The field of psychological therapies is constantly evolving, with new research providing valuable insights that can help practitioners enhance their skills and deliver more effective treatments. One such resource is the research article titled "Editorial: Insights in Psychological Therapies: 2021" by Terao and Kumari, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry. This article highlights several key therapies that have shown promising results in addressing various mental health issues. Here, we will explore some of these therapies and discuss how practitioners can implement these findings to improve their practice.
Metacognitive Therapy
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) focuses on metacognition, which is the awareness or analysis of one's own thinking processes. Unlike traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which targets the content of thoughts, MCT aims to change the way individuals think about their thoughts. De Dominicis et al. applied MCT to individuals suffering from chronic work-related stress, resulting in significant improvements in mental health, perceived stress, and maladaptive coping strategies.
How to Implement MCT
Practitioners can incorporate MCT into their practice by:
- Challenging clients' positive and negative metacognitive beliefs through Socratic dialogue.
- Using behavioral experiments to provide clients with alternative responses to their cognitive-attentional syndrome (CAS).
- Focusing on reducing meta-worry and changing meta-beliefs permanently.
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is particularly effective for patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Steuwe et al. found that NET led to higher remission rates for PTSD compared to dialectical behavior therapy-based treatment (DBT-bt).
How to Implement NET
To integrate NET into practice, therapists should:
- Combine highly emotional trauma memories with correct situational and temporal contextual information.
- Promote a coherent autobiographical memory associated with sensory, affective, and cognitive features of the experience.
- Focus on patients who have experienced multiple traumatic events.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
While DBT is effective for BPD, it may not be sufficient for PTSD symptomatology in patients with BPD and PTSD. Practitioners should consider this when treating patients with comorbid conditions.
How to Implement DBT
DBT can be enhanced by:
- Incorporating elements of NET for patients with PTSD.
- Focusing on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Using mindfulness techniques to help patients stay grounded.
Psychodrama
Psychodrama utilizes elements of theater, role-play, and group dynamics to help individuals act out their problems. Lim et al. found that psychodrama has a rich history in research but requires more transparency in implementation.
How to Implement Psychodrama
Practitioners can use psychodrama by:
- Incorporating role-play and group dynamics into therapy sessions.
- Encouraging clients to act out their problems rather than just talking about them.
- Using document co-citation analysis (DCA) to inform and improve their psychodramatic programs.
Existential Interventions
Existential therapies address concerns such as death, meaninglessness, isolation, and freedom. Terao and Satoh reviewed various existential psychotherapies and found that many emphasize finding or making meaning in life.
How to Implement Existential Interventions
To incorporate existential interventions, therapists should:
- Focus on helping clients find or create meaning in their lives.
- Use techniques like meaning-centered group psychotherapy (MCGP) and individual meaning-centered psychotherapy (IMCP).
- Address existential or spiritual well-being as part of the therapeutic process.
By implementing these insights from the latest research, practitioners can enhance their therapeutic approaches and provide more effective treatments for their clients. The evolving field of psychological therapies offers numerous opportunities for growth and development, and staying informed through continuous research is essential for any dedicated practitioner. To read the original research paper, please follow this link:
Editorial: Insights in Psychological Therapies: 2021.
