The nocebo effect is a concerning phenomenon in which adverse outcomes are triggered by the treatment context. Faasse (2019) summarises recent evidence on mechanisms of the nocebo effect, proposes an updated model, and describes emerging techniques for reducing the nocebo effect. Faasse's model marks an important advance over prior models focussing only on expectancy and classical conditioning by incorporating the role of anxiety, which emerging evidence indicates can mediate the nocebo effect. The review also emphasises the importance of preventing the nocebo effect, given its resistance to extinction, as well as the need for translational research, both of which are timely points. However, the review also raises two challenges for nocebo research. The first concerns the conceptualisation of expectancy, with Faasse's model appearing to combine expectancy and verbal information into a single node. Such an approach suggests that verbal information necessarily and only elicits nocebo effects via expectancy, which may not hold true. The second concerns distinguishing genuine nocebo effects from misattribution. Faasse's review intentionally focuses only on the former, but it is argued that understanding the latter is necessary to accurately estimate the true cost of the nocebo effect as well as for prioritising interventions to minimise non‐medication side effects. As such, in addition to Faasse's call for translational research—which I fully support—I propose that key nocebo research goals should be to understand how verbal information elicits nocebo effects outside of expectancy and to tease apart genuine nocebo effects and misattributed adverse symptoms.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify dual‐process cognitive profiles in an Australian sample and to examine how the profiles were associated with substance use and treatment outcomes.MethodA total of 242 adults were recruited using convenience sampling (n = 123) and from a substance abuse treatment program (n = 119). All participants completed a web‐based survey that included the Rational‐Experiential Inventory and substance use measures. In‐treatment participants also completed treatment outcome measures.ResultsCluster analysis of 242 rational and experiential thinking style scores identified four profiles comprising individuals who reported high rationality and low experientiality, low rationality and high experientiality, high rationality and high experientiality, or low rationality and low experientiality. Profiles that included low rationality reported the highest substance use and were overrepresented by in‐treatment participants. Profiles that included high rationality were associated with the best treatment outcomes, even when accompanied by high experientiality.ConclusionsThese findings are in line with dual‐process theory and suggest that: (a) individuals who are at risk of abusing substances may benefit from strategies that increase cognitive control, and (b) treatment programs may produce better outcomes if they incorporate strategies to increase cognitive control.

ObjectiveSocially prescribed perfectionism is considered an important contributor to eating disorder (ED) development and maintenance. Despite this fact, it is unclear how social groups apply this pressure to be perfect, and how this pressure originates and manifests. Our research sought to clarify how group membership relates to perfectionism in EDs.MethodUsing a Social Identity Approach to understand how social identities (i.e., identities arising from group membership) relate to perfectionism in EDs, we performed semi‐structured interviews with 10 Australian women (ages: 19–34) in recovery from EDs.ResultsUsing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, we found participants suggested personal perfectionism (manifested as self‐control) developed from family standards. Conversely, social perfectionism was a role born from social norms embedded in relevant social groups, and provided definition for perfection. Greater flexibility in defining perfection broadly was reported as important to recovery.ConclusionThe results support taking a Social Identity Approach to perfectionism and recovery in EDs. Our research suggests that clinicians should focus on redefining social norms as a potential method to reducing the negative consequences of perfectionism, potentially through the use of group cognitive behavioural therapy to change perfectionism definitions.

ObjectiveTo provide outcome benchmarks for evaluating student psychologist‐led training clinics providing outpatient adult cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for high prevalence disorders, and illustrate their application to the evaluation of a South Australian community mental health‐based psychology training clinic: The Centre for Treatment of Anxiety and Depression (CTAD).MethodStudy 1 derived aggregated uncontrolled effect sizes and clinically significant change rates for the CBT and control conditions of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), with critical values for demonstrating equivalence to RCTs and superiority to control conditions for anxiety disorders and depression. Study 2 provided benchmarks for demonstrating equivalence, and superiority to other student clinics. Study 3 calculated outcome effect sizes and clinically significant change rates of 342 consecutive CTAD clients allocated to student psychologists between 2009 and 2015, who provided at least two questionnaires, attended at least three sessions and were primarily seen by a student therapist. Aggregated point prevalence estimates of key demographic characteristics of studies contributing to benchmarks were provided.ResultsRCT CBT produced higher effect sizes than student clinics, but similar rates of clinically significant change. The application of benchmarking to CTAD illustrated that evaluations of student psychologist effectiveness would differ depending on the benchmark used.ConclusionWe have provided best‐available benchmarks for evaluating student‐led adult outpatient CBT which we encourage other student clinics to adopt. The benchmarking approach provided a profile of CTAD's strengths and weaknesses. Examples of how benchmark comparisons could be used to inform service improvement were provided.

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been targets of social and emotional wellbeing programs for many years. However, the few health‐care programs and services that are evaluated rarely provide insight into the participants' perspectives of program success or failure. This systematic review assessed 33 social and emotional wellbeing programs across Australia to better understand what Aboriginal community members think about the programs and how they could be improved. Results highlighted the interesting and valuable insights provided by Aboriginal participants, including what kinds of program activities and approaches are most suitable, what program characteristics are successful or desired, and their experiences of wellbeing change before and after program participation. They likewise voiced opinions about poorly received programs, culturally inappropriate services and negative experiences. This review highlighted how health and wellbeing programs must better engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients to ensure that services are culturally safe, holistic, integrate appropriate staffing, include culturally relevant activities and value patient/participant experiences. These findings have significant implications for the health and wellbeing sector; specifically, research, policy, program design and implementation, evaluation methods, and self‐determination.

ObjectiveAccording to Diener (1984), wellbeing is a multi‐faceted concept reflecting satisfaction with life, good physical health, and fewer negative psychological symptoms. Using data from a 10‐year longitudinal study of school leavers (n = 390), we examine whether people aged 25 can be differentiated into clusters based on indicators of wellbeing, then whether membership in the healthy as opposed to the less healthy cluster can be predicted by age 15 variables.MethodTested predictor variables at age 15 captured the major influences in Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory (1979) including individual, family, and social influences. Young adults (age 25) were differentiated into two clusters based on indicators of mental health and subjective wellbeing.ResultsPoorer health, self‐image, family functioning, and peer relations at age 15 predicted poorer overall wellbeing at age 25.ConclusionsResults underscore the potential value of psychological support for adolescents within the school environment and the early identification of individuals at risk of problems which may persist into adulthood.

International research is increasingly demonstrating that psychedelic‐assisted psychotherapy can enhance psychotherapeutic outcomes and be effective for some treatment‐refractory mental illnesses; however, there is an absence of any such research in Australia. A review of psychedelic science has been conducted with a focus on psychedelic‐assisted psychotherapy to highlight the degree to which such research is occurring overseas. While some studies are in their early stages and the methods are undergoing continuous refinement, other areas are more advanced, including 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine‐assisted psychotherapy which is commencing Phase III clinical trials. In all cases, evidence is mounting that psychedelics hold promise in enhancing psychotherapy and furthering current understandings of the brain. Given that there is no psychedelic science program in Australia, we propose that Australian psychologists join the global biomedical community and engage in formal psychedelic research.