Humanistic and Integrative Therapies for Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

The research described in this article involved a naturalistic, nonrandomized evaluation of transactional analysis and gestalt psychotherapies, integrative counseling psychology, and person-centered counseling within a medium-term, community-based service. Routine outcome evaluation used standardized measures to assess treatment outcomes and the working alliance. Adherence to the model was evaluated in clinical supervision. The outcomes showed that clients who engaged in treatment made statistically significant improvements and that transactional analysis and gestalt psychotherapies, integrative counseling psychology, and person-centered counseling can be used effectively in treatment of anxiety and depression within a community setting. Clients had a choice about the duration of therapy and used different numbers of sessions within the framework of the service. They were also able to change therapists. Both choices had clinical implications in terms of attrition and outcomes and require further research.

• transactional analysis psychotherapy
• gestalt psychotherapy
• person-centered counseling
• routine outcome evaluation
• integrative counseling psychology
• research clinic

Notes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ciara Wild

Author Biographies

Biljana van Rijn, D.Psych., is head of clinical and research services at Metanoia Institute in London, where she has developed a research clinic. A Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy), she tutors at Metanoia Institute and works as a psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice. She can be reached at Metanoia Institute, 13 North Common Road, London W5 2QB, United Kingdom; email: [email protected].

Ciara Wild, MSc (forensic psychology), is a researcher and clinic administrator at Metanoia Institute in London. She can be reached at Metanoia Institute, 13 North Common Road, London W5 2QB, United Kingdom; email: [email protected].