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Psychotherapists' ideals in the treatment of panic disorder: An exploratory study
Author(s) -
Kealy David,
Goodman Geoff,
Ogrodniczuk John S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1002/capr.12125
Subject(s) - panic disorder , psychotherapist , psychology , panic , psychodynamics , intervention (counseling) , clinical psychology , exploratory research , psychiatry , anxiety , sociology , anthropology
Background Considerable empirical research supports psychotherapy as an effective intervention for panic disorder. Less evidence is available regarding clinicians' perspectives on the ideal therapy processes that should be prioritized when treating panic disorder. Aims The purpose of this study was to explore psychotherapists' process priorities and points of consensus and disagreement concerning the treatment of panic disorder. Material & Methods Thirty‐four psychotherapists reviewed a prototype description of a hypothetical client with panic disorder, and rank‐ordered ideal process features using a forced‐choice, 100‐item measure. The resulting composite therapy process was compared with expert‐rated CBT and psychodynamic process ratings. Results Several points of agreement and disagreement emerged regarding ideal therapy process for panic disorder. Overall, therapists' ratings were closely aligned with CBT process, though therapy relationship ideals were prominent. Discussion Research can illuminate therapy processes valued by clinicians for the treatment of particular disorders. Conclusion While therapists' ratings were overall associated with CBT ideals, common factors concerning the therapy relationship emerged as prominent and agreed‐upon processes in the treatment of panic disorder.