Client-Centered Body Psychotherapy (GFK) - an Effectiveness Study

Authors

  • Barbara Müller-Hofer
  • Christiane Geiser
  • Ernst Juchli
  • Anton-Rupert Laireiter

Abstract

The GFK method is a client-centered body psychotherapy method integrating elements of verbal communication (according to C. Rogers), focusing (E.T. Gendlin) and body psychotherapy (referring to W. Reich). It is mostly applied in private practices and has been developed by Ch. Geiser and E. Juchli (Wil/CH). The outcomes and the effectiveness of GFK have not been tested empirically so far. Thus, the present study is the first trial to evaluate GFK's outcomes empirically using a Phase IV- or effectiveness-design (according to M.E.P. Seligman). In addition to well established instruments (self-ratings of patients and therapists) such as SCL-90-R, IIP-D, BDI, BAI, B-L, and GAF questionnaires on life-satisfaction, psychological impairments in different areas of living, and on the global effectiveness of the therapy were used. For the assessment of the therapists' fidelity to the method (GFK) and of therapy process specific instruments were constructed.

The study started with 34 clients, 7 of these had finished their treatment after 6 months, 17 after one year, and 10 had dropped out prior to the regular ending of the therapies. Drop-outs and clients did not differ in socio-demographic and disease-characteristics, nor did clients of this study compared with those of other effectiveness studies from literature. The most prevailing diagnoses were affective disorders, neurotic and somatoform disorders (F3 and F4 according to ICD-10). Statistically significant improvements with medium to high effect sizes was found in most of the scales and the ratings by the therapists. Approximately 60-80% of the clients improved in a clinically significant way through their therapies.

It is concluded that GFK is an effective psychotherapeutic strategy.

Keywords:
Psychotherapy; Client-centered psychotherapy; Focusing; Body psychotherapy; Client-centered body psychotherapy; Psychotherapy research; Effectiveness; Therapy process.

Author Biographies

Barbara Müller-Hofer

Barbara Müller-Hofer, geb. 1951, Studium der Psychologie in Salzburg, Atempädagogin und Atemtherapeutin (IAB-Methode Klara Wolf) in eigener Praxis seit 1981. ln Ausbildung zur Klientenzentrierten Gesprächs- und Körperpsychotherapeutin GFK.

Korrespondenz: Barbara Müller-Hofer, Hauptstrasse 92, CH-8272 Ermatingen, Schweiz 

Christiane Geiser

Christiane Geiser Juchli, geb. 1949, Universitätsstudium mit Abschluss lic. phil. I in Germanistik, Geschichte und Philosophie in Bochum und Zürich, langjährige Unterrichtstätigkeit an Gymnasien, Therapieausbildungen (Gesprächspsychotherapie, Körpertherapie, Focusing, NLP, Biosynthese bei David Boadella). Langjährige Praxis als Klientenzentrierte Geprächs- und Körperpsychotherapeutin SPV/VOPT/EABP in Zürich und Wil SG. Instituts- und Ausbildungsleitung GFK, Supervisorin, Focusing-Ausbilderin im Focusing Netzwerk, Koordinatorin des International Focusing Institute New York, Vortragstätigkeit.

Ernst Juchli

Ernst Juchli, geb. 1944, ausgebildeter Primarlehrer, dann Universitätsstudium mit Abschluss dipl. math. in Mathematik und Physik in Zürich, Lehrer, Arbeit in der Lehrerausbildung, Therapieausbildungen (Charakteranalyse, Vegetotherapie, Gesprächspsychotherapie und Focusing). Langjährige Praxis als Klientenzentrierter Gesprächs- und Körperpsychotherapeut SPV/ EABP in Zürich und Wil SG. Ausbildungsleitung GFK, Supervisor, Focusing-Ausbilder im Focusing Netzwerk, Vortragstätigkeit.

Anton-Rupert Laireiter

Ass.-Prof. Dr. Anton-Rupert Laireiter,Institut für Psychologie, geb. 1955; Klinischer Psychologe, Psychotherapeut; Leiter der Beratungsstelle für Klinische Psychologie, Psychotherapie und Gesundheitspsychologie am Institut für Psychologie, Universität Salzburg; Forschungsinteressen: Psychotherapieforschung (Evaluation, Qualitätssicherung, Ausbildung); soziale Beziehungen und soziale Unterstützung; Ausbildner und Supervisor in Verhaltenstherapie.

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Published

2003-04-01

How to Cite

Müller-Hofer, B., Geiser, C., Juchli, E., & Laireiter, A.-R. (2003). Client-Centered Body Psychotherapy (GFK) - an Effectiveness Study. Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, 11(2), 80–91. Retrieved from https://psychotherapie-wissenschaft.info/article/view/433

Issue

No. 2 (2003): Psychotherapie Forum 11/2 (veröffentlicht bei Springer Wien New York)

Section

Special Issue

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