Using therapeutic letters in group schematherapy.

Objective: This article focuses on utilizing therapeutic letters within group schema therapy-an innovative therapeutic approach that integrates elements from various therapeutic disciplines. The primary aim is to explore how therapeutic letters can enhance the therapeutic process and support the treatment of patients.

Methods: To achieve this objective, we conducted a narrative literature review centred on schema therapy and using therapeutic letters as a therapeutic strategy.

The use of imagery in group schema therapy.

This article describes using imagery approaches during group schema therapy (GST). Imagery approaches are an important tool for identifying and changing maladaptive schema modes and early maladaptive schemas. It summarises the theoretical background of the group imagery method and practical case vignettes.

Childhood trauma and dissociation in patients with panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Part 2: Therapeutic effectiveness of combined cognitive behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapy in treatment-resistant inpatients.

Introduction: PAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with an increased risk of mental health issues in general, but their relationship with panic disorder (PD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has received less attention compared to borderline personality disorder (BPD). Dissociative experiences are significant predictors of increased symptoms, reduced treatment adherence, and poor prognosis in several psychiatric conditions, including PD, OCD, and BPD; still, their impact remains underexplored. This part of the study focuses on the overall efficiency of psychotherapeutic programs on treatment-resistant patients diagnosed with PD, OCD, and BPD (or combined), as well as the relationship between ACEs, dissociation rates, and treatment results.

Childhood trauma and dissociation in patients with panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Part 1: Relationships between demographic, clinical, and psychological factors.

Introduction: Panic disorder (PD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are associated with various psychosocial factors that may influence their onset and psychopathology. Dissociation encompasses a wide range of manifestations, from benign experiences to severe mental health issues. Research comparing childhood trauma and dissociation, general psychopathology, and the onset of the disorder among patients with PD, OCD, and BPD has not yet been published.

Managing supervisory drift in cognitive behavioral therapy: A narrative review with case vignettes.

Drift is a phenomenon that can occur in cognitive-behavioral supervision, where core components of supervision are omitted, avoided, or deprioritized. This narrative review explores the signs, reasons, and impact of supervisory drift at the experiential, cognitive, and emotional levels for both the supervisor and the supervisee. Additionally, the article presents potential solutions for preventing and addressing supervisory drift, such as staying on track, anticipating problems before they arise, adapting supervision to the supervisee's needs, using active supervision methods to understand drift better, engaging in Supervision of Supervision (SoS), and using alliance measures.

Practical viewpoints on ethical questions and dilemmas in schema therapy.

Background: Ethics is an inherent part of psychotherapy that protects the interests and rights of all parties engaged in the therapeutic relationship. This article focuses on ethical issues and dilemmas that may arise when using schema therapy.

Method: We created a narrative review by searching the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus with the keywords "psychotherapy", "schema therapy", "therapeutic relationship", "ethics", "ethical questions", and "ethical dilemmas".

Building skills in cognitive behavioral supervision.

The purpose of supervision is to ensure that clients' needs are met and to monitor the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and the therapeutic relationship. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) supervision is the systematic cooperation of the supervisee with the supervisor, which aims at increasing the therapists' competencies when working with specific clients. The advantage of supervision is the possibility to shape and develop the therapist's practical skills through specific techniques.

Parallel process as a tool for supervision and therapy: A cognitive behavioral and schema therapy perspective.

Introduction: The parallel process is a psychosocial phenomenon where the relationship dynamics between the therapist and the client are repeated in the supervisory relationship between the therapist and the supervisor. The concept of the parallel process can be a useful tool for understanding and solving problems in therapy. However, it can induce supervision drift or block the supervision process.

The river of life method in a schema therapy groups.

Schema therapy is an integrative approach to treat patients with personality disorders and other complex psychological problems. Group schema therapy has been developed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of schema therapy by providing a supportive and stimulating environment for change. This article introduces the River of Life Method, a novel technique for facilitating group schema therapy, based on the metaphor of a river of life.

Exploring self-care within the context of cognitive behavioural therapy and supervision.

This article emphasizes the critical role of self-care in the professional lives of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) therapists and supervisors. It delves into the importance of self-care, elucidating its significance in maintaining therapists' mental health and effectiveness. The article presents a range of practical strategies that promote self-care, providing therapists and supervisors with specific steps to incorporate self-care into their daily routines.

Self-stigma in patients with schizophrenia: Impact and management.

Background: Prejudices against individuals with schizophrenia can interfere with diagnostic and treatment processes, particularly with the patient's further adaptation and reintegration. Self-stigma could have significant detrimental consequences for patients suffering from psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia.

Method: This paper reviews findings about self-stigma connected to schizophrenia.

Black & white relations: Intimate relationships of patients with borderline personality disorder.

Background: Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) suffer from an excessive fear of abandonment, leading to tense moments in their intimate relationships. These struggles translate into lower marital satisfaction perceived by both intimate partners. However, this connection is bidirectional, since conflicts with a romantic partner are the most common precipitating factors of decompensation in BPD patients.

Pupillography in contemporary sleep medicine - A narrative review.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common symptom of sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypersomnia. The most common tools for assessing EDS are various specialized questionnaires such as Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS). However, the scores obtained from self-rating questionnaires do not seem to measure physiological sleepiness but rather a more complex phenomenon of subjective sleepiness modulated by other factors such as motivation, expectation, and capability of self-perception.

Problems in Cognitive-Behavioral Supervision: Theoretical Background and Clinical Application.

Cognitive-behavioural therapists and trainees are encouraged to undergo supervision when offering therapy to troubled clients and to process personal attitudes and events likely to affect their therapeutic work. We discuss common problems in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) supervision, which may arise at the client, supervisee, or supervisor level. These issues include difficulties with case formulation, therapeutic strategies, and the therapeutic relationship.

Stigma and self-stigma in borderline personality disorder: A narrative review.

Introduction: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) presents a highly stigmatised condition. Individuals with BPD may experience stigmatising attitudes and remarks from the general population and mental health professionals. Significant self-stigma also seems common.

The importance of self-experience and self-reflection in training of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Self-awareness can be characterised as impartial, non-judgmental thoughtful attention towards the self. Self-reflection in therapy is when a therapist reviews their experiences, thoughts, and behaviours concerning therapy and changes them as needed to enhance the therapeutic process. Therapists with good quality self-reflection can make more effective and ethical decisions, differentiate their own needs from clients', understand transference and countertransference, and consider the optimal response during a session.

Cognitive Functions, Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms After One Year of CPAP Treatment in Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Objective: The study worked with depressive symptoms, anxiety score and cognitive functions in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients treated with CPAP.

Methods: Eighty-one subjects with OSA and without psychiatric comorbidity were treated with CPAP for one year and completed the following scales and cognitive tests: Trail Making Test, Verbal Fluency Test, d2 Test, Beck Depression Inventory-II and Beck Anxiety Inventory. MINI ruled out psychiatric disorder.

Obstruction sleep apnoea and panic disorder.

Objective: Both panic disorder (PD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are frequent conditions that can be comorbid. This article reviews the current state of knowledge about the comorbidity of PD and OSA and the effectiveness of therapy in patients with this comorbidity.

Method: Articles obtained via PubMed and Web of Science search were selected; the publishing date was between January 1990 and December 2022.

Role-playing in cognitive behavioral supervision.

Role-play helps the supervisor present a moment of therapy, and reflect on what has happened to the therapist to the patient and further model the therapeutic skills. Usually, the supervisor or other supervisees (in group supervision) play the patient, and the therapist plays a significant moment in the psychotherapeutic session. Supervisors or supervisees in group supervision can play the patient in different situations, and can also reverse roles when the therapist plays their patient, and the supervisor plays the therapist.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Needing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Following a Critical Course of COVID-19.

Introduction: Severe respiratory failure is one of the most serious complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a small proportion of patients, mechanical ventilation fails to provide adequate oxygenation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is needed. The surviving individuals need long-term follow-up as it is not clear what their prognosis is.

Sleep Disturbance and Immunological Consequences of COVID-19.

The overarching importance of sleep was further emphasized during the pandemic of COVID-19. The subjects infected by COVID-19 frequently experience sleep disturbances; some are long-lasting problems and decrease the quality of life. Insomnia is the most studied sleep disorder associated with COVID-19.

Ethical reflection in cognitive behavioral therapy and supervision: Theory and practice.

Ethical reflection is a process that comes from the deeper attitudes and values of the therapist and supervisor. The capability to recognize one's perspectives and ethical dimensions and how they affect own practice is one of the crucial tasks of a responsible therapist. Attitudes and values of an individual or a group may significantly influence the therapeutic process and a choice of strategies and behaviour towards the patient, often working at an unconscious, unreflected levels.