Extending the Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Scale: Commentary on the special issue

Abstract

The Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Scale (APES) describes a developmental sequence through which problematic experiences pass on their way to being assimilated in successful psychotherapy. This commentary suggests that the four studies reported in this special issue of Counselling Psychology Quarterly have extended the APES by applying it to new topics and by confronting the puzzle of irregular progression in what is hypothesized to be a fixed sequence of stages.

Keywords:

• assimilation model
• Assimilation of Problematic Experiences Scale
• stage theories
• case study