Premium
Novel four‐session treatment intervention for anxiety and high‐functioning autism: A single case report for Externalizing Metaphors Therapy
Author(s) -
McGuinty Everett F.,
Bird Brian M.,
Nelson John,
McGuinty Jazlyn L.,
Cashin Andrew
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.331
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6171
pISSN - 1073-6077
DOI - 10.1111/jcap.12213
Subject(s) - autism , anxiety , intervention (counseling) , psychology , psychological intervention , clinical psychology , mental health , session (web analytics) , psychotherapist , externalization , narrative therapy , narrative , psychiatry , linguistics , philosophy , world wide web , computer science , psychoanalysis
Topic The Brief Services psychotherapy paradigm has evolved to produce cost‐effective and clinically significant outcomes in children's mental health. Though its clinical evaluation is still in its infancy, it has been utilized to a much lesser degree with autism spectrum disorders, which typically require a longer‐term approach to psychotherapy treatment. Purpose The current paper introduces a novel, four‐session intervention that aims to decrease anxiety experienced by clients presenting with high‐functioning autism. Externalizing Metaphors Therapy is based upon the externalization of problems, transformation of metaphoric imagery, shifting of maladaptive emotional schemas, and the generalization of problems. A case study is utilized to visually aid in the understanding of this new treatment intervention. Source A composite literature review was conducted with regards to significant works in Narrative Therapy, treatment interventions for anxiety and high functioning autism, evidence‐based treatments for anxiety, and practice based approaches in psychotherapy. Works were selected based on their relevance to the research filed of anxiety and autism. Conclusions This clinical research challenges the children's mental health field in addressing anxiety and high‐functioning autism from a brief framework. Further clinical research is needed to clinically evaluate the current model.