Exploring the processes of connection and disconnection in imagery work in a patient with depression and dependent personality disorder.

Imagery work is a useful therapeutic tool in the treatment of depression. It is central in different therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and compassion-focused therapy. The clinical case of Cynthia is presented. Cynthia started therapy for severe depression associated with social anxiety and dependent personality disorder. At different key moments in the therapy, the proposed change strategies led to ruptures in the therapeutic alliance. For example, difficulties in accepting depression, fears of being judged by the therapist, guided imagery of compassion and work on the termination of therapy were both triggers of ruptures and spaces for working on the issues linked to the therapeutic relationship. The interactions between different factors of the therapeutic relationship from the perspectives of both the patient and therapist and the implementation of imagery practices in session are presented.

Validation of the French version of the Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale.

BACKGROUND: Self-criticism and self-reassurance are internal processes of self-to-self relating that have received increasing attention in psychology. The Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), which was first studied by Gilbert, Clarke, Hempel, Miles, and Irons, is a self-report instrument that has been used in various populations and has shown satisfactory reliability. The goal of this work is to explore the psychometric properties of a French version of the scale in a large nonclinical sample. METHOD: Data from 285 nonclinical participants were analysed. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an acceptable to good fit of the FSCRS items to a three-factor model. Good internal consistency and convergent validity were found. CONCLUSIONS: The French validation results corroborate previous findings in a nonclinical population and confirm that the French version of the FSCRS is a robust and reliable instrument.