Self-System Therapy (SST): A Theory-Based Psychotherapy for Depression

Abstract

This article introduces Self-System Therapy (SST), a brief, structured psychotherapy for the treatment of depression. SST conceptualizes depression as a failure of selfregulation and is intended for individuals whose depression and/or premorbid functioning are characterized by particular problems in self-regulation. This article provides an overview of SST, including its origins in basic and clinical research on self-discrepancy theory and self-regulation, the hypothesized etiological role of selfregulation in depression, the primary components of the treatment, and comparisons of SST with other psychotherapies for depression. The general structure of a course of treatment with SST is outlined, and a case example is presented to illustrate the goals and strategies of each phase.

Characterization of patients discharged from inpatient treatment for burnout: use of psychological characteristics to identify aftercare needs

“…The guiding question in an incongruence-based case formulation is as follows: What might cause the experience of unfulfilled wishes and/or present adversities (i.e., what might be the sources of incongruence)? If perceived unfulfilled wishes are related to inappropriate strategies for goal pursuit, then it might be helpful to foster the development and/or optimization of more adequate and effective strategies for goal attainment as part of a problem-solving training (Vieth et al, 2003).…”

Self-system therapy as an intervention for self-regulatory dysfunction in depression: A randomized comparison with cognitive therapy.

“…SST is a new therapy designed for depressed individuals unable to pursue promotion goals effectively (see Vieth et al, 2003, for an extended presentation of the rationale, structure, and interventions of SST). SST incorporates techniques from a number of empirically supported psychotherapies (cf.…”

“…In this article, we report a randomized trial of a new therapy for depression, self-system therapy (SST; Vieth et al, 2003). SST is based on a model of depression as a disorder of motivation and goal pursuit resulting from chronic failure to attain certain kinds of personal goals.…”

Anxiety, self-discrepancy, and regulatory focus theory: acculturation matters

“…Clinicians could examine levels of ethnic and dominant acculturation and discuss closeness between the actual and undesired self, especially when this closeness causes distress. When treating highly ethnically assimilated individuals, clinicians could consider incorporating closeness to an undesired self into therapies (such as self-system therapy; please see Vieth et al, 2003, for a detailed description) that were developed based on self-discrepancy and regulatory focus theory. In addition, clinicians should consider that individuals who are highly assimilated to Asian culture may be more likely to use prevention strategies while undergoing treatment and that ought self-discrepancy may operate differently (i.e., not cause significant distress) in individuals who are not highly assimilated to western culture.…”