Common Factors Group Psychotherapy for Mental Illness

Overseen By Drew Whittington, MS, MA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Must not be taking: Narcotics

Disqualifiers: Self-harm, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Hallucinations, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a type of group therapy that employs basic techniques common in most therapies, such as effective listening and communication skills, to assist individuals with various mental health issues. The goal is to determine if these general skills can match the effectiveness of more specialized therapies that require additional training. This trial may suit adults experiencing ongoing psychological distress who have not recently engaged in self-harm. As an unphased study, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could simplify access to effective mental health treatments.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it does mention that participants should not have used narcotics like heroin, meth, crack cocaine, or opioids in the last 7 days.

What prior data suggests that this psychotherapy method is safe for mental health treatment?

Research has shown that group therapy can significantly aid individuals with mental health issues such as depression and schizophrenia. Studies indicate it can be as effective as individual therapy for various issues, including anxiety and grief.

Group therapy helps individuals manage stress, reduce anxiety, and enhance social connections. Most participants find this type of therapy manageable. However, it is not without flaws. Some studies report negative experiences in group settings, possibly due to group dynamics or personal challenges.

Overall, group therapy is generally safe and beneficial for many individuals. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Common Factors Group Psychotherapy because it focuses on the universal elements shared by most psychotherapies, such as listening and communication skills, rather than specific therapeutic techniques. This approach is different from traditional therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which rely on distinct, structured methods. By emphasizing the shared components that make therapy effective, this treatment could streamline mental health care and make it more accessible. It also offers a simplified framework that could be applied to various mental health conditions, potentially making it a versatile tool in the therapist's toolkit.

What evidence suggests that Common Factors Group Psychotherapy is effective for mental illness?

Research has shown that Common Factors Group Psychotherapy, which participants in this trial will receive, can effectively treat various mental health issues. In a study with 98 patients in Austria, this therapy significantly improved symptoms of depression and anxiety. Group therapy matches the effectiveness of individual therapy for many conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and grief. The quality of the relationship between the therapist and the patient, a major focus of this therapy, appears to be key. This suggests that the approach could address a wide range of mental health concerns by using skills common to different types of therapy. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Nicholas Borgogna, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Drew Whittington, MS, MA

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who feel they are struggling with psychological distress, such as anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD or other mental health concerns. It's not suitable for individuals seeking specific types of psychotherapy that require specialized training.

Inclusion Criteria

I am feeling emotionally distressed.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive general psychotherapy using common factors for 6 weeks

6 weeks

Weekly sessions (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Common Factors Group Psychotherapy

Trial Overview

The study tests Common Factors Group Psychotherapy to see if general techniques used in all major forms of psychotherapy can help with various mental disorders without needing specific therapy forms.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Common Factors Group Therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

We will use a general common factors psychotherapy utilizing only psychotherapeutic techniques common to most forms of psychotherapy (e.g., listening and communication skills)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,677

Recruited

2,458,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Group therapy has become more popular due to its effectiveness and cost benefits, but it's crucial to evaluate the psychological risks associated with these interventions.

The author suggests that instead of focusing on single risk factors for negative outcomes in group therapy, an interactional model should be used to better understand and mitigate these risks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse outcomes in group psychotherapy: risk factors, prevention, and research directions. Roback, HB.[2022]

Current clinical trials for behavioral health interventions often do not monitor adverse events as thoroughly as those for medications and medical devices, focusing mainly on serious incidents like suicide attempts and hospitalizations.

There is a need for expanded monitoring of adverse events in psychotherapy trials to better inform patients about potential risks, including temporary increases in anxiety, which are often overlooked but can impact treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The need for expanded monitoring of adverse events in behavioral health clinical trials. Peterson, AL., Roache, JD., Raj, J., et al.[2012]

Group psychotherapy is a versatile treatment method that includes various approaches, such as activity, analytic, and psychodrama, tailored to meet the needs of different patient diagnoses, including drug dependence and schizophrenia.

Patients with different conditions, like depression and neuroses, benefit from group therapy in unique ways; for instance, depressives may take longer to integrate but find relief once they do, while neurotics gain insights that can lead to improved social behavior.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The different kinds of group psychotherapy with patients with different diagnoses. Battegay, R.[2019]

Group psychotherapy is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment method that combines social interaction and psychological insight, allowing patients to explore unconscious motivations and learn from each other in a supportive environment.

The success of group psychotherapy relies more on the therapist's commitment and facilitation skills than on the specific therapeutic approach used, highlighting the importance of a group-centered rather than leader-centered dynamic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Group psychotherapy in psychiatry]. Battegay, R.[2006]

A study involving 98 outpatients in Tyrol, Austria, demonstrated that short-term group psychotherapy significantly improved symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization, with medium to large effect sizes, indicating its effectiveness as a treatment for mental health issues.

The results suggest that treatment expectations play a crucial role in perceived benefits, emphasizing the importance of offering group psychotherapy at no cost to enhance accessibility and support for individuals with mental health challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Large improvement of mental health during in outpatient short-term group psychotherapy treatment-a naturalistic pre-/post-observational study. Riedl, D., Labek, K., Gstrein, I., et al.[2023]

In a study of 180 in-patients undergoing group psychotherapy, 60-65% reported experiencing adverse events such as mood deterioration or unwanted treatment reactions, indicating that these therapies can have significant negative effects for many individuals.

The study found that while reports of unwanted treatment reactions decreased over time, they were negatively associated with symptom improvement, and 34% of patients prematurely terminated their therapy, highlighting the need to consider patient characteristics and group conditions as predictors of adverse events.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events of group psychotherapy in the in-patient setting - results of a naturalistic trial. Schneibel, R., Wilbertz, G., Scholz, C., et al.[2019]

A systematic review of 85 randomized controlled trials involving 14,420 participants found that adverse events (AEs) from psychotherapy can affect more than 10% of participants, with serious AEs occurring in more than 1 in 21 participants.

The study highlighted that the reporting and recording of AEs were inconsistent across trials, suggesting a need for standardized harm monitoring to better evaluate the risks and benefits of psychotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events in psychotherapy randomized controlled trials: A systematic review. Klatte, R., Strauss, B., Flückiger, C., et al.[2023]

Brief group psychotherapy has shown effectiveness in treating various adult patient conditions, as supported by a review of controlled and comparison studies.

The paper highlights barriers to implementing brief group interventions and recommends increasing their use in managed mental health settings to improve patient care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief group treatment and managed mental health care. Rosenberg, SA., Zimet, CN.[2019]

Group psychotherapy is an effective and resource-efficient treatment option for common psychological issues, particularly for patients with problematic interpersonal relationships, impulsive behaviors, or transference issues that may hinder individual therapy.

The success of group therapy heavily relies on the support and belief of the referring physician, who plays a key role in facilitating the patient's transition to this therapeutic modality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whom to refer for group psychotherapy. Grunebaum, H., Kates, W.[2019]

In a study involving six long-term outpatient psychotherapy groups, both patients and therapists emphasized the importance of self-understanding, self-disclosure, and learning from interpersonal actions as key therapeutic factors.

However, there was a notable difference in how patients and therapists perceived the overall importance of these factors in the therapy process, indicating a potential gap in understanding therapeutic dynamics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perceptions by patients and therapists of therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy. Bloch, S., Reibstein, J.[2019]

Inpatient-outpatient group psychotherapy combines both inpatient and outpatient approaches, which may enhance treatment effectiveness for patients compared to standard methods.

This therapeutic method is evaluated for its applicability in standard treatment, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to contemporary psychotherapy practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Inpatient-ambulatory psychoanalytic group therapy, a useful concept]. Senf, W.[2009]

Increasing attendance in group psychotherapy from one to two sessions per day for 2,782 inpatients led to improved patient and staff-rated outcomes and reduced readmission rates within one month of discharge.

Despite the positive effects on outcomes, patient satisfaction ratings decreased, suggesting that while more therapy sessions can enhance treatment effectiveness, it may not always align with patient preferences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Best practices: increased attendance in inpatient group psychotherapy improves patient outcomes. Page, AC., Hooke, GR.[2022]

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