From Theory to Practice: A Transtheoretical Treatment and Training Model (4TM)

Authors

  • Wolfgang Lutz Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Brian Schwartz Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Anne-Katharina Deisenhofer Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Jana Schaffrath Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Steffen T. Eberhardt Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Jana Bommer Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Antonia Vehlen Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Danilo Moggia Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Kaitlyn Poster Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Birgit Weinmann-Lutz Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany
  • Julian A. Rubel Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany
  • Miriam I. Hehlmann Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Trier University, Trier, Germany

Abstract

Background: In this paper, we present the conceptual background and clinical implications of a research-based transtheoretical treatment and training model (4TM). Method: The model implements findings from psychotherapy outcome, process, and feedback research into a clinical and training framework that is open to future research. Results: The framework is based on interventions targeting patient processes on a behavioral, cognitive, emotional, motivational, interpersonal, and systemic/socio-cultural level. The 4TM also includes a data-based decision support and feedback system called the Trier Treatment Navigator (TTN). Conclusion: We discuss important problems associated with clinical orientations solely based on one school of thought. We then contrast these concerns with a clinical and training framework that embraces ongoing research, serving as a guiding structure for process-based transtheoretical interventions. Such research-based psychological therapy can take both traditional and novel clinical developments as well as findings from psychotherapy research into account and be adaptively disseminated to a variety of patient populations.