DIVISION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY: PRACTICE-RESEARCH COLLABORATION

Below are descriptions of research projects related to psychotherapy. Please consider participating by contacting the investigator(s).

NOTE: The Division of Psychotherapy has not reviewed any of these research projects. By listing them here, we are not in any way endorsing the projects.

Sample Research Project

Title: Title of project
Principal Investigator(s): Names
Institutional Affiliation: Name of institution
Description: 2-3 sentence description
Participation Criteria: Characteristics of participants (e.g., age range, therapy experience)
Incentive for Participants: If any
Research Period: from _______ to _______
Contact Information: email and telephone
Website Address for More Details:

RESEARCH PROJECT #3
Title: Corrective relational experiences (CREs) in psychotherapy
Principal Investigator: Sarah Knox, Ph.D. (PI), Shirley A. Hess, Ph.D., Clara E. Hill, Ph.D., Alan W. Burkard, Ph.D., and Rachel Crook-Lyon, Ph.D.
Institutional Affiliation: Knox - Marquette University; Hess - Shippenburg University; Hill - University of Maryland; Burkard - Marquette University; Crook-Lyon - Brigham Young University
Description: We invite therapists or therapists-in-training to participate in a study of corrective relational experiences (CREs) in psychotherapy. We define CREs as specific times in therapy when the client feels a distinct shift, such that s/he comes to understand or experience affectively the relationship with the therapist in a different and unexpected way, and is thereby transformed in some manner. Note that although the entire relationship might be a healing experience, we are most interested in examining specific events in therapy that you consider to be corrective. All information will be kept completely confidential by assigning each participant a code number and deleting any identifiers.
Participation Criteria: Adults (i.e., at least 18 years of age); therapists or therapists-in-training; currently a client in therapy or have previously been a client; have experienced at least one CRE in their current or most recent therapy (terminated no longer than one year ago).
Research Period: from July 2007 to July 2008
Contact Information: Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, School of Education, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881; sarah.knox@marquette.edu; 414/288-5942

RESEARCH PROJECT #2
Title: Clients' perspectives on psychotherapy ending (termination).

Principal Investigator: Sarah Knox, Ph.D. (PI), Shirley A. Hess, Eric Everson, Noah Adrians, Clara E. Hill, Rachel Crook-Lyon

Institutional Affiliations: Knox-Marquette University, Hess-Shippensburg University, Everson and Adrians-Marquette University, Hill-University of Maryland, Crook-Lyon-Brigham Young University

Description: Given the minimal empirical research in this area, most of which captures therapists' perspectives, we want to learn how clients themselves experience termination from psychotherapy. Termination can occur for a variety of reasons in short-term, long-term, and time-limited psychotherapy. In the current study, we are interested in termination that was significant or powerful. For this reason, we have not set any limits on length of therapy or reasons for initiating the termination.

Participation Criteria: Participants must be adults who have been in individual, outpatient psychotherapy. There are no specific criteria regarding the length of the therapy, but participants must have terminated from that therapy within the last three years, and the termination was a significant/powerful experience for participants, whether positive or negative.

Research Period: from May 2008 to May 2009

Contact Information: sarah.knox@marquette.edu; 414/288-5942

Sarah Knox, Ph.D.
Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology
School of Education
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI  53201
414/288-5942
414/288-6100 (fax)

RESEARCH PROJECT #1

Title: Client attachment and goal orientation as predictors of the working alliance in psychotherapy
Principal Investigator(s):Cara Mendelow, Doctoral Candidate and Eric Chen, Ph.D.
Institutional Affiliation:Fordham University, New York City
Description:I would greatly appreciate your assistance in recruiting participants for an IRB approved doctoral dissertation study of client characteristics that influence the processes and outcomes of psychotherapy. Prior to the 1st session, direct new clients to a brief, anonymous online survey about their relationships and goals (10 minutes). Following the 3rd session, direct participants to a brief online survey about their therapy experience (5 minutes). This study focuses on the client's perspective; therefore therapists are not required to complete the surveys. Paper-and-pencil surveys available upon request.
Participation Criteria:English-speaking individuals, 18 years or older, who are about to begin therapy with a new therapist.
Incentive for Participants:For each survey completed, a donation will be made to SHARE, a community-based non-profit organization that provides direct support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancers.
Research Period:from 3/24/07 to 3/24/08
Contact Information:Cara Mendelow at 917-628-8262 or cara.mendelow@verizon.net
Website Address for More Details: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=535183620984