When the unreal becomes real: An evaluation of personal construct group psychotherapy with survivors of breast cancer

Authors

Lisbeth G. Lane, University of WollongongFollow
Linda L. Viney, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

86098

Publication Details

Lane, L. G. & Viney, L. L. (2006). When the unreal becomes real: An evaluation of personal construct group psychotherapy with survivors of breast cancer. In P. Caputi, H. Foster & L. L. Viney (Eds.), Personal Construct Psychology: New Ideas (pp. 241-251). England: John Wiley & Sons.

Abstract

This chapter reports on the benefits, in terms of decreased levels of negative affect and an increase in positive affect, of a personal construct group therapy developed to work therapeutically with women diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer. What follows is a brief description of the therapy, and then the participants are introduced. Accounts of the research design and measures used precede the presentation of the statistical results. This is followed by an account of the participants' evaluation of their experience of the therapy. Together, the findings suggest that personal construct concepts and practices have much to contribute to current understanding of how we, as therapists, may help women adjust to breast cancer survival.