Development and validation of a system of assimilation indices: A mixed method approach to understand change in psychotherapy

Clinical Demonstration of the Potential of Parental Feedback in Reducing Deterioration During Group Psychotherapy With Children

In recent years, great efforts have been exerted to minimize the rates of deterioration in clinical practice, especially in child psychotherapy. The present study explored the potential effect of routine outcome monitoring (ROM) with parents as a preventive intervention to reduce deterioration in children. Twenty-five children receiving treatment for emotional problems were randomized to parent-based, ROM-assisted group psychotherapy or to treatment as usual (TAU). A mixed-methods approach was utilized, with the number of deteriorating cases compared at the group level and two case illustrations assessed at the individual level. At the group level, there were fewer cases of deterioration in child's anxiety, parental stress, and quality of parent's alliance in the ROM-assisted group, compared with TAU. Case studies illustrated how ROM can be used as a tool to communicate with parents to prevent deterioration. Routine outcome monitoring in child psychotherapy may thus benefit therapy process and outcome. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Mixed methods in psychotherapy research: A review of method(ology) integration in psychotherapy science

OBJECTIVE

Mixed methods can foster depth and breadth in psychological research. However, its use remains in development in psychotherapy research. Our purpose was to review the use of mixed methods in psychotherapy research.

METHOD

Thirty-one studies were identified via the PRISMA systematic review method. Using Creswell & Plano Clark's typologies to identify design characteristics, we assessed each study for rigor and how each used mixed methods.

RESULTS

Key features of mixed methods designs and these common patterns were identified: (a) integration of clients' perceptions via mixing; (b) understanding group psychotherapy; (c) integrating methods with cases and small samples; (d) analyzing clinical data as qualitative data; and (e) exploring cultural identities in psychotherapy through mixed methods.

CONCLUSION

The review is discussed with respect to the value of integrating multiple data in single studies to enhance psychotherapy research.