Monitor on Psychology - February 2012 - (Page 13)

APA’s PsycTHERAPY brings therapy demos to life In 1965, a video called “The Three Approaches to Psychotherapy” turned the tables for therapistsin-training. The classic film, commonly called the “Gloria video” for the female patient who appeared in the sessions, was a big step forward for teachers and students, says Ed Meidenbauer, director of APA’s video media. “Before that, training psychotherapists was difficult because you couldn’t show what happened behind the closed door of the therapy room.” Training videos soon A video clip from “Finding alternatives to gambling,” available on APA’s PsyctHerAPY database. became mainstream, and in the 1990s APA started through DVD menus to find relevant clips. PsycTHERAPY is its own video demonstration series. Fast forward to today, designed to be user-friendly, Meidenbauer says. The database when we’ve moved far beyond VHS tapes and even DVDs. With contains searchable transcripts of all the available video. Click the advent of streaming technology, Meidenbauer says, it was on any word in the transcript, and the video will scroll to that possible to compile an impressive database of training videos. exact point. The database, known as PsycTHERAPY, was released for Database users can search for a specific approach, such sale to institutions in September and is now available to APA as cognitive behavioral therapy; a topic, such as anxiety or members in PsycNET packages. gambling problems; or even therapeutic techniques, such as the It fills a real need, says APA Publisher Gary R. VandenBos, empty-chair technique. “In addition, the database allows for PhD. “Students in training have always complained that they rapid movement between videotapes of different therapists so have needed to imagine what famous therapists actually do that it’s very easy to compare and contrast technique and style,” in psychotherapy. Videotapes make the process of learning VandenBos says. psychotherapy much easier,” he says. Beyond video itself, each database record contains a variety While the primary audience is graduate students and their of information, says Meidenbauer, including details about the instructors, the service is likely to be useful to experienced approach and the techniques, and any tests or measures used in practitioners as well. “A practitioner may want to see how a the demonstration. Clearly, video technology has come a long different approach looks in practice, or they may want to see way from Gloria and her three approaches. how another therapist may be dealing with a specific presenting “The response has been very positive. People are excited issue,” Meidenbauer says. about it,” Meidenbauer says. “They see this as very useful in PsycTHERAPY contains some 300 video demonstrations by training and teaching psychotherapy.” more than 100 expert psychotherapists working with real-life volunteers, not actors. Those participants represent more than —k. WEiR 50 diagnostic categories, VandenBos says, and the database is expected to grow with 40 to 80 new videos added every year. For more information, visit www.apa.org/pubs/databases/ Gone are the days of fast-forwarding videotapes or skipping psyctherapy/. F e b ru a ry 2 0 1 2 • M o n i t o r o n p s y c h o l o g y 13 http://www.apa.org/pubs/databases/psyctherapy/ http://www.apa.org/pubs/databases/psyctherapy/

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - February 2012

Monitor on Psychology - February 2012
Letters
President’s column
Contents
From the CEO
APA files two briefs in support of same-sex couples
New registry seeks to understand addiction recovery through ‘crowdsourcing’
APA launches a database of tests and measures
Watch for new member benefit: “APA Access”
Apply now for APA’s Advanced Training Institutes
PsycTHERAPY, APA’s new database, brings therapy demos to life
In Brief
APA scientists help guide tobacco regulation
A-mazing research
‘A machine for jumping to conclusions’
Judicial Notebook
Random Sample
Righting the imbalance
The beginnings of mental illness
Science Directions
Improving disorder classification, worldwide
Protesting proposed changes to the DSM
Interventions for at-risk students
Harnessing the wisdom of the ages
Anti-bullying efforts ramp up
Hostile hallways
R U friends 4 real?
Support for teachers
Speaking of Education
Record keeping for practitioners
Going green
At the intersection of law and psychology
Division Spotlight
Grants help solve society’s problems
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - February 2012