OBJECTIVE: This article focuses on utilizing therapeutic letters within group schema therapy-an innovative therapeutic approach that integrates elements from various therapeutic disciplines. The primary aim is to explore how therapeutic letters can enhance the therapeutic process and support the treatment of patients. METHODS: To achieve this objective, we conducted a narrative literature review centred on schema therapy and using therapeutic letters as a therapeutic strategy. We systematically searched databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar) using the keywords "schema therapy," "therapy letters," "group," "therapeutic strategies," and "adult psychotherapy." Additionally, we gathered clinical insights from schema therapists through interviews to gain a practical perspective. RESULTS: Group schema therapy primarily targets identifying and modifying early maladaptive schemas and maladaptive schema modes that originate during childhood and persist into adulthood. Within this context, therapeutic letters are an effective tool, allowing individuals to process intense emotions stemming from their formative years. Individuals complete these letters as homework assignments and then, divided into small groups, read them aloud while receiving emotional support and encouragement from their peers. This process enables individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings, potentially reframe their life narratives, seek forgiveness, and ultimately progress. Various types of therapeutic letters are discussed, including the "uncensored letter", "letter from the other shore", "letter to an adult child", "business card", and "letter from the future". DISCUSSION: The article provides an in-depth overview of the techniques and exercises employed in group schema work when using letters. It also addresses potential challenges, such as difficulties with visualization, resistance to change, and trust issues. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic letters emerge as a valuable tool in group schema therapy, enhancing the therapeutic process and supporting individual treatment. However, further research is necessary to comprehend and fully maximize their potential.
This article describes using imagery approaches during group schema therapy (GST). Imagery approaches are an important tool for identifying and changing maladaptive schema modes and early maladaptive schemas. It summarises the theoretical background of the group imagery method and practical case vignettes. The text describes methods for using imagery in therapeutic groups, building a safe place, imagery rescribing painful experiences, and dialogue between schema modes. It also stresses challenging matters, like problems with imagery, difficulties trusting another person, and resistance to change. Using imagery in GST is a powerful approach to increase patient results during the therapy.
- MeSH
- imaginativní postupy v psychoterapii * metody MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- skupinová psychoterapie * metody MeSH
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- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Drift is a phenomenon that can occur in cognitive-behavioral supervision, where core components of supervision are omitted, avoided, or deprioritized. This narrative review explores the signs, reasons, and impact of supervisory drift at the experiential, cognitive, and emotional levels for both the supervisor and the supervisee. Additionally, the article presents potential solutions for preventing and addressing supervisory drift, such as staying on track, anticipating problems before they arise, adapting supervision to the supervisee's needs, using active supervision methods to understand drift better, engaging in Supervision of Supervision (SoS), and using alliance measures. Through the use of case vignettes, we illustrate the potential solutions. We aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of supervisory drift and offer practical strategies for its prevention and management.
- MeSH
- kognitivně behaviorální terapie * organizace a řízení MeSH
- lidé MeSH
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- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
BACKGROUND: Ethics is an inherent part of psychotherapy that protects the interests and rights of all parties engaged in the therapeutic relationship. This article focuses on ethical issues and dilemmas that may arise when using schema therapy. METHOD: We created a narrative review by searching the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus with the keywords "psychotherapy", "schema therapy", "therapeutic relationship", "ethics", "ethical questions", and "ethical dilemmas". In addition, we focused on the clinical experience of therapists, training instructors, and supervisors. RESULTS: Ethical psychotherapy requires adherence to ethical codes and standards. Among the most important ethical principles are confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries of the therapeutic relationship, and dual relationships. Understanding transference, countertransference, and one's modes and schemas is essential to ethical reflection in schema therapy. The article presents examples of ethical dilemmas in schema therapy and suggests possible solutions. At the same time, we point out the need for further research in this field. CONCLUSION: Similarly to other psychotherapeutic approaches, one of the schema therapist's core competencies is following the profession's ethical principles and productively finding solutions to the occasional ethical dilemmas. Ethics is a prominent part of all psychotherapeutic sessions. Still, it becomes even more central when working with challenging issues such as personality disorders that schema therapy routinely treats. More research on the topic is needed.
- MeSH
- důvěrnost informací etika MeSH
- informovaný souhlas pacienta etika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- psychoterapie * etika MeSH
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- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
AIM: The paper describes the characteristics of relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (R-OCD), including the types of obsessions and compulsions, the common triggers and the impact on psychological well-being and relationship functioning. It also offers basic cognitive-behavioural strategies to help patients change their attitudes towards obsessive thoughts and reduce compulsive behaviours. METHODS: This article is a narrative review of the literature and case studies on R-OCD. To search for relevant sources, we used PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases with the keywords "relationship obsessive compulsive disorder", "R-OCD", "relationship OCD" and "partner-focused OCD". We included only studies published in English from January 1990 to June 2023. The paper provides examples of how basic cognitive-behavioural strategies help individuals with R-OCD. RESULTS: People with R-OCD experience intrusive thoughts about whether they have the right feelings for their partner, whether their partner loves them, whether the relationship is suitable or whether their partner has flaws. These thoughts trigger the urge to perform various rituals to alleviate anxiety, such as repeated checking, reassurance or comparison. However, this behaviour leads to disruption of the relationship and long-term maintenance of the anxiety. Examples of basic cognitive-behavioural strategies can be applied in clinical practice to help individuals change their attitudes towards relational obsessive thoughts and reduce compulsive behaviours.
The purpose of supervision is to ensure that clients' needs are met and to monitor the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and the therapeutic relationship. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) supervision is the systematic cooperation of the supervisee with the supervisor, which aims at increasing the therapists' competencies when working with specific clients. The advantage of supervision is the possibility to shape and develop the therapist's practical skills through specific techniques. This paper aims to review currently available CBT supervision strategies that boost the development of therapists' skills and provide possible examples. Various techniques are discussed, including behavioural, cognitive, imagery and psychodrama methods that facilitate supervisors in enhancing therapists' skills. In addition, complementary approaches are discussed, such as role-playing, modelling, chaining, or imitation to present at a particular moment of the therapy, increase the insight into the client's perspective or the treatment itself, and search for an alternative approach to improve the therapeutic outcomes for the client. Overall, the article describes the supervisor's need to have a flexible variety of skills and know which learning methods might be most effective for boosting the supervisee's skill level and needs with a particular client.
- MeSH
- behaviorální terapie * výchova MeSH
- klinické kompetence * MeSH
- kognitivně behaviorální terapie * metody MeSH
- lidé MeSH
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- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Vztahová obsedantně kompulzivní porucha (R-OCD) je subtyp obsedantně-kompulzivní poruchy (OCD), který se projevuje neustálými pochybnostmi a úzkostmi týkajícími se intimního vztahu. Myšlení lidí s R-OCD je zaujato vtíravými myšlenkami, jejichž obsahem jsou pochybnosti, zda pocity, které chovají k partnerovi, jsou správné, zda je partner miluje, zda je vztah vhodný nebo zda má partner nějaké nedostatky. Tyto myšlenky vyvolávají nutkání k provádění rituálů v podobě opakovaných kontrol, ujišťování nebo porovnávání. Rituály vedou ke snížení úzkosti a napětí. Toto chování však vede k narušení vztahu a dlouhodobému udržování úzkosti. Článek popisuje charakteristiky R-OCD a nabízí základní strategie kognitivně behaviorální terapie (KBT), která pomáhá pacientům změnit svůj vztah k obsedantním myšlenkám a snížit nutkavé chování.
Relationship obsessive compulsive disorder (R-OCD) is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that manifests in constant doubts and anxieties about an intimate relationship. People with R-OCD suffer from intrusive thoughts about whether they have the right feelings for their partner, whether their partner loves them, whether the relationship is suitable or whether their partner has any flaws. These thoughts trigger the urge to perform various rituals to alleviate anxiety, such as repeated checking, reassurance or comparison. However, this behaviour leads to disruption of the relationship and long-term maintenance of the anxiety. This paper described characteristics of R-OCD and offers basic cognitive-behavioural strategies that help the patients to change their attitude towards the obsessive thoughts and reduce compulsive behaviour.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- interpersonální vztahy * MeSH
- kognitivně behaviorální terapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- obsedantně kompulzivní porucha * patologie psychologie terapie MeSH
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- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- kazuistiky MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
This article emphasizes the critical role of self-care in the professional lives of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) therapists and supervisors. It delves into the importance of self-care, elucidating its significance in maintaining therapists' mental health and effectiveness. The article presents a range of practical strategies that promote self-care, providing therapists and supervisors with specific steps to incorporate self-care into their daily routines. Moreover, the article explores common challenges and barriers to self-care, such as a lack of time, feelings of guilt associated with prioritizing one's needs, and a lack of available resources for self-care. The article aims to deepen our understanding of the complexities of practising self-care by shedding light on possible obstacles. In addition, the article includes case vignettes that demonstrate tangible examples of the positive impact of self-care on therapists' mental health and effectiveness. The overarching goal of this article is to encourage ongoing discussion and research on self-care. It advocates a greater emphasis on self-care in CBT and CBT supervision (CBTS), intending to promote the health and well-being of those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. The insights and strategies presented in this article serve as a resource for therapists and supervisors striving to achieve a balanced lifestyle while effectively catering to the needs of their clients.
- MeSH
- duševní zdraví MeSH
- emoce MeSH
- kognitivně behaviorální terapie * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- péče o sebe * MeSH
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- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
