Mapping the dynamics of therapeutic change

Keller, Viktoria (2025): Mapping the dynamics of therapeutic change: theoretical foundations of Schiepek’s dynamic systems approach. Dissertation, LMU München: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences

Abstract

This dissertation provides a theoretical foundation for the dynamic, nonlinear model of psychotherapy developed by Günter Schiepek, first introduced in Schiepek et al. (2017). Grounded in common factors research, the model conceptualizes psychotherapeutic change through five key variables (states) and four parameters (traits), interconnected by 16 functions that describe fundamental mechanisms of change. The core variables include Insight (I), Motivation to Change (M), Emotions (E), Problem Intensity (P), and Success (S). The parameters comprise cognitive competencies (c), behavioral skills (r), motivation to change as a trait (m), and therapeutic alliance (a). By systematically linking these components to established theories in psychotherapy and psychology, this dissertation offers a comprehensive synthesis of the current theoretical landscape in psychotherapy research. Through this integrative approach, the work contributes to the advancement of psychotherapy theory by providing a structured framework for understanding change processes.

Abstract

Die Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der theoretischen Fundierung des dynamischen, non-linearen Modells der Psychotherapie von Günter Schiepek, zuerst vorgestellt in Schiepek et al. (2017). Basierend auf der Common Factors Forschung, umfasst das Modell fünf Variablen (States) und vier Parameter (Traits), die mit 25 Funktionen in Verbindung gebracht werden, welche Veränderungsmechanismen des psychotherapeutischen Prozesses beschreiben. Die Variablen sind I (Insight), M (Motivation to Change), E (Emotions), P (Problem Intensity), S (Success). Die Parameter sind c (cognitive competencies), r (behavioral skills), m (motivation to change as trait), a (therapeutic alliance). Die Variablen, Parameter und die Funktionen werden mit diversen zentralen Theorien aus Psychotherapie und Psychologie verknüpft, sodass eine Übersichtsarbeit über die aktuelle Theorielandschaft der Psychotherapie entsteht.

• Item Type: Theses (Dissertation, LMU Munich)
• Keywords: psychotherapy processes, common factors, psychotherapy integration, complexity science, process-based psychotherapy
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology; 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 150 Psychology
• Faculties: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
• Language: English
• Date of oral examination: 10. February 2025
• 1. Referee: Schiepek, Günter
• Signature of the printed copy: 0001/UMC 31158