You know the truth. And you know that deep intimacy and self-esteem are impossible without it.

So how did the occasional little white lie become a habit, a strategy?

More importantly, how do you turn it around? How do you stop habitually lying, regain your sense of self-worth, and return to a life of trusting, secure relationships?

The first step in recovery is to understand your lying. To get to the bottom of why you do it.

Why are you addicted to lying?

Compulsive lying usually starts during childhood. Often as a way of coping with difficult feelings of shame or anxiety, and in response to growing up in an emotionally unsafe environment, where certain thoughts and feelings are considered wrong."

Adam Szmerling

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
Bachelor of Applied Social Science
Master of Social Work

Eventually the lying becomes an attempt to avoid difficulties.

You may even believe, deep down, that your true self is flawed and not good enough. That you need to lie to win the acceptance and approval of people you value.

Or you may lie in order to carve out a certain kind of perceived psychological space between yourself and your partner. This often happens when people feel smothered or controlled.

Over time, the lying becomes addictive. A habit. It feels more comfortable and more normal than telling the truth.

Unfortunately, without treatment, it can last a lifetime.

Why is compulsive lying a problem?

While lying may have seemed to make life easier in the past, you’ve probably already realised it can have a significant negative impact on your work, loved ones, friends and colleagues. Even on strangers! It can ruin your career and destroy relationships.

Deep intimacy requires trust. Friendships require trust. Fruitful working relationships require trust. Without trust, everything you say is called into question and every important person in your life feels constantly betrayed, and unclear about your real intentions, thoughts and feelings.

Just as importantly, your lying habit may also be preventing you from getting what you need from your relationships. Instead of expressing what you want and addressing issues, many people who habitually lie are also chronic people-pleasers who bury resentment. Their partners, friends and colleagues don’t even know they’re unhappy, so there’s virtually no chance of improvement.

Additionally, some evidence indicates that lying creates personal distress, even when you “get away with it”. For example, it can make it difficult for you to have empathy and connect with other people.

Plus there’s the constant anxiety about getting caught in a lie. The pressure to remember your lies, and the snowball effect of covering up lies with more lies. This leads you to feel guilty, fake, worthless and powerless to change.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

How can you stop?

You can stop compulsively lying. The first, very courageous step, is admitting that you have a lying problem. The second step is getting help from an expert.

Compulsive lying therapy (also known as ‘pathological liar treatment’) can overcome habitual lying. Depending on your personality, preferences and circumstances, this treatment might involve online psychotherapy, counselling, couples counselling or hypnotherapy.

All these compulsive lying therapies are designed to help you identify and address the underlying causes of your lying addiction, not just the symptoms. They involve deep, honest self-enquiry, which leads to a transformation of the inner conflicts that give rise to excessive lying in the first place.

As you begin to overcome the causes and resultant habits of compulsive or pathological lying, you may notice an improvement in your relationships and a significant increase in your self-confidence. Not the fake kind of confidence that lying temporarily provides, but an authentic, deep-seated feeling of self-worth.

In other words, you can start to live a more satisfying, fulfilling and authentic life.

What’s involved in compulsive lying therapy?

We treat compulsive lying with online counselling, psychotherapy or virtual hypnotherapy, via Doxy, Skype or Zoom.

Our methods are completely non-judgmental. It’s a safe, supportive, accepting environment, and we don’t force you to endure excessive guilt or embarrassment. It’s not something you should feel ashamed of, or try to hide. It’s merely something that needs treatment from someone who can provide an objective and informed perspective, but who also has empathy for the legitimate difficulties a lying addiction involves.

During your first session, you’ll be able to discuss your problem in confidence, ask any questions, and decide if your psychotherapist is the right fit for you. This initial session will give us an insight into the issues involved in your pathological lying, and help us understand what you want to achieve.

After the first session, we’ll begin tailoring a treatment plan to your individual needs. It’s possible we may be able to manage your patterns by changing your habitual thoughts and responses, through hypnotherapy, but usually longer term treatment involving psychoanalytic psychotherapy is required. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is an insight-oriented, intensive treatment that requires an honest commitment from you to address issues, but it is very effective for resolving the underlying causes of compulsive (pathological) lying.

That doesn’t mean psychoanalytic psychotherapy, alone, is always the answer to chronic lying. Every case is different. Yours may require a combination of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and proven natural treatments like Buddhist psychotherapy, mindfulness therapy and attachment therapy. Our counsellors are qualified in a range of counselling approaches and treatment techniques, so they’re able to tailor a plan to your specific needs and preferences, rather than trying to force an approach that doesn’t quite work for you.

How long will treatment take?

For some people, treatment starts working within the first few sessions. However almost every compulsive liar requires longer-term psychotherapy for meaningful results. Although you may begin to experience change quite quickly, our treatment is not a quick-fix or band-aid solution.

We’re committed to helping you but you need to be committed too. Your progress relies, fundamentally, on your willingness to participate in therapy.

Questions?

Call Bayside Psychotherapy on (03) 9557 9113 or send us an email to find out if we can help you let go of habitual lying. It’s free, completely confidential, and there’s absolutely no obligation.

Book a confidential online therapy session today

As long as you have a private space, you can benefit from online sessions, anywhere, without having to travel or worry about parking. If you’re ready to participate in treatment for lying, you can book an initial session by calling 03 9557 9113 or booking online.

Don’t give up hope. Things may seem pretty bad, right now but, rest assured, your partner does know the truth. And they know that deep intimacy and self-esteem are impossible without it.

More importantly, they can stop their compulsive lying, regain their sense of self-worth, and return to a life of trusting, secure relationships.

The first step in recovery is to understand their lying. To get to the bottom of why they do it.

Why are they addicted to lying?

Compulsive lying usually starts during childhood. Often as a way of coping with difficult feelings of shame or anxiety, and in response to growing up in an emotionally unsafe environment, where certain thoughts and feelings are considered wrong.

Adam Szmerling

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
Bachelor of Applied Social Science
Master of Social Work

Eventually the lying becomes an attempt to avoid difficulties.

They may even believe, deep down, that their true self is flawed and not good enough. That they need to lie to win your acceptance and approval.

Over time, the lying becomes addictive. A habit. It feels more comfortable and more normal than telling the truth.

Unfortunately, without treatment, it can last a lifetime.

Why is compulsive lying a problem?

You already know the hurt and trust issues caused by a partner who lies compulsively. But – serious as that is – it’s just the tip of the iceberg. If they’re lying to you, they’re probably lying to everyone else too, and this can have a significant negative impact on all their other relationships, and on their work and career.

Deep intimacy requires trust. Friendships require trust. Fruitful working relationships require trust. Without trust, everything they say is called into question and every important person in their life feels constantly betrayed, and unclear about their real intentions, thoughts and feelings.

Just as importantly, some evidence suggests that lying may be causing your partner personal distress, even when they “get away with it”. For example, it can make it difficult for them to have empathy and connect with other people.

Plus there’s the constant anxiety about getting caught in a lie. The pressure to remember their lies, and to manage the snowball effect of covering up lies with more lies. This leads them to feel guilty, fake, worthless and powerless to change.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Getting help for your partner’s compulsive lying

Compulsive lying therapy (also known as ‘pathological liar treatment’) can help overcome habitual lying. Depending on your partner’s personality, preferences and circumstances, this treatment might involve online psychotherapy, counselling, couples counselling or hypnotherapy.

All these compulsive lying therapies are designed to help them identify and address the underlying causes of their lying addiction, not just the symptoms. They involve deep, honest self-enquiry, which leads to a transformation of the inner conflicts that give rise to excessive lying in the first place.

As your partner begins to overcome the causes and resultant habits of compulsive or pathological lying, you may notice an improvement in your relationship and a significant increase in your partner’s self-confidence and feeling of self-worth.

In other words, you can both start to live more satisfying, fulfilling and authentic lives.

The first step

For compulsive lying therapy to work, your partner must be completely on board. They have to acknowledge that they have a problem and be committed to overcoming it.

This is often the most challenging hurdle for everyone involved. Many compulsive liars will deny they have a problem, even to themselves. So you probably won’t be able to simply suggest they see someone about it. And you certainly can’t force them to.

Instead, you have a couple of options:

  1. Book a one-on-one session for yourself – We’ll discuss your situation and your partner’s lying, and provide you with some strategies for coping with it. Through this process, we may also uncover ways in which you’re contributing to or enabling your partner’s lying addiction, and this alone can help set them on the path to healing. We’ll also help you find better ways to talk with your partner about their lying, and more constructive ways of responding to it.
  2. Book a couples counselling session for you and your partner – If you ask your partner to participate in couples counselling with you, you’re not pointing the finger. You’re positioning the problem as a relationship problem: a shared problem, with a shared solution. That’s not to say you’re equally responsible, or even responsible at all. But it’s a far less confronting way to introduce your partner to therapy. And from there, with our help, they may start to see their lying for what it is. As a result, they may finally acknowledge that they need help.

What comes after that?

Once your partner has acknowledged they have a problem, and they’re committed to overcoming it, they can participate in some compulsive lying therapy.

This involves a tailored combination of online counselling, psychotherapy or virtual hypnotherapy, via Doxy, Skype or Zoom.

Our methods are completely non-judgmental. It’s a safe, supportive, accepting environment, and we don’t force your partner to endure excessive guilt or embarrassment. It’s not something they should feel ashamed of, or try to hide. It’s merely something that needs treatment from someone who can provide an objective and informed perspective, but who also has empathy for the legitimate difficulties a lying addiction involves.

It’s possible we may be able to manage their patterns by changing their habitual thoughts and responses, through hypnotherapy, but usually longer-term treatment involving psychoanalytic psychotherapy is required. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is an insight-oriented, intensive treatment that requires an honest commitment from your partner to address issues, but it is very effective for resolving the underlying causes of compulsive (pathological) lying.

That doesn’t mean psychoanalytic psychotherapy, alone, is always the answer to chronic lying. Every case is different. Your partner’s may require a combination of psychoanalytic psychotherapy and proven natural treatments like Buddhist psychotherapy, mindfulness therapy and attachment therapy. Our counsellors are qualified in a range of counselling approaches and treatment techniques, so they’re able to tailor a plan to your partner’s specific needs and preferences, rather than trying to force an approach that doesn’t quite fit.

How long will treatment take?

For some people, treatment starts working within the first few sessions. However almost every compulsive liar requires longer-term psychotherapy for meaningful results. Although your partner may begin to experience change quite quickly, our treatment is not a quick-fix or band-aid solution.

We’re committed to helping but your partner needs to be committed too. Their progress relies, fundamentally, on their willingness to participate in therapy.

Questions?

Call Bayside Psychotherapy on (03) 9557 9113 or send us an email to find out if we can help your partner let go of habitual lying. It’s free, completely confidential, and there’s absolutely no obligation.

Book a confidential online therapy session today

As long as you have a private space, you and your partner can benefit from online sessions, anywhere, without having to travel or worry about parking. You can book an initial session by calling 03 9557 9113 or booking online.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that aims to change negative patterns of thinking or behaviour. It is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected and that changing negative thought patterns can lead to changes in feelings and behaviours. CBT helps individuals identify and challenge distorted or unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs, teaching them to respond to challenging situations more effectively. It is commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders, including depression, anxiety, and phobias. The therapy involves working with a therapist in a structured setting, and the skills learned can be applied to everyday life. With its evidence-based approach, CBT has proven effective for many individuals in managing their psychological challenges.

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Psychodynamic Therapy


Psychodynamic therapy, rooted in the theories of psychoanalysis developed by Sigmund Freud, focuses on the unconscious processes as they manifest in a person's present behaviour. The goal is to increase self-awareness and understanding of how past experiences influence current behaviour. It explores unresolved conflicts and traumatic experiences from the past, which may be impacting present-day behaviours and emotions. Therapists often delve into childhood events, dreams, and the relationship between the therapist and client to uncover hidden patterns. By bringing these unconscious feelings and drives to consciousness, individuals can gain insights into their lives, leading to healing and personal growth. While traditionally long-term, many contemporary forms of psychodynamic therapy are shorter-term. It is used to treat a broad range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.

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Person-Centred Therapy (or Rogerian Therapy)


Person-centred therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, is a humanistic approach that emphasises the individual's inherent drive towards self-actualization and growth. The therapist provides an environment of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness, allowing clients to freely express themselves without fear of judgement. This nurturing atmosphere facilitates self-exploration and self-acceptance. Central to the approach is the belief that individuals possess an innate ability to find their solutions when given the right conditions. The therapist's role is not to direct or advise, but rather to act as a facilitative companion on the client's journey. The focus is on the here and now, with the aim to enhance the individual's self-awareness, self-worth, and capacity to create positive changes in their lives.

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Hypnotherapy


Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that uses guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of consciousness or trance. Conducted by certified hypnotherapists, it taps into the subconscious mind, allowing clients to explore suppressed memories, emotions, or negative patterns. The process can facilitate behaviour change by introducing positive affirmations or suggestions. Hypnotherapy is often employed to treat anxieties, phobias, substance addictions, unwanted behaviours, and pain management. It can also be used to uncover and address deeper traumas or past experiences. While many report positive results from hypnotherapy, it requires the individual's willingness and trust in the process. It is crucial to approach it with an open mind and under the guidance of a trained professional.

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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)


Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a time-limited, evidence-based treatment that focuses on interpersonal issues, aiming to improve communication patterns and relational dynamics. Developed primarily for depression, IPT operates on the premise that psychological symptoms are often linked to interpersonal problems. It concentrates on four main areas: unresolved grief, role disputes (conflicts with significant others), role transitions (major life changes), and interpersonal deficits (long-standing difficulties in forming and maintaining healthy relationships). Therapists help clients identify and address current interpersonal issues that may contribute to their emotional distress. By enhancing communication and relational skills, IPT seeks to alleviate symptoms and improve interpersonal functioning. Emphasising the here and now, it offers practical strategies and insights for individuals to better navigate their social environments.

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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)


Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioural treatment developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, primarily for individuals with borderline personality disorder and chronic suicidality. DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioural techniques with concepts from Buddhist meditation, emphasising both acceptance and change. The therapy addresses emotional dysregulation by teaching patients skills in four key areas: mindfulness (staying present in the moment), distress tolerance (managing crises and accepting situations without change), emotion regulation (understanding and managing intense emotions), and interpersonal effectiveness (communicating and setting boundaries). DBT incorporates both individual therapy and group skills training. Its efficacy has expanded beyond its initial focus, showing promise in treating other disorders like eating disorders, substance use disorders, and mood disorders. It aims to balance self-acceptance with the need for change, fostering both emotional stability and interpersonal effectiveness.

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Integrative or Eclectic Therapy


Integrative or Eclectic therapy combines elements from various therapeutic approaches based on a client's individual needs. Instead of adhering to a single therapy model, integrative therapists are flexible, drawing from multiple theories and techniques to create a personalised treatment. This approach recognizes the value of diverse therapeutic methods and believes no one size fits all. By blending elements from different therapies, integrative practitioners aim to enhance treatment efficacy, tailoring it to the specific issues, preferences, and cultural backgrounds of each client. The underlying principle is that different individuals may benefit from different approaches at different times. Thus, an integrative or eclectic approach is holistic, adaptable, and client-centred, aiming to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes by using a wider range of tools and insights.

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Narrative Therapy


Narrative therapy is a therapeutic approach that centres on the stories people construct and hold about their lives. Developed by Michael White and David Epston, it posits that individuals give meaning to their experiences through narrative, often influenced by societal norms and beliefs. In this therapy, problems are externalised, allowing clients to view issues as separate from themselves. Therapists help clients "re-author" these narratives, emphasising strengths, achievements, and overlooked potential. By dissecting and reframing these stories, individuals can perceive challenges differently, identify alternative narratives, and construct more empowered versions of their lives. The approach is non-pathologizing, viewing people as experts of their own lives, with the therapist acting as a collaborative partner in the exploration and rewriting process. Narrative therapy fosters resilience, agency, and personal transformation.

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Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)


Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented approach that emphasises solutions rather than problems. Developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg in the 1980s, SFBT operates on the belief that clients possess inherent strengths and resources to manage difficulties and create desired changes. Instead of delving into the origins of problems, the therapy focuses on envisioning a preferred future and identifying practical steps to achieve it. Sessions often involve questions that help clients recognize successes, however small, and build on them. Questions might explore exceptions (times when the problem was not present) or elicit positive feedback, reinforcing progress. SFBT is typically shorter in duration than other modalities and is applicable across various settings and populations, emphasising resilience, competence, and actionable solutions.

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Gestalt Therapy


Gestalt therapy, developed by Fritz Perls in the mid-20th century, is an experiential and holistic approach focusing on self-awareness and the "here and now." It emphasises personal responsibility and the individual's experience in the present moment, the environment, and the context. The therapy seeks to help clients integrate fragmented aspects of the self, leading to a more unified, authentic whole. Gestalt therapists use creative techniques, including role-playing, dialogue, and experiential exercises, to heighten awareness and resolve unfinished business or "gestalts." Central to the approach is the belief in the innate human capacity for self-regulation and growth when individuals fully experience their feelings and perceptions. Gestalt therapy underscores the importance of the therapist-client relationship, direct engagement, and mutual influence, aiming to foster self-acceptance and personal growth.

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Schema Therapy


Schema therapy, developed by Dr. Jeffrey Young, integrates elements of cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, attachment, and gestalt approaches to treat complex disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder. It posits that maladaptive "schemas" or core beliefs form in childhood due to unmet emotional needs. These schemas persist into adulthood, leading to unhealthy life patterns or coping styles. The therapy identifies and addresses these deep-rooted schemas, aiming to replace them with healthier coping mechanisms. Schema therapy uses various techniques like cognitive restructuring, experiential exercises, and behavioural pattern-breaking. Therapists also emphasise a therapeutic relationship marked by "limited reparenting," wherein they provide the support and guidance that clients might have missed in their childhood. By addressing these core beliefs and their origins, schema therapy seeks long-lasting change and healing for individuals with chronic psychological challenges.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)


Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a therapeutic approach that blends traditional behaviour therapy with mindfulness principles. Developed by Steven C. Hayes in the 1980s, ACT's primary objective is to increase psychological flexibility. It encourages individuals to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than resisting or feeling guilty for them. The therapy focuses on six core processes: cognitive defusion (distancing from unhelpful thoughts), acceptance (embracing feelings without judgement), present-moment awareness (mindfulness), self-as-context (recognizing a consistent self beyond thoughts), values clarification (identifying what truly matters), and committed action (taking steps aligned with values). ACT posits that pain is a normal part of life and aims to help clients pursue meaningful lives in the presence of pain, rather than avoiding or being dominated by internal distress.

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Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)


Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an integrative therapy that combines traditional cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with mindfulness strategies. Developed to prevent the recurrence of depression, MBCT teaches individuals to become more aware of their thoughts and feelings, fostering a different relationship with them rather than trying to eliminate them. This approach aids in recognizing and disrupting automatic cognitive processes, often preventing depressive relapses. Through meditation exercises and awareness techniques, clients learn to focus on the present moment, reducing rumination and negative thought patterns. Research has shown MBCT to be effective in reducing the recurrence of depression, especially for those with a history of recurrent episodes. Beyond depression, it is also applied to various conditions, promoting mental well-being by cultivating mindfulness and a more adaptive relationship with thoughts and emotions.

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Family Systems Therapy


Family systems therapy, rooted in the work of Murray Bowen, views individuals in the context of their family unit, considering familial relationships, dynamics, and patterns. It posits that an individual's behaviours and emotional well-being are inseparable from the family system they belong to. Distress or dysfunction in one member often reflects broader family dynamics. The therapy seeks to identify and address unhealthy patterns within the family, aiming to foster understanding, improve communication, and resolve conflicts. Therapists observe interactions, facilitate dialogues, and guide family members towards healthier ways of relating. They consider generational patterns, roles, and boundaries. The goal is not just to address the concerns of one member but to enhance the well-being and functionality of the entire family system, recognizing its interconnected nature.

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Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) References


  • Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427-440.
  • Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Weitz, E., Andersson, G., Hollon, S. D., & van Straten, A. (2017). The effects of psychotherapies for major depression in adults on remission, recovery, and improvement: a meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 202, 511-517.
  • Wiles, N., Thomas, L., Abel, A., Ridgway, N., Turner, N., Campbell, J., ... & Hollinghurst, S. (2013). Cognitive behavioural therapy as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for primary care based patients with treatment-resistant depression: results of the CoBalT randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 381(9864), 375-384.
  • Johnsen, T. J., & Friborg, O. (2015). The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy as an anti-depressive treatment is falling: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 141(4), 747.
  • Driessen, E., Van, H. L., Don, F. J., Peen, J., Kool, S., Westra, D., ... & Dekker, J. J. (2013). The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy in the outpatient treatment of major depression: a randomized clinical trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(9), 1041-1050.
  • Cuijpers, P., Cristea, I. A., Karyotaki, E., Reijnders, M., & Huibers, M. J. (2016). How effective are cognitive behavior therapies for major depression and anxiety disorders? A meta-analytic update of the evidence. World Psychiatry, 15(3), 245-258.

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Psychodynamic Therapy References


  • Leichsenring, F., & Rabung, S. (2011). Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in complex mental disorders: update of a meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 199(1), 15-22.
  • Abbass, A., Kisely, S., & Kroenke, K. (2014). Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for somatic disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 83(5), 265-274.
  • Luyten, P., & Fonagy, P. (2015). The neurobiology of mentalizing. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 6(4), 366.
  • Gerber, A. J., Kocsis, J. H., Milrod, B. L., Roose, S. P., Barber, J. P., Thase, M. E., ... & Schneier, F. R. (2011). A quality-based review of randomized controlled trials of psychodynamic psychotherapy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(1), 19-28.
  • Munder, T., Wilmers, F., Leonhart, R., Linster, H. W., & Barth, J. (2010). Working Alliance Inventory-Short Revised (WAI-SR): psychometric properties in outpatients and inpatients. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 17(3), 231-239.
  • Town, J. M., Diener, M. J., Abbass, A., Leichsenring, F., Driessen, E., & Rabung, S. (2012). A meta-analysis of psychodynamic psychotherapy outcomes: Evaluating the effects of research-specific procedures. Psychotherapy, 49(3), 276.

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Person-Centred Therapy (or Rogerian Therapy) References


  • Elliott, R., Greenberg, L. S., Watson, J., Timulak, L., & Freire, E. (2013). Research on humanistic-experiential psychotherapies. Bergin and Garfield's Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change, 495-538.
  • Cooper, M., O'Hara, M., Schmid, P. F., & Wyatt, G. (2016). The Handbook of Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Prochaska, J. O., & Norcross, J. C. (2018). Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis. Oxford University Press.
  • Watson, J. C. (2017). Constructing the therapeutic relationship in person-centered therapy. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 27(4), 475.
  • Cepeda, L. M., & Davenport, D. S. (2016). Person-centered therapy and solution-focused brief therapy: An integration of present and future awareness. Psychotherapy, 53(1), 27.
  • Murphy, R., & Hutton, P. (2018). Practitioner review: Therapist variability, patient-reported therapeutic alliance, and clinical outcomes in adolescents undergoing mental health treatment–A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 59(1), 5-19.

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Hypnotherapy References


  • Alladin, A. (2012). Cognitive hypnotherapy: An integrated approach to the treatment of emotional disorders. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 26(4), 272-284.
  • Elkins, G., Barabasz, A., Council, J., & Spiegel, D. (2015). Advancing research and practice: The revised APA Division 30 definition of hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 57(4), 378-385.
  • Jensen, M. P., Jamieson, G. A., Lutz, A., Mazzoni, G., McGeown, W. J., Santarcangelo, E. L., ... & Terhune, D. B. (2015). New directions in hypnosis research: Strategies for advancing the cognitive and clinical neuroscience of hypnosis. Neuroscience of Consciousness, 2015(1), niv012.
  • Elkins, G., Barabasz, A., Council, J., & Spiegel, D. (2015). Advancing Research and Practice: The Revised APA Division 30 Definition of Hypnosis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 63(1), 1-9.
  • Lynn, S. J., Rhue, J. W., & Kirsch, I. (2010). Handbook of clinical hypnosis (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
  • Alladin, A. (2012). Cognitive hypnotherapy: An integrated approach to the treatment of emotional disorders. John Wiley & Sons.

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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) References


  • Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Weitz, E., Andersson, G., Hollon, S. D., & van Straten, A. (2016). The effects of psychotherapies for major depression in adults on remission, recovery, and improvement: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 84(3), 262.
  • Markowitz, J. C., & Weissman, M. M. (2012). Interpersonal psychotherapy: Past, present and future. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 19(2), 99-105.
  • Mufson, L., Dorta, K. P., Wickramaratne, P., Nomura, Y., Olfson, M., & Weissman, M. M. (2017). A randomized effectiveness trial of interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed adolescents. Archives of General Psychiatry, 64(6), 577-584.
  • Cuijpers, P., Geraedts, A. S., van Oppen, P., Andersson, G., Markowitz, J. C., & van Straten, A. (2011). Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression: A meta-analysis. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(6), 581-592.
  • Belsher, B. E., Beevers, C. G., & Neimeyer, R. A. (2012). Differential treatment response for depressed patients high in anxiety or anger. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(5), 852.
  • Lemmens, L. H., Galindo-Garre, F., Arntz, A., Peeters, F., Hollon, S. D., Derubeis, R. J., & Huibers, M. J. (2017). Exploring mechanisms of change in cognitive therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for adult depression. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 94, 81-92.

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Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) References


  • Kliem, S., Kröger, C., & Kosfelder, J. (2010). Dialectical behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder: A meta-analysis using mixed-effects modeling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(6), 936.
  • Panos, P. T., Jackson, J. W., Hasan, O., & Panos, A. (2014). Meta-analysis and systematic review assessing the efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Research on Social Work Practice, 24(2), 213-223.
  • Linehan, M. M., Korslund, K. E., Harned, M. S., Gallop, R. J., Lungu, A., Neacsiu, A. D., ... & Murray-Gregory, A. M. (2015). Dialectical behavior therapy for high suicide risk in individuals with borderline personality disorder: A randomized clinical trial and component analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(5), 475-482.
  • Chapman, A. L. (2016). Dialectical behavior therapy: Current indications and unique elements. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 3(9), 62.
  • Neacsiu, A. D., Eberle, J. W., Kramer, R., Wiesmann, T., & Linehan, M. M. (2014). Dialectical behavior therapy skills for transdiagnostic emotion dysregulation: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 59, 40-51.
  • Paris, J. (2017). Is hospitalization useful for suicidal patients with borderline personality disorder?. Journal of Personality Disorders, 31(1), 58-66.

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Integrative or Eclectic Therapy References


  • Norcross, J. C., & Goldfried, M. R. (Eds.). (2019). Handbook of psychotherapy integration (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Cook, J. E., Biyanova, T., & Coyne, J. C. (2010). Barriers to adoption of new treatments: An internet study of practicing community psychotherapists. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 37(2), 83-90.
  • Watson, J. C., Gordon, L. B., Stermac, L., Kalogerakos, F., & Steckley, P. (2010). Comparing the effectiveness of process‐experiential with cognitive‐behavioral psychotherapy in the treatment of depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(6), 1030.
  • Wampold, B. E., & Imel, Z. E. (2015). The great psychotherapy debate: The evidence for what makes psychotherapy work (2nd ed.). Routledge.
  • Cooper, M. (2019). The challenge of counselling and psychotherapy research. Counselling Psychology Review, 24(3-4), 88-96.
  • Cuijpers, P., van Straten, A., Andersson, G., & van Oppen, P. (2010). Psychotherapy for depression in adults: A meta-analysis of comparative outcome studies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77(6), 909.

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Narrative Therapy References


  • Vetlesen, A. J. (2015). Narrative exposure therapy: A short-term treatment for traumatic stress disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(8), 688-696.
  • Mørkved, N., Winje, D., Dovran, A., Arefjord, K., Johnsen, I. H., Kroken, R. A., ... & Thimm, J. C. (2019). A pilot study of narrative exposure therapy in adolescents and young adults with borderline personality features and self-harm. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 656.
  • Robjant, K., & Fazel, M. (2010). The emerging evidence for Narrative Exposure Therapy: A review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(8), 1030-1039.
  • Grysman, A., & Hudson, J. A. (2013). Gender differences in autobiographical memory: Developmental and methodological considerations. Developmental Review, 33(3), 239-272.
  • Thomaes, K., Dorrepaal, E., Draijer, N., Jansma, E. P., Veltman, D. J., & van Balkom, A. J. (2014). Can pharmacological and psychological treatment change brain structure and function in PTSD? A systematic review. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 50, 1-15.
  • McLeod, J. (2013). An introduction to counselling. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

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Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) References


  • Franklin, C., Trepper, T. S., Gingerich, W. J., & McCollum, E. E. (2011). Solution-focused brief therapy: A handbook of evidence-based practice. Oxford University Press.
  • Kim, J. S. (2014). Examining the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy: A meta-analysis. Research on Social Work Practice, 24(3), 304-315.
  • De Shazer, S., & Dolan, Y. (2012). More than miracles: The state of the art of solution-focused brief therapy. Routledge.
  • Bond, C., Woods, K., Humphrey, N., Symes, W., & Green, L. (2013). Practitioner review: The effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy with children and families: A systematic and critical evaluation of the literature from 1990–2010. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54(7), 707-723.
  • Stams, G. J., Deković, M., Buist, K., & de Vries, L. (2011). Efficacy of solution-focused brief therapy: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(4), 605-617.
  • Gingerich, W. J., & Peterson, L. T. (2013). Effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy: A systematic qualitative review of controlled outcome studies. Research on Social Work Practice, 23(3), 266-283.

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Gestalt Therapy References


  • Roubal, J. (Ed.). (2016). Gestalt therapy in clinical practice: From psychopathology to the aesthetics of contact. Siracusa: Gestalt Press.
  • Brownell, P. (2016). Handbook for theory, research, and practice in gestalt therapy (2nd ed.). Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
  • Elliott, R., Watson, J. C., Goldman, R. N., & Greenberg, L. S. (2011). Learning emotion-focused therapy: The process-experiential approach to change. American Psychological Association.
  • Perls, F., Hefferline, R. F., & Goodman, P. (2010). Gestalt therapy: Excitement and growth in the human personality. Start Publishing LLC.
  • Yontef, G., & Jacobs, L. (2010). Gestalt therapy. In Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology (4th ed.). Wiley.
  • Brown, M., & Pedder, J. (2015). Introduction to psychotherapy: An outline of psychodynamic principles and practice (4th ed.). Routledge.

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Schema Therapy References


  • Arntz, A., & Jacob, G. (2012). Schema therapy in practice: An introductory guide to the schema mode approach. Wiley.
  • Giesen-Bloo, J., & Arntz, A. (2013). Outpatient psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder: randomized trial of schema-focused therapy vs transference-focused psychotherapy. Archives of general psychiatry, 63(6), 649-658.
  • Rafaeli, E., Bernstein, D. P., & Young, J. (2011). Schema therapy: Distinctive features. Routledge.
  • Nordahl, H. M., & Nysæter, T. E. (2015). Schema therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder: a single case series. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 48, 69-77.
  • Cockram, D. M., Drummond, P. D., & Lee, C. W. (2010). Role and treatment of early maladaptive schemas in Vietnam veterans with PTSD. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 17(3), 165-182.
  • Bamelis, L. L., Evers, S. M., Spinhoven, P., & Arntz, A. (2014). Results of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of the clinical effectiveness of schema therapy for personality disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(3), 305-322.

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) References


  • Hayes, S. C., & Hofmann, S. G. (Eds.). (2012). Process-based CBT: The science and core clinical competencies of cognitive behavioral therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
  • Swain, J., Hancock, K., Hainsworth, C., & Bowman, J. (2013). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review. Clinical psychology review, 33(8), 965-978.
  • A-tjak, J. G., Davis, M. L., Morina, N., Powers, M. B., Smits, J. A., & Emmelkamp, P. M. (2015). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for clinically relevant mental and physical health problems. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84(1), 30-36.
  • Öst, L. G. (2014). The efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Behaviour research and therapy, 61, 105-121.
  • Forman, E. M., Herbert, J. D., Moitra, E., Yeomans, P. D., & Geller, P. A. (2012). A randomized controlled effectiveness trial of acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive therapy for anxiety and depression. Behavior modification, 36(6), 742-766.
  • Levin, M. E., Hildebrandt, M. J., Lillis, J., & Hayes, S. C. (2012). The impact of treatment components suggested by the psychological flexibility model: A meta-analysis of laboratory-based component studies. Behavior therapy, 43(4), 741-756.

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Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) References


  • Kuyken, W., Warren, F. C., Taylor, R. S., Whalley, B., Crane, C., Bondolfi, G., ... & Segal, Z. (2016). Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(6), 565-574.
  • Hofmann, S. G., Sawyer, A. T., Witt, A. A., & Oh, D. (2010). The effect of mindfulness-based therapy on anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 78(2), 169.
  • Gu, J., Strauss, C., Bond, R., & Cavanagh, K. (2015). How do mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction improve mental health and wellbeing? A systematic review and meta-analysis of mediation studies. Clinical psychology review, 37, 1-12.
  • van der Velden, A. M., Kuyken, W., Wattar, U., Crane, C., Pallesen, K. J., Dahlgaard, J., ... & Piet, J. (2015). A systematic review of mechanisms of change in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in the treatment of recurrent major depressive disorder. Clinical psychology review, 37, 26-39.
  • Strauss, C., Cavanagh, K., Oliver, A., & Pettman, D. (2014). Mindfulness-based interventions for people diagnosed with a current episode of an anxiety or depressive disorder: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. PLOS ONE, 9(4), e96110.
  • Crane, C., & Kuyken, W. (2013). The implementation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: Learning from the UK health service experience. Mindfulness, 4(3), 246-254.

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Family Systems Therapy References


  • Carr, A. (2014). The evidence base for couple therapy, family therapy and systemic interventions for adult-focused problems. Journal of Family Therapy, 36(2), 158-194.
  • Lebow, J. L. (2014). Couple and family therapy: An integrative map of the territory. American Psychological Association.
  • Sexton, T. L., & Datchi, C. (2014). The development and evolution of family therapy research: Its impact on practice, current status, and future directions. Family Process, 53(3), 415-433.
  • Asen, E., & Fonagy, P. (2012). Mentalization-based therapeutic interventions for families. Journal of Family Therapy, 34(4), 347-370.
  • Sprenkle, D. H. (Ed.). (2012). Effectiveness research in marriage and family therapy. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
  • Miller, S. D., Hubble, M. A., & Duncan, B. L. (Eds.). (2013). Handbook of solution-focused brief therapy: Clinical applications. John Wiley & Sons.

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