Teamwork for complex clinical situations in psychotherapy: Introduction to the issue

This in-session issue is focused on psychotherapists involved in and performing teamwork practices. Specifically, five teamwork-based psychotherapy interventions are illustrated as solutions for complex clinical situations drawing from multiple theoretical approaches (narrative, systemic, cognitive behavioral, and integrative) and applied in different health care provision settings, ranging from psychotherapy private office to a multidisciplinary oncological service. The contributions try to cover a diversity of presenting problems: separating couples, gang involvement, schizophrenia, cancer and suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder; and formats of delivery such as couple therapy supervision, family therapy, multidisciplinary team formulation and interprofessional health psychology. Three main shared coordinates underlie the diversity of interventions: (1) Considering that psychotherapy is just a piece of a broader network of interactions and meanings generated around a given problem/solution and, thus, it is part of an ecology of ideas (ecological dimension), (2) Assuming interdependence and collaboration as the best strategies to interact with professionals and significant others involved with a given problem or solution (collaborative dimension), and (3) fostering a strengths-based case formulation (epistemological dimension). The issue aims at enriching practitioners' toolbox willing to incorporate team-based interventions as part of their range of professional competences.

The interplay between therapeutic relationship and therapeutic technique: "It takes two to tango"

The idea that the therapeutic relationship is at the core of psychotherapy is shared by most therapeutic approaches. Also, an increasing variety of therapeutic approaches, consider experiential techniques as central tools to promote effective therapeutic change. Commonly, it is argued that the creation of a positive, empathic, safe, and solid therapeutic alliance should be a prerequisite for administering these techniques. However, recent evidence is beginning to challenge this cautious stance showing that the introduction of experiential work early in therapy can be safe and effective. So, the quality of the therapeutic relationship may either facilitate or hinder the use of experiential techniques, but the use of these techniques may also strengthen or cause ruptures in the therapeutic alliance. So how do we balance the attention to the therapeutic relationship and the use of active, emotionally arousing techniques? In this paper, we present an issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session exploring the complex interplay between therapeutic relationship and experiential practices in light of different psychotherapeutic approaches. We do so by first providing an initial overview of the topic. Next, we introduce the five papers of the issue along with some thoughts on how authors from diverse psychotherapeutic orientations contributed to illustrate and reflect on this multifaceted "dance" between therapeutic relationship and techniques.

Never underestimate fears, blocks, and resistances: The interplay between experiential practices, self-conscious emotions, and the therapeutic relationship in compassion focused therapy

Experiential practices are a core component of compassion focused therapy (CFT). Throughout the treatment process, the client's engagement with these practices may become blocked, resulting in a rupture in the therapeutic relationship. In these instances, the interplay between these experiential practices and the therapeutic relationship becomes an essential focus of therapy to repair the rupture, re-engage the client in the therapeutic process, and proceed with the CFT treatment plan. This paper presents the case of a man diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, with the presence of shame-based self-criticism, treated via 12 sessions of CFT. CFT was proceeding well until certain embodiment practices and chair work were introduced, at which point the client refused to continue and became disengaged in the session. The process of repair and re-engagement will be discussed from the perspective of this interplay between experiential exercises and therapeutic relationships. Implications for CFT practice and clinical recommendations will be provided.

Therapy from my point of view: A case illustration of routine outcome monitoring and feedback in psychotherapeutic interventions

Lately, the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) to adapt and improve ongoing psychotherapeutic treatments has become more widespread. Their main purpose is to support data-informed, collaborative treatment decisions which include the patient's point of view on their progress. In case of nonresponse or deterioration, these systems are able to warn clinicians and guide the process "back on track" in treatment. In this case illustration, the Greifswald Psychotherapy Navigator System (GPNS) detected the deterioration of 19-year-old Sarah during the first eight sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety and depression. Here, the GPNS helped the therapist gain insight as to how Sarah's social anxiety affected their treatment and adjust her strategy accordingly. Using the symptom curves and progress scales of the GPNS, the therapist was able to then address her patient's struggles in detail during their sessions and with her supervisor. After adapting her therapeutic approach, the patient's deterioration could be averted while simultaneously strengthening their communication in the process. Clinical implications and the benefits of using PROM systems for evidence-based personalization of psychotherapy are presented.

Beyond perfect? A case illustration of working with perfectionism using cognitive behavior therapy

Perfectionism can result in negative consequences for those who set unattainable goals and repeatedly strive to achieve high standards. Relying on inflexible behaviors and building one's self‐worth around success can become problematic and affect performance, interpersonal relationships, and cause mental distress. In the current case illustration, perfectionism's negative implications are depicted through a client named Sara, a stressed‐out junior physician who just graduated from medical school. Struggling with issues related to self‐worth, depression, worry, independence, and interpersonal difficulties, Sara underwent cognitive behavior therapy during 15 sessions. The case illustration shows how an individualized conceptualization of perfectionism can be made and what is important to target in treatment, such as preventing the need for repeated checking, conducting surveys to refute dysfunctional beliefs, and introducing activities that are unrelated to accomplishments. Current research on the efficacy of treating perfectionism is also summarized and interventions particularly relevant for clinical practice are presented.