Search

This article introduces the intersystem model of psychotherapy and discusses its utility as a truly integrative and comprehensive approach. The foundation of this conceptually complex approach comes from dialectic metatheory; hence, its derivation requires an understanding of both foundational and integrational constructs. The article provides a historical perspective of integrative therapy and discusses the development and foundational constructs of the intersystem approach and the approach as a contextual meta-framework for therapy. The article concludes with a diagram and an idealized case study to illustrate the practical application of this approach in a clinical setting. (Contains 1 diagram.)

Demonstrates the use of paradoxical interventions with preadolescent and adolescent students in a school setting, illustrated with seven case examples. These interventions require limited verbal ability and insight on the part of students, produce rapid results, and are particularly suitable for oppositional students. (JAC)

Describes how dialectic metatherapy may be used to integrate various dimensions of human development as they pertain to symptom formation and therapy. A dialectical conceptualization of therapy allows one to systematically organize individually and systematically oriented ideas. Points out the paradoxical nature of therapy and how to use this constructively. (Author/ABB)

A compilation of paradoxical interpretations and prescriptions is presented after a short review of similar efforts. Includes the following dimensions: individual v systematic; prescriptive v descriptive; reframing v relabeling; and specific v general. Theoretical, empirical, and clinical implications of this typology are considered, with an emphasis on the latter. (Author)

Sexual functioning in a nonclinical sample of male couples was explored. Responses of 90 male couples in a national self-report study were analyzed for type and frequency of sexual problems and their correlates, differentiating between dysfunctions (performance) and difficulties (affect). Results were compared to previous research on heterosexual couples. Gay and heterosexual men differed in kind, but not number, of dysfunctions, and in number, but not kind, of difficulties. Gay men and heterosexual women differed in number of dysfunctions, and kind, but not number, of difficulties. The comparison of sexual problems between gay men and heterosexuals suggests a model of sexual functioning for gay men consisting of gender of self and partner, sexual minority status, and health concerns (especially AIDS). the correlates of sexual problems were roughly similar for all groups, and highlight the affective tone of the sexual relationship.