The intensification and resolution of blocked affect in an experiential psychotherapy

Abstract

Focused Expressive Psychotherapy is a Gestalt-based method of psychotherapy which is designed to facilitate the resolution of constricted emotion in patients. This form of therapy is described as a five-step process. The present article addresses the steps of that process which relate specifically to the intensification and resolution of emotions. The importance and rationale for intensification are discussed and related to the concept of restructured schematic memories. Markers of resolution are identified as changes in 'benchmarks', changes in patient behaviour or attitude, and/or a reevaluated stance towards past events. We conclude by citing one of our recent research efforts that demonstrates a relationship between the intensification of emotion and positive therapy outcome.

Change in emotion-regulation strategy for women with metastatic breast cancer following supportive-expressive group therapy.

“…Many models of psychotherapy assume that emotional expression is a necessary, but not sufficient, step toward greater psychological integration and interpersonal effectiveness, should result in decreases in psychopathology (Daldrup, Engle, Holiman, & Beutler, 1994;Gendlin, 1969;Greenberg & Safran, 1984;Linehan, 1993;Mahrer, 1986;Perls, Hefferline, & Goodman, 1951;Reich, 1949;Rogers, 1951), and should allow for a "corrective emotional experience" (Yalom, 1980). Many models of psychotherapy assume that emotional expression is a necessary, but not sufficient, step toward greater psychological integration and interpersonal effectiveness, should result in decreases in psychopathology (Daldrup, Engle, Holiman, & Beutler, 1994;Gendlin, 1969;Greenberg & Safran, 1984;Linehan, 1993;Mahrer, 1986;Perls, Hefferline, & Goodman, 1951;Reich, 1949;Rogers, 1951), and should allow for a "corrective emotional experience" (Yalom, 1980).…”

“…Research has shown that catharsis alone is rarely as effective as emotional expression within a cognitive or meaning framework. Treatment seeks to move toward ownership and expression of underlying primary negative affect gradually reducing or transforming the expression of aggressive, irresponsible, or inconsiderate impulses (Daldrup et al, 1994;Greenberg, 1993;Greenberg & Webster, 1982). Greenberg and Foerster (1996) argued that primary emotions (fear, sadness, anger; Greenberg & Safran, 1989) are fundamentally adaptive and that accessing them in therapy activates a schematic structure making it available for restructuring.…”

Psychological advocacy toward healing (PATH): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…The training addresses the psychological impacts of DVA on women and develops therapeutic skills specifically tailored for this client group. SPAs are trained to work with women with common presenting problems within a single-session model [23] using a session structure (finding a focus for work, obtaining a commitment to work, working on a specific topic, evaluation of progress and homework) based on the work of Daldrup and colleagues [24]. Topics covered include posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, unresolved anger and managing loss.…”

Counselling children using a multiple intelligences framework

“…Kegan (1982, p. 267) stated that the process of counselling could "… be viewed as involving the loss of the old self and the dying of a way to know the world which no longer works... Daldrup et al (1994) described a similar process to integration but spoke in Piagetian terms of replacing old schematic structure with new schematic structures. Greenberg, Rice, and Elliott (1993) stated that the emotional schema were complex and that there was a need to draw together the affect, cognition, motivation and action.…”

“…Figure 4 has been constructed to show a three-stage model for the integration of cognition and emotion using Gardner's (1983) theory of multiple intelligences. Daldrup et al (1994) has suggested that emotion can be expressed in therapy in a number of ways through intellectual processing, attending to the physical-sensory mechanisms of the body as an organism, the body then physically acting out the emotion, by emotional awareness and expression and by energising the flow of tears or rage within the body. Kohlberg (1969) has provided a cognitive approach to moral development (in boys), emphasising the effect that cognitive thought can have on the development of moral viewpoints.…”