Abstract
Objectives
Despite its efficacy, little is known about what makes Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) effective. We, therefore, analyze participants' and therapists' experiences of Grawe's five general change mechanisms (alliance, resource activation, clarification, problem actuation, mastery) during an iCBT intervention for family dementia caregivers, and how their experiences were related to treatment outcomes.
Method
Participants (N = 30) exchanged eight weekly messages with a therapist via an Internet platform. We used the Bern Post Session Report to assess participants' and therapists' experiences of the general change mechanisms after each session.
Results
Treatment outcomes were associated with therapists' overall experiences of alliance, clarification, and mastery. Participants experienced more problem actuation than therapists. Only participants' and therapists' experiences of clarification over time differed.
Conclusions
Grawe's general change mechanisms are also relevant for iCBT. We recommend considering Grawe's framework when designing Internet-based therapeutic interventions and when training therapists to deliver such interventions.
Despite its efficacy, little is known about what makes Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) effective. We, therefore, analyze participants' and therapists' experiences of Grawe's five general change mechanisms (alliance, resource activation, clarification, problem actuation, mastery) during an iCBT intervention for family dementia caregivers, and how their experiences were related to treatment outcomes.
Method
Participants (N = 30) exchanged eight weekly messages with a therapist via an Internet platform. We used the Bern Post Session Report to assess participants' and therapists' experiences of the general change mechanisms after each session.
Results
Treatment outcomes were associated with therapists' overall experiences of alliance, clarification, and mastery. Participants experienced more problem actuation than therapists. Only participants' and therapists' experiences of clarification over time differed.
Conclusions
Grawe's general change mechanisms are also relevant for iCBT. We recommend considering Grawe's framework when designing Internet-based therapeutic interventions and when training therapists to deliver such interventions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2798-2816 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Psychology |
| Volume | 77 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |