Topic-focused analysis of verbal interaction in a case of integrative therapy with a young woman presenting with symptoms of depression

ABSTRACT

It is increasingly recognised that single-case analysis makes a valuable contribution to the evidence base for psychotherapy, alongside other methodologies. Such analyses make it possible to investigate the unfolding process of change in therapy, and develop an understanding of change factors that contribute to outcome. One of the key challenges for the psychotherapy research community is to develop methods for descriptive single-case analysis that are simple to apply, and allow comparison across cases collected in different contexts. Topic Change Process Analysis represents a practice-relevant framework that is descriptive, flexible and widely applicable. The present paper presents an analysis of brief integrative/eclectic therapy received by a young woman struggling to come to terms with emotional instability and depressive episodes. Analysis of topic areas, topic shifts, response patterns within topics and changes in perspective makes it possible to identify key processes which resulted in a positive outcome for this client. The implications of these findings for practice, and future research, are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Qualitative methods
• Trauma
• case study
• descriptive psychology
• topic analysis

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Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Sissel Reichelt, professor in clinical psychology at the University of Oslo. She has a diploma in clinical psychology, and has been working with clients as well as teaching and doing research. Her main research areas have been studies of family therapy with families with special problems, and of the supervisory process.

Jan Skjerve, professor emeritus in clinical child psychology and former head of the Outpatient Clinic for Children, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen. He has a diploma in clinical psychology and his main research interests have been studies of behaviour therapy with children and mentally retarded persons, and of clinical supervision.

John McLeod has taught counselling at various universities in the UK, and is currently Professor 2 in Psychology at the University of Oslo in Norway. He has published widely on all aspects of therapy research and practice, and believes passionately in the potential of research to contribute to the enhancement of services that are offered to clients.