Monitor on Psychology - October 2011 - (Page 14)

Upfront Psychotherapy is effective and here’s why Psychotherapy works, and the science and research are there to back it up, said Bruce E. Wampold, PhD, at the APA 2011 Annual Convention symposium, “Psychotherapy Effectiveness: What Makes it Work?” Answering just what makes it work is complex, said Wampold, a professor of counseling psychology at the University of Wisconsin– Madison, but relationships and customized treatments play key roles. So what makes a good therapist? According to research presented by Wampold, a good therapist: • Has a sophisticated set of interpersonal skills. • Builds trust, understanding and belief from the client. • Has an alliance with client. • Has an acceptable and adaptive explanation of the client’s condition. • Has a treatment plan and What makes a psychotherapist successful? Among the key traits is a sophisticated set of interpersonal skills, said Dr. Bruce E. Wampold at APA’s 2011 Annual Convention. allows it to be flexible. • Is influential, persuasive not medications, should be applied first. and convincing. So what’s stopping psychotherapy for being the go-to • Monitors patient progress. treatment for nonpsychotic conditions? For one thing, major • Offers hope and optimism (realistic optimism, not pharmaceutical companies heavily market their medications Pollyanna-ish). directly to the public and health professionals, said speaker • Is aware of a client’s characteristics in context. Steven Hollon, PhD. While therapy is getting sharper, more • Is reflective. effective, and more enduring, it is continuing to lose market • Relies on best research evidence. share to medication. • Continually improves through professional development. But it doesn’t have to be this way, said APA officials. There With an effective therapist, science shows that is an increased effort by psychologists and APA to change psychotherapy even works better in the long-term and is more attitudes and make psychotherapy a first-line treatment. With enduring than medication. In fact, not only is it more costevidence-based treatment guidelines under development, and effective, but psychotherapy leads to fewer relapses of anxiety the move for an official statement by APA on psychotherapy’s and mild to moderate depression than medication use alone effectiveness, one day medication may lose its market share to — so much so that Norwegian Health Authorities have issued psychotherapy. new guidelines concerning treatment of mild to moderate depression and anxiety, stating that psychological interventions, —A. BROWNAWELL AND K. KELLEY 14 © JGI/Tom Grill/Blend Images/Corbis MONITOR ON PSYCHOLOGY • OCTOBER 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - October 2011

Monitor on Psychology - October 2011
President’s Column
Subtle and stunning slights
Contents
From the CEO
Live science on the showroom floor
Zimbardo re-examines his landmark study
Ready, set, mentor
Attention students and ECPs: Self-care is an ‘ethical imperative’
Suicide risk is high among war veterans in college, study finds
Psychotherapy is effective and here’s why
From toilet to tap: getting people to drink recycled water
What’s ahead for psychology practice?
A push for more accountability is changing the accreditation process
Peer, parental support prove key to fighting childhood obesity
Popular media’s message to girls
Bullying may contribute to lower test scores
A consequence of cuckoldry: More (and better) sex?
Manatees’ exquisite sense of touch may lead them into dangerous waters
Building a better tomato
How will China’s only children care for their aging parents?
‘Spice’ and ‘K2’: New drugs of abuse now on the market
Many suspects don’t understand their right to remain silent
In Brief
Boosting minority achievement
Where’s the progress?
And social justice for all
Helping new Americans find their way
Segregation’s ongoing legacy
A new way to combat prejudice
Retraining the biased brain
Suppressing the ‘white bears’
How to eat better — mindlessly
Protect your aging brain
Must babies always breed marital discontent?
Outing addiction
Flourish 2051
The danger of stimulants
Keys to making integrated care work
Is technology ruining our kids?
Facebook: Friend or foe?
The promise of Web 3.0
NIMH invests in IT enhanced interventions
Science Directions
Science Directions
PsycAdvocates work to safeguard key programs
The psychology of spending cuts
APA’s strategic plan goes live
Visionary leaders
Bravo!
Vote on bylaws amendments

Monitor on Psychology - October 2011