to enhance its acceptability by Chinese people. Furthermore, training and supervision of Chinese therapists require some cultural adaptation in therapist's training and supervision skills. This paper concludes by providing some specific recommendations on improving the quality and accessibility of CBT in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper applies the concept of potentially harmful psychotherapies (PHTs; Lilienfeld, Perspectives on Psychological Science 2(1):53-70, 2007) to concerns about potentially harmful treatments for children and adolescents (PHTCs). I propose that such treatments can be identified by methods derived from the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study and from the NIS-4 study of abuse and neglect, as well as by their plausibility or congruence with established child development theory and research. Five psychological treatments for children and adolescents that have been reported as harmful are examined, using evidence from published materials, journalists' reports, legal documents and Internet sites. Details of treatment and outcomes are compared to relevant ACE and NIS-4 criteria and to plausibility, and empirical support for the treatments is examined. The examined treatments use methods that would be considered adverse childhood experiences or abusive or neglectful care events if they occurred outside a therapeutic setting. Most, but not all, lack empirical support of effectiveness and are incongruent with established information about child development. Risks associated with PHTCs can thus be identified through close examination before children are exposed to them and harmed. Prevention or reduction of PHTC use may be possible. Public and professional education about PHTCs are essential parts of child protection in this context and are arguably an ethical obligation of both social workers and psychologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In a companion paper, we established high levels of psychiatric morbidity in prisoners (Bebbington et al. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 2016). In the current report, we evaluate how this morbidity translates into specific needs for treatment and the consequent implications for services. Mental health treatment needs and the extent to which they had been met were assessed in a representative sample of prisoners in a male and a female prison in London (Pentonville and Holloway).Methods: Prisoners were sampled at random in a sequential procedure based on the Local Inmate Data System. We targeted equal numbers of male remand, male sentenced, female remand, and female sentenced prisoners. Following structured assessment of psychosis, common mental disorders, PTSD, personality disorders and disorders of abuse, we used the MRC Needs for Care Assessment (NFCAS) to establish whether potential needs for care in ten areas of mental health functioning were met, unmet, or incapable of being met by services.Results: Data on treatment experience were provided by 360 inmates. Eighty percent of females and 70% of males had at least one need for treatment. Over half (53.7%) of the needs of female prisoners were met, but only one third (36.5%) in males. Needs for medication were unmet in 32% of cases, while those for psychological treatment were unmet in 51%.Conclusions: Unmet needs for mental health treatment and care were common in the two prisons. This has adverse consequences both for individual prisoners and for the effective functioning of the criminal justice system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migraine causes major health impairment and disability. Psychological interventions offer an addition to pharmacotherapy but they are not currently recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) or available in the National Health Service. We aimed to systematically review evidence on the efficacy of psychological interventions for migraine in adults. A search was done of MEDLINE, psychINFO, , the meta-register of controlled trials and bibliographies. Twenty-four papers were included and rated independently by two people using the Yates scale, which has 35 points. Cochrane recommendations are that high quality reports score above the mid-point (18 points). Methods used in 17/24 papers were rated 'high quality'. However, frequently descriptions of key areas such as randomisation methods were omitted. Eighteen studies measured effects of psychological interventions on headache-related outcomes, fifteen reporting significant improvements, ranging 20-67 %. Interventions also produced improvements in psychological outcomes. Few trials measured or reported improvement in disability or quality of life. We conclude that evidence supports the efficacy of psychological interventions in migraine. Over half of the studies were from the USA, which did not provide universal health care at the time of the study, so it is difficult to generalise results to typical populations in receipt of publically funded health services. We agree with the NICE recommendation that high quality pragmatic randomised controlled trials are needed in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to investigate a key element of the early intervention approach whether treatment at an earlier stage of bipolar disorder is more effective than later in its course. Methods: A comprehensive literature review using Medline, Embase, Psychinfo, PsycArticle, and Web of Science, as data sources, with a subsequent narrative synthesis. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias method. Results: Our search strategy yielded eight primary papers and two meta-analyses (of psychological therapies and Olanzapine) in total representing 8942 patients. Five studies focused on comparisons between first and multiple episodes, and the others on fewer vs more episode categories. There was a consistent finding, suggesting treatment in earlier illness stage resulted in better outcomes in terms of response, relapse rate, time to recurrence, symptomatic recovery, remission, psychosocial functioning, and employment. This effect was found for pharmacological (Lithium, Olanzapine, Divalproex) and psychological treatments. Limitations: There was high risk of selection, performance, and attrition bias in most studies. First admission or presentation is unlikely to equate to first episode, because of the duration of untreated illness. Some patients having experienced multiple episodes could be 'treatment resistant'. Study heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. Conclusions: Psychological and pharmacological treatments in the early stages of illness are more effective than in the later stages of bipolar disorder across multiple domains. There is a first episode and the early phase effect. Consistent with the staging model of illness, findings provide evidence for the clinical utility of an early intervention approach in bipolar disorder to improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatments for women with obesity, depression, and body image concerns are not optimal. Weight loss programs lead to long-term weight gain for most participants, and even successful participants typically sustain only modest weight loss. Psychotherapy for depression is more effective, but as many as 50 % do not fully remit. When depression and obesity co-occur in women, outcomes are even more modest. Innovative treatments are needed to enhance the physical and mental health of obese, depressed women. The goal of the current paper is to describe the development of a treatment that integrates two innovative approaches for mental and physical self-acceptance. The Health at Every Size (HAES) paradigm, used to enhance physical health without encouraging weight loss, causes improvements in physical health among overweight participants that are longer-lasting than weight loss programs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on valued life behaviors and acceptance of painful emotions. ACT is efficacious for depression and as an adjunct to obesity treatment, and may be more effective for treatment-resistant depression than standard approaches. An integrated HAES/ACT treatment, known as Accept Yourself! and its manual is described in this paper, with information about how we adapted HAES and ACT approaches to create the intervention, as well as clinical strategies for implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at presenting the state of the art regarding systemic/family therapy in Greece, in relation to practice, professional and accreditation issues and training. It is argued that systemic/family therapy in Greece constitutes a lively and diverse terrain with roots in the 1960s and a rapid dissemination of the approach following the mid 1980s. The field's development in Greece is out-sketched by means of 'data' collected from a variety of sources, like web sites of associations and training centers, published articles and informal and semi-structured interviews conducted with seminal figures. First, a concise historical overview of the birth of systemic/family therapy is presented in relation to the wider socio-political context and the attempt for the reform of the psychiatric system in Greece during the 1980s. Second, a brief sketch of the existing associations as well as of the contexts where systemic/family therapy is practiced is outlined in relation to issues regarding accreditation and statutory regulations. Third, a non-exhaustive list of currently existing training programs is reviewed in respect of axis, like their content and structure, accreditation issues, entry requirements, etc. The paper concludes with inferences regarding the existing state of the art including future potential directions, whilst hinting to research ventures, which could enrich our understanding of both the history and the potential of the field in the Greek context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from two accounts of psychological change in therapeutic settings, based respectively on the analysis of metaphors (Faccio et al. , this issue) and on transformative moments in self narratives (Ribeiro and Gonçalves , this issue), this paper examines core processes of psychological change. Drawing on sociocultural psychology, the paper first argues that core processes of change in such therapeutic settings take place at the level of the organization of a person's semiotic sets. Second, the paper suggests that such therapeutic frames are likely to provoke changes in other aspects of a person's life as these aim at transforming the persons thinking capacities, and as these have as objects situations external to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PTSD in children and adolescents differs from the adult disease. Therapeutic approaches involve both psychotherapy and psychopharmacotherapy. Objectives: The current paper aims at reviewing studies on psychopharmacological treatment of childhood and adolescent PTSD. Additionally, developmental frameworks for PTSD diagnosis and research along with an experimental model of quenching and kindling in the context of stress exposure are presented. We conducted an extensive literature search of reviews on psychopharmacotherapy as well as studies on psychopharmacological treatment for PTSD among children and adolescents. We used the database PubMed and focused on the time period of the last 10 years up to January 2009. Pertinent earlier papers were also included.There are a limited number of studies specifically assessing the psychopharmacological treatment of PTSD in children and adolescents. The vast majority of them lack verification in RCTs. Only the use of imipramine, divalproex sodium and sertraline were already evaluated in RCTs. Future studies should take into account developmental approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD in children and adolescents. In this context, different underlying neurobiological patterns, which are reflected in distinct clinical symptomatology, require a precise investigation and a symptom-orientated psychopharmacological approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the racial politics that reshaped psychoanalytic psychotherapy and ushered in a community mental health paradigm during the U.S. Civil Rights Era. Policymakers in the 1960s adopted the language of social justice to condemn psychoanalysis for its inability to treat psychotics and its unwillingness to treat black patients; yet the community psychiatry model of treatment that replaced it compounded the denial of the black subject's clinical needs. Challenging the extant historiography that appraises psychoanalysis as a victim of neoliberalism and psychopharmacology, this paper examines how and why Freudian practitioners beat their own retreat from the specter of desegregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]