Convergence and Divergence of Themes in Successful Psychotherapy: An Assimilation Analysis

Authors

Lynne M. Knobloch-Fedders, Marquette UniversityFollow
Linda M. Endres, Miami UniversityFollow
William B. Stiles, Miami University - Oxford
George Silberschatz, University of California - San Francisco

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

Spring 2001

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Source Publication

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training

Source ISSN

0033-3204

Abstract

Theme convergence is the linking of seemingly unrelated problem domains as they advance through assimilation stages-a developmental sequence of cognitive and affective changes through which problematic content is hypothesized to pass during successful psychotherapy. Theme divergence is the contradiction or conflict of solutions to different problems, so that progress in one domain leads to stagnation or regression in another domain. An intensive qualitative method called assimilation analysis was used to examine theme convergence and divergence in a successful psychodynamic psychotherapy with a 20–yr–old female patient. Because specific problems often fail to progress monotonically, even in successful psychotherapy cases, it is suggested that clients' problems cannot be resolved in isolation; instead, they may influence each other toward resolution or stagnation in complex and unpredictable ways.

Comments

Accepted version. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, Vol 38, No. 1, (Spring 2001):31-39. DOI. © 2001 American Psychological Association. Used with permission.

Lynne M. Knobloch-Fedders was affiliated with Miami University at the time of publication.

Recommended Citation

Knobloch-Fedders, Lynne M.; Endres, Linda M.; Stiles, William B.; and Silberschatz, George, "Convergence and Divergence of Themes in Successful Psychotherapy: An Assimilation Analysis" (2001). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 373.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/373