The multitude and complexity of research questions concerning process and outcome of psychotherapy and other psychosocial interventions draws on a wide range of scientific and statistical methods. A methodological pluralism is therefore applied. However, in the broad arsenal of methods a special emphasis is given to systematic reviews and meta-analyses methods, hierarchical mixed model regression analyses, and analyses of longitudinal data and time series.
Regarding the evaluation of the efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapy and other psychosocial interventions to promote mental health, resilience and self-efficacy the whole up-to-date methodological arsenal of systematic reviews and meta-analyses such as applying the PICO-Schema for depicting the objectives, the PRISMA-standards for reporting, calculation of different forms effect sizes, testing heterogeneity and publication bias, using flow charts, forest and funnel plots for illustrating the results using high end software such Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, CMA (https://de.meta-analysis.com).
For the analysis of therapeutic factors and change mechanisms induced by psychotherapy other effective psychosocial interventions, we apply hierarchical mixed and time series modeling as well as meta-regression methods.
In embodiment research, we study processes of motoric and nonverbal synchrony in psychotherapy sessions and other dyadic social interactions. Therefore, we have developed specific methods for measuring synchrony such MEA (Motion Energy Analysis) – a method to monitor movement in video recordings.
In addition, we have developed several questionnaires for the measurement of common and specific therapeutic factors in psychotherapy:
- The Wochenerfahrungsbogen (WEB) was psychometrically established using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in the context of the Taxonomy Project. The WEB allows to measure the common factors Coping, Therapeutic Alliance, Cognitive Integration, and Affective Processing with high reliability (Cronbach's alpha).
- The Patientensitzungsbogen (PSB) is based on a comprehensive list of common factors suggested in the literature, as was elaborated by the Taxonomy Project. The PSB is filled out by patients after a therapy session.
- The Therapietechnikbogen (TTB) maps the psychotherapy techniques and interventions implemented in a therapy session. Technique of different therapy approaches are covered. The TTB is filled out by the therapist after the respective session.
We also constructed and validated an encompassing questionnaire to self-assess the various facets of the mindfulness construct, the Comprehensive Inventory of Mindfulness Experiences (CHIME). Mindfulness is defined as an attitude of nonjudgmental awareness and of guiding awareness towards the present moment. Mindfulness was found instrumental in the context of psychotherapy, and was integrated in contemporary cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, so-called third-wave psychotherapy). At present, the CHIME is available in German, English, Dutch and Turkish versions. An experience-sampling version is also available.
(Questionnaires are downloadable from https://www.embodiment.ch)
