Do Things Change in Therapy That Are Not Measured By Self-report Instruments?

This study investigates a new way of assessing change in psychotherapy, with the goal of decreasing the schism in the field of psychology between research and clinical practice. Change in psychotherapy was assessed in clients presenting with depressive symptoms who were seeking therapy at the Professional Psychology Center (PPC) at the University of Denver. Prior to beginning treatment, the subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory- II (BDI-II) and the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90), and were also assessed by independent clinicians using the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure II (SWAP-II). Six to nine months later, after completing at least 12 psychotherapy sessions (range 12-21 sessions), the assessment procedure was repeated.There were no significant differences pre- to post-treatment on any measure. However, two subjects in the sample appeared to benefit from treatment, as assessed by both the self-report measures and the SWAP-II. The findings for these two subjects suggest that the SWAP-II can provide a greater depth of understanding about what can change in therapy than self-report measures alone. Possible reasons for the lack of treatment effects in the larger sample are discussed.

A Return to Little Things: Stories on Motherhood and Mistakes

A Return to Little Things includes three nonfiction pieces that revolve around the mistakes made by mothers and daughters. The collection investigates the idea that our lives are a sum total of the choices we have made. The essays directly address three specific situations that touch on the themes of motherhood, choices, and the human inclination to recall them with bitterness, and offer proof that time often allows us to move forward to forgiveness. Using humor and acceptance, the narrator is led through a labyrinth of emotions to come to peace with these choices. The stories serve as reminders that there are no mistakes, only lessons, and we must seek to understand them to live happy lives. This manuscript is a work in progress.