Research group PERSONFORSK: Research project
The art and science of psychotherapy in naturalistic settings (ARTSCI)
Psychotherapy is a purposeful application of a relational process aimed at assisting individuals experiencing mental health distress or suffering in overcoming and recovering. While clinical trials have provided substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of psychotherapy as a professional practice, the potential benefits are not consistently replicated in naturalistic settings. As both a relational art and a clinical science skill, research into psychotherapy and relational intersubjective processes employs a diverse array of methods and focuses.
Photo: Førde Hospital Trust
Main objective
The primary goal of ARTSCI is to contribute scientific knowledge regarding change mechanisms, micro-processes, pivotal action points, and the personalized relational aspects of psychotherapy.
Method
ARTSCI encompasses various projects utilizing advanced qualitative micro-process approaches, in-depth dyadic qualitative methods, and person-specific quantitative approaches. For instance:
The «Emotion work in psychotherapy» work package (PI Gøril Solberg Kleiven) and the «Alliance formation in the five first sessions» work package (PI Kristina Osland Lavik) employ the micro-process method Interpersonal Process Recall (IPR) for data collection. IPR, an innovative research approach, scrutinizes therapy sessions from the client’s perspective, integrating micro-processes and qualitative inquiry. The methodology entails recording therapy sessions and conducting interviews within 48 hours to explore specific moments, fostering in-depth participant recollection. IPR utilizes semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, encouraging detailed exploration of thoughts and emotions. The benefit of IPR lies in its capacity to offer therapists valuable insights into client experiences, enhancing their ability to navigate and facilitate effective therapeutic interactions.
The «Therapist factors and the art of psychotherapy» work package (PIs Marit Råbu and Christian Moltu interchangeably) employs in-depth interviews and dyadic qualitative analytic approaches to understand processes and therapist skills for achieving positive outcomes with diverse patients. This project has also explored researcher and therapist reflexive practices in various published papers.
Other work packages include, for example, «The structure of being diagnosed with and recovering from borderline personality disorder» (PI Britt Kverme) and «Being an adolescent in psychotherapy» (PI Christian Moltu), both utilizing in-depth qualitative research methodologies.
ARTSCI has been developed and implemented in close collaboration with the University of Oslo, spearheaded by Professor Marit Råbu, our esteemed partner. The results have been disseminated not only through numerous scientific papers but also via artwork, theater productions, public events, news outlets, and international blogs and popular media.
Project period
The art and science of conducting therapy (ARTSCI): 2012 – 2023
ARTSCI II: Continuing the art of psychotherapy: to be launched in 2024
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Funding sources:
The Western Norway Regional Health Authority
University of Oslo
Førde Hospital Trust
From the theatre production Transference,
Photo: Fin Serck-Hanssen
Collaborating institutions
Helse Førde Hospital Trust
Western Norway University of Applied Science
University of Bergen
University of Oslo
The most recent publications (2020-2023)
Grindheim, Ø., Moltu, C., Iversen, V., McAleavey, A., Tømmervik, K., Govasmark, H., & Brattland, H. (2024). Points of Departure: A Qualitative Study Exploring Relational Facilitators and Barriers in the First Treatment Session. Psychotherapy Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2023.2297996
Kleiven, G.S., Hjeltnes, A., Brattland, H., & Moltu, C. (2023). Moments of Change: Client’s Immediate Experiences When Sharing Emotions In Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2023.2260938
Veseth, M., Ese, M., Binder, P.E., & Moltu, C. (2023). ‘Holding on to regret as a kind of enrichment’ – A qualitative exploration of the role that work-related regrets play in therapists’ clinical practice. Counselling Psychology Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2023.2191310
Kleiven, G.S., Hjeltnes, A., Natvik, E., & Moltu, C. (2023). Engaging with difficult topics and emotional experiences in psychotherapy: A study of helpful therapist acts. Psychotherapy Research, 33(4), 428-441.
Moltu, C, Kverme, B., Veseth, M., & Natvik, E. (2022) How people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder experience relationships to oneself and to others. A qualitative in-depth study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2022.2152220
Moltu, C., Kverme, B., Veseth, M., & Natvik, E. (2022). Living life when diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. A qualitative in-depth study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being. DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2022.2152220
Lavik, K.O., McAleavey, A., Kvendseth, E.K. & Moltu, C. (2022). Relationship and alliance formation processes in psychotherapy: A dual-perspective qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychology
Råbu, M. & Moltu, C. (2021). People engaging each other – A dual perspective narrative study of interpersonal processes in useful therapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. 51(1), 67-75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-020-09469-1
Stige, S., Barca, T., Lavik, K.O., & Moltu, C. (2021). Barriers and facilitators in adolescent psychotherapy initiated by adults – Experiences that differentiate adolescents’ trajectories through mental health care. Frontiers in Psychology 12:633663. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.633663.
Kleiven, G., Hjeltnes, A., Råbu, M., & Moltu, C. (2020). Opening up: Clients’ inner struggles at the start of therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 11:591146. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.591146
Råbu, M., NcLeod, J., Tønnesen, T., & Moltu, C. (2020). Creating Art from Research: a Theatre Play based on Research Interviews with Senior Therapists. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2020.1755419
