In this conversation, Dr. William Stiles discusses the significance of reflection in therapeutic practice and the challenges of measuring therapeutic techniques through process research. Dr. Stiles introduces the concept of responsiveness in therapy, highlighting the importance of understanding what the client needs at any given moment. He elaborates on the assimilation model, which focuses on transforming problematic experiences into resources, and the role of meaning bridges in facilitating this process. The conversation also touches on the integral role of emotion in therapy and the idea that while therapies may reduce distress, they do not necessarily lead to uniform outcomes among clients.

Special Guest: Dr. William Stiles

Additional Resources:

Stiles, W. B. (2021). Responsiveness in psychotherapy research: Problems and ways forward. In J. C. Watson & H. Wiseman (Eds), The responsive psychotherapist: Attuning to clients in the moment (pp. 15-35). Washington, DC: APA Books. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000240-002

Stiles, W. B. (2009). Logical operations in theory-building case studies. Pragmatic Case Studies in Psychotherapy, 5(3), 9-22. https://doi.org/10.14713/pcsp.v5i3.973. Available: http://jrul.libraries.rutgers.edu/index.php/pcsp/article/view/973

Stiles, W. B. (2017). Theory-building case studies. In D. Murphy (Ed.), Counselling psychology: A textbook for study and practice (pp. 439-452). Chichester, UK: Wiley.

Stiles, W. B. (2011). Coming to terms. Psychotherapy Research, 21, 367-384. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2011.582186

Stiles, W. B. (1992). Describing talk: A taxonomy of verbal response modes. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Stiles, W. B., Shapiro, D. A., & Elliott, R. (1986). "Are all psychotherapies equivalent?" American Psychologist, 41, 165-180.

Stiles, W. B., Barkham, M., Mellor-Clark, J., & Connell, J. (2008). Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural, person-centred, and psychodynamic therapies in UK primary care routine practice: Replication in a larger sample. Psychological Medicine, 38, 677–688. Published online 10 September 2007, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291707001511.

Stiles, W. B. (1987). "I have to talk to somebody." A fever model of disclosure. In V. J. Derlega & J. H. Berg (Eds.), Self-disclosure: Theory, research, and therapy (pp. 257-282). New York: Plenum Press.

Stiles, W. B., Honos-Webb, L., & Surko, M. (1998). Responsiveness in psychotherapy. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 5, 439-458.

Stiles, W. B., (in preparation). How talking helps: The assimilation model.

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