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| Utilization of Standard Measurement in a Clinical Behavior Therapy: History, Practice, and Training Implications |
| Sunday, May 25, 2014 |
| 4:00 PM–4:50 PM |
| W185a (McCormick Place Convention Center) |
| Area: PRA/CSE; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: W. Larry Williams (University of Nevada, Reno) |
| Abstract: Current psychotherapy practices utilize self-report measures such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in order to detect clinically relevant changes in psychological symptoms. These measures, while psychometrically valid, are proxies to behavior change in that they do not provide information regarding how the client is interacting differently with their environment. While third wave behavioral treatments such as FAP and ACT emphasize behavioral practices, their measures do not reflect inductive and data-based single subject designs. Symptomatic self-report measures are used not only by psychological professionals, but also medical professional when evaluating the effects of various treatments including medical interventions. This emphasis on symptoms rather than behaviors and behavior change, runs somewhat contrary to the underlying principles of behavior-based clinical practices. Early behavior analytic practices, at times, did focus on the behavior of social maladapted and psychotic behaviors, with some success. This presentation focuses on the use of standard behavior measurement practices in past clinical use, and discusses its potential for future use, specifically with respect to the Standard Celeration Chart. |
| Keyword(s): Celeration Chart, FAP, Precision Teaching, Psychotherapy |
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| An Overview of Standard Celeration Charting and the Advantages of Standard Measurement in Clinical and Training Settings |
| STUART M. LAW (University of Nevada, Reno) |
| Abstract: A brief history and explanation of the Standard Celeration Chart will be presented, particularly with respect to training procedures and various utilizations outside of academically oriented Precision Teaching settings. Even when fluency is not a goal per se, measuring behavior as it occurs in time can have benefits in teaching staff to behave with respect to data produced by their treatments. Common current behavior analytic treatments utilize datasheets, which are entered by case managers, in which case direct-care staff are not in contact with relevant data. There are many instances in which the chart is utilized outside of academic settings or train staff within academic institutions. These trainings can be effective as staff are able to behave with respect to data, and make inductive decisions regarding their own behavior. This discussion will also familiarize people as to why standard measurement tools could effective in evaluating treatment outcomes and performance measures in a therapeutic environment |
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| A Review of Single-Subject Treatments in Clinical Settings, and the Utility of Standard Measurement in Historical and Current Outpatient Practices |
| BRIAN JAMES FEENEY (Complete Behavior Health, LLC) |
| Abstract: The effectiveness of Precision Teaching tools and methods associated with fluency have been demonstrated within education settings. Initial development and use of these tools began with in-patient clinical populations as early as the 1960’s. However, these tools and methods have received little attention from the mental health community since then. Current mental health outpatient services typically utilize self-report measures in order to detect clinically relevant changes and utilization of formal data collection procedures may be challenging due to restrictions with funding and time. The use of the Celeration Chart and temporal measurement of behavior may have the potential to be applied to a variety of behavior therapies and outpatient mental health settings. Areas of application may include staff training, client behavior, therapist behavior, assessment, testing, and case conceptualization. This presentation reviews the current state of the literature with regards to the application of fluency and Precision Teaching to behaviorally based therapeutic services and outpatient mental health care settings. Gaps in the literature will be identified and suggestions for application will be provided. |
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| Potential Application of Standard Measurement in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy |
| ALEXANDROS MARAGAKIS (University of Nevada, Reno) |
| Abstract: Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is a behaviorally based therapy that focuses on shaping clients' complex interpersonal behavior. Unlike many evidence based therapies, FAP currently lacks a treatment manual that provides a step-by-step method of how to conduct therapy. This lack of a treatment manual makes outcome and treatment fidelity studies difficult to conduct, therefore impeding the collection of evidence for the utility of FAP. However, this lack of a treatment manual is also beneficial in that it theoretically allows therapist to shape their own behavior to match the needs of the client in order to become a meaningful source of contingencies, and in turn, increase or decrease Clinically Relevant Behaviors (CRBs). This discussion investigates the potential utility of introducing the Standard Celeration Chart to measure both the CRBs of the client and the therapist. The implications of using the chart in regards to potential training and case conceptualization issues will also be discussed. |
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