Changes in the Rorschach and MMPI–2 After Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): A Collaborative Assessment Case Study

Abstract

We used before-and-after testing with the Rorschach Inkblot Test (Exner, 1997/2003) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 (Butcher et al., 2001) to assist a psychotherapy client—a survivor of child abuse suffering from depression accompanied by hallucinations—in evaluating a course of electroconvulsive therapy that she underwent. The results of both tests indicated positive changes. During the collaborative discussion of the test results, especially the changes seen on the Rorschach, a deeper understanding of her skeptical response to evidence of improvement came to light and helped to refocus the ongoing psychotherapy work.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Paulette (her name and identifying information have been changed) for her willingness to share her story in disguised form and her courage in life. Thanks to all the following for their help with the development of this paper; Sheldon Robinson, Jeff Sharp, Dave Harris, Dennis John Woodruff, Carole E. King, Robert Dolgoff, and Maggie Dale. Thanks also to the three anonymous reviewers and the editors for their valuable input.

Notes

¹First person in this article denotes P. Keddy unless otherwise indicated.