Jeanne Watson elected to prestigious psychotherapy post

November 20, 2012

 

By Fred Michah Rynor

Jeanne Watson, Associate Dean, Programs, has been elected General Vice-President of the Society of Psychotherapy Research (SPR).

Watson will serve on the Executive Committee for four years with her term as President-Elect running from 2013 to 2014 and as President from 2014 to 2015.

 "I had been asked by a number of members in the past if I would allow my name to be put forth for this position and I'm delighted and honoured to be selected," says Watson who received the Outstanding Early Achievement Award from the Society in 2002. She is considered one of the world's leading experts on emotion-focused psychotherapy and has been with OISE since 1996.

Watson is already serving on the program committee for next year's conference in Australia and the following year will serve as Program Chair for the conference to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Throughout her association with the SPR she'll promote psychotherapy research and increase global input and activity in support of the Society's goals and mandate.

"We're currently represented in Europe, Latin America, Canada, Australia and the United States but we would like to extend our reach and encourage more collaboration and participation with colleagues in Africa and Asia," Watson states. "As well, I want to fully promote psychotherapy research to develop a better understanding of the effective processes of change in psychotherapy including the role of empathy and emotional processing."

The Society for Psychotherapy Research is a multidisciplinary scientific association whose members conduct research in order to support the development and knowledge of this practice through communication among researchers via scientific meetings, conferences and its journal, Psychotherapy Research.

Psychotherapy, of which there are numerous forms, consists primarily of talking with a therapist to help resolve emotional and behavioural problems. "It facilitates the symbolization of, and reflection on, experiences in conscious awareness to facilitate change in ways of behaving and interacting with others," says Watson. "There are numerous different approaches to work with different populations including children, youth, adults and couples."

Watson has conducted a number of outcome studies, the most recent of which was a randomized clinical trial at the University of Toronto that established the effectiveness of emotion-focused psychotherapy in the treatment of depression.

She has also co-authored a number of books including 'Person-Centered and Experimental Therapies Work', 'Case Studies in the Experimental Treatment of Depression: A Comparison of Good and Bad Outcomes',  'Learning Emotion-Focused Psychotherapy: The Process-Experiential Approach to Change', and 'Expressing Emotion: Myths, Realities and Therapeutic Strategies'.

As well, she teaches numerous courses at U of T including 'Practicum in Counselling', 'Seminar in Counselling' , 'Theories and Techniques of Counselling' and 'Research Methods in Counselling Psychology'.

"This appointment is a fantastic tribute to Jeanne and represents an important landmark in her career," said OISE Dean Julia O'Sullivan.

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