What is “Eclectic?”
(as in an ECLECTIC approach in therapy)
Definition (Encarta
Dictionary)
1. varied – made
up of parts from various sources (such as an eclectic collection of paintings)
2. choosing what
is best or preferred from a variety of sources or styles (such as an eclectic taste in music)
Synonym: diverse, extensive, wide-ranging, assorted
Two articles
that use and discuss an eclectic therapy approach:
1)
Livesley, J. (2008). Integrated therapy for
complex cases of personality disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 64(2),
207-221. doi:10.1002/jclp.20453
Abstract: In this article, the author presents and
illustrates the treatment of a patient with dependent and borderline
personality disorders and other maladaptive traits using an integrated and eclectic
approach tailored to the patient's psychopathology and personality.
Interventions are selected where possible based on evidence of what works.
However, because empirical evidence on treatment efficacy for personality
disorder is limited, interventions were often selected based on a rational
analysis of the most effective way to treat a given problem. The delivery of an
eclectic array of interventions was integrated and coordinated through
an emphasis on generic methods and on a phases of change model that targets
symptoms and problems in a systematic way based on evidence of the stability of
symptoms and personality.
2)
Lancaster, G., Keusch, S., Levin, A., Pring,
T., & Martin, S. (2010). Treating children with phonological problems: does
an eclectic approach to therapy
work?. International Journal Of Language & Communication Disorders, 45(2),
174-181. doi:10.3109/13682820902818888
Abstract: Background: A survey of clinicians made by Joffe and Pring in 2008 revealed
that different approaches exist between researchers and clinicians in the
treatment of children with phonological problems. Researchers have examined specific
approaches to treatment often giving substantial amounts of therapy and have
obtained encouraging results; clinicians, with less time available, often use
an eclectic approach mixing
different treatment methods. The reasons for this difference are discussed.
Aims: We examined the effectiveness of an eclectic approach giving amounts of therapy more consistent with
clinical practice and involving parents in treating their children.
Methods
& Procedures: We report two small experiments conducted
within Speech and Language Therapy clinics. In the first, a group of treated children are
compared with a group of children whose treatment is delayed. Parents attended therapy sessions and were given homework
tasks to do with their children. The second compared children treated as in the first experiment with children
treated at home by their parents who had attended training sessions and with untreated children.
Outcomes
& Results: In the first experiment, a general trend
towards improvement was seen in all children. Change during treatment periods was statistically
significant. In the second experiment, children treated by therapists showed strongly significant gains. Lesser but
significant gains were made by children treated by their parents; no change was found in untreated children.
Conclusions
& Implications: The findings offer encouragement to clinicians
who use an eclectic approach and who
are only able to offer limited amounts of therapy. They also suggest that
parental involvement is helpful. However, we find the current incompatibility of research and
clinical work worrying and a hindrance to our efforts to understand and treat these children.
What
this paper adds: Phonological impairment in children has been a particularly active
research area with many authors advocating, and in some cases, assessing the
effects of different forms of therapy. However, there is evidence that clinicians
are largely unwilling to commit to one method and use an eclectic approach which combines therapy techniques from different sources.
It is important that this approach is shown to be effective. We report two
small experiments which obtain positive results for the method and which
suggest that a larger and better controlled study should be undertaken.
(prepared by Mary R. Noble, PhD; Dec. 2011)
