Abstract

YOSHIDA, Elisa Medici Pizão. Short-term psychotherapy and prevention: adaptive effectiveness and dimensions of change. Temas psicol. [online]. 1999, vol.7, n.2, pp. 119-129. ISSN 1413-389X.

This paper discusses the integrated use of the concepts of adaptive effectiveness by Ryad Simon and those of change dimensions from the trans-theoretical approach, which are used as a criterion for short-term psychotherapies (S-TPs), in mental health preventive programs. It suggestes that to be efficient an S-TP should: 1. respond to an specific call for help; 2. take into consideration adaptive resources; 3. ascertain if they are sufficient to initiate the changing process; 4. fit the patient's readiness for changing. The paper also suggested changes in Simon's preventive program due to his recent proposals to assess adaptation. Besides, it presented the three changing dimensions of the trans-theoretical approach (processes, stages and levels), with emphasis on the stages (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and termination). It provided alternatives of psychotherapeutic interventions in each modality of adaptation, as far as the contemplation stage has been reached. Finally, it was concluded proposing future researches to examine the empirical value of these suggestions.

Keywords : prevention in mental health; short-term psychotherapy; change.

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