Interpersonal stance and dialogue in psychotherapy for schizophrenia: A supervisory approach

Abstract

Emerging integrative psychotherapy approaches for schizophrenia have received increased attention and support, but little has been published exploring concepts and challenges pertinent to the supervision and training of clinicians working within an integrative psychotherapy framework with persons with schizophrenia. In this article, one general concept related to intersubjectivity, referred to as the development of an open interpersonal psychotherapist stance, is explored within the context of supervision. General considerations for supervision are offered regarding the development of an open interpersonal stance, and strategies for addressing four prototypical non-open stances in which dialogue may be disrupted are delineated.

Keywords::

• Psychotherapy
• psychosis
• metacognition
• parallel process
• supervisory relationship

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jay A. Hamm

Dr. Jay A. Hamm is a clinical psychologist who provides and supervises recovery-oriented psychotherapy for persons with schizophrenia at Midtown Community Mental Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Hamm has clinical interests in serious mental illness, recovery-oriented psychotherapy, and metacognition. He has published a number of articles and book chapters on the topics of metacognition, phenomenology of schizophrenia, and psychotherapy.

Kelly D. Buck

Kelly D. Buck is an advanced practice nurse at the Roudebush VAMC where she works with people with serious mental illness, providing individual psychotherapy and prescribing medications. She has more than 50 peer reviewed publications, most of which are devoted to working with people with schizophrenia.

Jenifer Vohs

Jenifer Vohs is a clinical psychologist at an Indiana state operated psychiatric facility and an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. She is an author on more than 35 peer reviewed publications and has strong interests in both research and intervention strategies for severe mental illness.

Roland J. Westerlund

Roland J. Westerlund is a clinical psychologist at the University Hospital of Copenhagen, Hvidovre Mental Health Centre. He is a specialist in psychiatry and has a particular interest in psychotherapy for people experiencing psychosis, especially young adults in the early phases of their disorder. His clinical work includes teaching and training other professionals.

Paul H. Lysaker

Paul H. Lysaker is a clinical psychologist at the Roudebush VAMC and a professor of clinical psychology at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. He is the author of more than 350 peer reviewed publications, with long standing research interests in the applications of psychotherapy for adults with psychosis.