Experiential Techniques Research Articles

Experiential techniques and therapeutic relationship in metacognitive interpersonal therapy: A contribution to the unified protocol.

Experiential techniques and therapeutic relationship in metacognitive interpersonal therapy: A contribution to the unified protocol.

Perceptions of Higher Education Teachers Concerning Experiential Learning: An Exploratory Inquiry

Experiential learning leads to intense and profound learning by involving students in any task. Employers prefer graduates who have learnt through various forms of experiential learning. However, in current academic scenario in higher education, experiential learning in higher education institutions is still restricted.Therefore,the major aim of the current work was to explore insights of university teachers regarding experiential learning in terms of their awareness of experiential learning, classroom practices and challenges to implement in classroom This study polled teachers across the general public sector universities of Punjab, Pakistan via thirteen questions based survey involving 208 teachers. The study concluded that collaborative learning is widely used strategy in the classroom as compared to other approaches of experiential learning. Classroom structure, such as overcrowded class, inadequate time, challenge to complete the syllabus, and teachers’ own reluctant attitude, were found to be the most significant barriers to utilize experiential techniques in classroom. Therefore, the study recommends to divide a large number of students in groups for better implementation of various form of experiential learning like project-based learning. Science departments be provided sufficient funding to involve students in project-based learning. Students be provided hands-on experiences in classroom and labs.

Short-term, manualized schema-focused group therapy for patients with CBT-resistant disorders within primary care: a pilot study with a naturalistic pre-treatment and post-treatment design.

The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a short-term, manualized schema therapy group for 77 patients with CBT-resistant mood and/or anxiety and/or personality disorders (PDs) in primary care. The primary focus was on the effects of this treatment on Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS), schema modes, and psychological well-being. These aspects were assessed pre-and post-treatment treatment using the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ), the Schema Mode Inventory version 1.1 (SMI), and the Symptom Questionnaire-48 (SQ-48). The treatment consisted of 16 sessions, incorporating cognitive, behavioral, and experiential techniques. EMS significantly decreased from pre-treatment to post-treatment, as along with maladaptive schema modes. Adaptive modes increased, as did psychological wellbeing. There were no significant differences between the DSM-5 classifications regarding changes in the aforementioned measures, except for the maladaptive modes, where the value of the corrected within-subject effect indicated a significant interaction. Post hoc comparisons were therefore conducted which showed that patients with a mood disorder experienced more positive changes in maladaptive modes compared to patients with anxiety disorders and PDs (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between those with PDs and those with Anxiety Disorders. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that short-term, manualized schema therapy might be an effective treatment for patients with CBT-resistant mood and/or anxiety and/or PDs in primary care.

Intervenção no apego inseguro para o tratamento da dor crônica idiopática em Pediatria

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain is a public health problem with a high prevalence in children and adolescents. It causes high health costs and severe burden to the quality of life of patients and their families. Since the 1950s, it has been found that primary caregiver-child attachment is paramount for the overall health of individuals and can interfere with the occurrence of several mental and physical disorders, including chronic pain. CASE REPORT: Two female teenagers with a history of mixed, idiopathic and disabling chronic pain for more than two years, culminating in hospitalization. They received an interdisciplinary approach in the first 24 hours of admission, especially from Psychology, which, since the first contact, identified significant stressors in childhood of both, including attachment insecurity, and engaged them into experiential techniques, relaxation techniques and limited reparenting, resulting in lower intensity of pain, lower need for analgesic drugs and lower disability in the first days of hospitalization and, consequently, resulting on hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Chronic idiopathic pain in Pediatrics should be addressed by an interdisciplinary team, since the beginning. It should be recognized that the psychological component, especially the issue of insecure attachment, could be very important in etiopathogenesis, perpetuation and severity of chronic pain in many patients, so that addressing it is fundamental for therapeutic success. In addition to accelerate the recovery of the functionality and well-being of those affected, this strategy has the potential to reduce healthcare costs.

Chronic pain management in fibromyalgia: the INTEGRO (INTEGRated Psychotherapeutic InterventiOn) protocol and its application on two case studies.

To present an innovative integrated manualized psychotherapeutic intervention for fibromyalgia (FM) based on cognitive and behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and somatic experiential techniques (namely the INTEGRated Psychotherapeutic InterventiOn, INTEGRO) and illustrate its application on two case studies. INTEGRO is composed of 12 individual sessions. The main objectives of the intervention were psychoeducation of chronic pain mechanisms, understanding the role of cognitive and emotional variables in one's pain perception, teaching patient-tailored skills to increase pain awareness and its management, and learning how to live with pain experience. A 57-year-old woman (patient A) and a 26-year-old woman (patient B) with FM have been selected to describe their care pathways connected to the INTEGRO protocol. Data related to assessment variables and clinical processes have been reported, focusing on the mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance (i.e., avoidance or overcompensation) of chronic pain in FM, on the role of patients' naïf theories, and on the implications that all these aspects may have on the burden related to pain management. Both patients showed a reduction in FM burden and an increase in self-efficacy in pain management: patient A reported an improvement in emotional regulation ability; patient B showed a decrease in pain interference in work activities and on emotional dimension. Examining each phase of the clinical protocol through the lens of its clinical application, the paper provides insights into the relationship among crucial psychosocial mechanisms, pain perception, management in FM treatment, and how all these aspects have been dealt with during psychotherapeutic treatment.

Refining the Experiential Component of Schema Therapy for Traumatised Populations: a New Continuum of Experiential Techniques

The schema therapy model is a potential new viable alternative for trauma-focused psychotherapy. This is because it employed a series of integrative and experiential techniques to resolve the unconscious impacts of past traumatic experiences. Additionally, its unique concepts of Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) and Schema Modes provided a new explanation for understanding trauma impacts. However, as schema therapy was not designed for trauma work, it does have certain limitations in its techniques, especially in its experiential component. In this theoretical paper, the identified limitations of the experiential techniques in schema therapy were addressed through assimilative integrating art therapy, dream-work and psychodynamic techniques. A new continuum of experiential techniques was created and integrated into schema therapy. This newly integrated schema therapy was named ‘trauma-focused schema therapy’ (Tf-ST). The six steps of assimilative integration were illustrated.

Early maladaptive schemas in substance use disorders in the Indian context: Theoretical and therapeutic implications.

Schema theory seems to be a relevant perspective in the overall understanding of substance use disorders (SUDs). Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) are defined as self-defeating emotional and cognitive patterns that begin early in our development, repeat throughout life, and act as risk factors for mental health problems and substance use (SU). SU behavior acts as a means by which users attempt to avoid triggering the unpleasant and negative emotions inherent in their elevated schema. Thus, SU is often seen as a coping mechanism in schema theory. This has important implications in terms of assessment, treatment, and planning of interventions. Schema therapy would be a valuable addition to the current therapy practice, which emphasizes a dual focus on both SU and EMSs and uses an integrated framework of cognitive, behavioral, and experiential techniques to target and modify EMSs.

Chairwork in schema therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder-A qualitative study of patients' perceptions.

Chairwork is one of the core experiential techniques of Schema Therapy (ST) which is used in the treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, little is known about how people with BPD experience chairwork. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of patients with BPD with chairwork in ST. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 29 participants with a primary diagnosis of BPD who experienced chairwork as part of their ST treatment. The interview data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Many participants reported initial skepticism, and difficulties with engaging in chairwork. Specific therapist behaviors as well as some external (e.g., restricted facilities, noise) and internal factors (especially feeling ashamed or ridiculous) were named as hindering factors. Participants described several therapist behaviors facilitating chairwork such as providing safety, clear guidance through the process as well as flexible application of the technique according to their needs, and sufficient time for debriefing. Participants experienced emotional pain and exhaustion as short-term effects of the technique. All participants reported positive long-term effects including an improved understanding of their mode model as well as positive mode changes (e.g., less Punitive Parent and more Healthy Adult Mode), greater self-acceptance, improvements in coping with emotions and needs as well as improvements in interpersonal relationships. Chairwork is experienced as an emotionally demanding but valuable technique. Based on the participants' statements, the delivery of chairwork can be optimized which can help to improve treatment outcome.

The interplay between therapeutic relationship and therapeutic technique: The whole is more than the sum of its parts.

The interplay between the therapeutic relationship and experiential techniques is powerful. The whole is more than the sum of its parts. Therapeutic relationship predicts therapy outcomes, especially when this involves shared goals, agreed methods, and a strong interpersonal bond. When patients feel safely held in a therapeutic relationship, they feel more confident and willing to participate in experiential techniques. Conversely, the therapist's careful, purposeful implementation of techniques can help strengthen the therapeutic relationship. While the interplay between relationship and technique can be complicated, resulting in rupture, carefully repairing ruptures can both strengthen the relationship and increase willingness to engage with techniques. We comment on five case studies from this issue of theJournal of Clinical Psychology: In Session. We review the literature regarding this interplay between relationship and technique, summarize the case studies and lessons learned, consolidate the findings into a framework, and propose avenues for future therapy consideration and research.

The interplay between therapeutic relationship and therapeutic technique: "It takes two to tango".

The idea that the therapeutic relationship is at the core of psychotherapy is shared by most therapeutic approaches. Also, an increasing variety of therapeutic approaches, consider experiential techniques as central tools to promote effective therapeutic change. Commonly, it is argued that the creation of a positive, empathic, safe, and solid therapeutic alliance should be a prerequisite for administering these techniques. However, recent evidence is beginning to challenge this cautious stance showing that the introduction of experiential work early in therapy can be safe and effective. So, the quality of the therapeutic relationship may either facilitate or hinder the use of experiential techniques, but the use of these techniques may also strengthen or cause ruptures in the therapeutic alliance. So how do we balance the attention to the therapeutic relationship and the use of active, emotionally arousing techniques? In this paper, we present an issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session exploring the complex interplay between therapeutic relationship and experiential practices in light of different psychotherapeutic approaches. We do so by first providing an initial overview of the topic. Next, we introduce the five papers of the issue along with some thoughts on how authors from diverse psychotherapeutic orientations contributed to illustrate and reflect on this multifaceted "dance" between therapeutic relationship and techniques.

Reducing eating disorders through experiential psychotherapy: a case study of anorexia nervosa

Over the last decades, the prevalence of eating disorders has increased dramatically. In the current psychiatric nomenclature of the DSM-5 [2], the eating disorders consist of three clearly defined syndromes, i.e. anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervos and binge-eating disorder. The onset of the most clinical cases occurs in adolescence or young adulthood. Data provided by psychiatric practice reveal that eating disorders occur more frequently in women, compared with men. These disorders appear to be multidetermined. Thus, the risk for (or protection against) the development of eating disorders resides in several factors, i.e. genetic, neurohormonal, family, psychological and sociocultural. Negative life events can also play a triggering role. Anorexia nervosa is a debilitating mental disorder with profound biological, psychological and social consequences. Although the overall incidence rate of anorexia nervosa is considerably stable over the past decades, the incidence among adolescents has increased. Different types of psychotherapeutic interventions (e.g., family-based therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, interpersonal therapy, etc.) are used to treat eating disorders. However, the benefits of experiential techniques (e.g., emotion-focused therapy or gestalt therapy) have been less explored. This paper focuses on a 19-yearold adolescent girl presenting with symptoms of anorexia nervosa. The complaints, results of the initial assessment, goals of the therapeutic sessions, working techniques as well as gains of the intervention based on experiential methods (e.g., the empty chair technique, metapositions, cognitive reframing, etc.) are reviewed. Practical implications are discussed considering the potential of experiential psychotherapy in assisting clients with eating disorders.

Self-compassion among Undergraduate Nursing Students at a State University in Indonesia during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To determine the level of self-compassion and investigate the relationships between sociodemographic variables and self-compassion among undergraduate nursing students at a state university in Indonesia during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This study used a cross-sectional design. Samples were selected using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique (n=260). Data were collected using an Indonesian version of the Self-compassion Scale, which consists of 6 subscales: self-kindness, self-judgment, common humanity, isolation, mindfulness, and overidentification. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis. 60% of students had moderate self-compassion. Students scored the highest in self-kindness (3,93±1,02) and over-identification (3,58±0,94), indicating that they often tried to love themselves when they felt emotional pain and often get carried away when something upsetting happened. Subsequently, a significant correlation was found between age and self-compassion (p<0.05). Self-compassion among nursing students should be improved through interventions such as compassion literacy, mindfulness training, and compassion-based experiential techniques.

Examining the Interlinkages among the Virtual Experiential Techniques Influencing Factors in the eCommerce Industry: An ISM and MICMAC Approach

Examining the Interlinkages among the Virtual Experiential Techniques Influencing Factors in the eCommerce Industry: An ISM and MICMAC Approach

Schema therapy for personality disorders in autistic adults: Results of a multiple case series study.

To our knowledge, treatment of personality disorder (PD) comorbidity in autistic adults is understudied and is still in its infancy. We investigated the effectiveness of schema therapy (ST) for autistic adults with PD. A multiple case series design with 12 adults (aged 19-62 years) was used with baseline, exploration, ST (with cognitive behavioural and experiential techniques) and follow-up conditions. Participants rated dysfunctional core beliefs (primary outcome) weekly during baseline and treatment and monthly during follow-up. Schema modes, general mental health symptoms, social responsiveness, PD traits and common Axis-I mental disorders were assessed. Mixed model analyses indicated significant effects of ST with medium to large effect sizes for dysfunctional core beliefs, functional schema modes, PD traits, general mental health symptoms and social responsiveness. Results remained stable during follow-up. The results of this study indicate that ST might be effective in decreasing dysfunctional core beliefs, PD traits and general mental health symptoms and in increasing functional schema modes and social responsiveness. Improvements persisted over time. ST seems effective in treating PD in autistic individuals.

Schema therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder and comorbid alcohol dependence: A multiple-baseline case series design study.

This study tested the effectiveness of schema therapy (ST) for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and comorbid alcohol dependence (AD). Twenty patients participated in a case series study with multiple baselines. The baseline phase consisted of treatment as usual. It was followed by a case conceptualization phase, an experiential techniques phase and a behavioural change phase. Patients showed a significant decrease in BPD and AD symptoms; change was mainly accomplished in the experiential techniques phase, with medium to large effect sizes. Three months after termination of therapy, 68% of the patients had remitted from BPD, and the number of drinking days decreased clearly. This study shows that, although treatment is challenging in this group of patients, meaningful change can be obtained in patients with BPD and AD using ST.

OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL METHOD FOR ENHANCING STUDENTS' VOCABULARY

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between students' interest in learning through outdoor activity and their vocabulary mastery, as well as whether or not the use of outdoor experiential methods can improve students' vocabulary mastery and whether or not the students are interested in learning vocabulary in this way. This study used quantitative methods, specifically in the form of a quasi-experimental design, to address the aims. Thirty second-graders from Class VIII A served as the experimental group in this study, which was conducted at SMP Darul Aman in March 2020. Thirty second-graders from Class VIII B served as the control group. The researcher administered questionnaires to students to gauge their interest in the outdoor experiential technique and conducted vocabulary tests for the pretest and posttest to get information about the students' progress in vocabulary mastering. Three conclusions come from this study: 1) The students were interested in using the outdoor experiential method to learn vocabulary, 2) the students' interest in the method was positively correlated with their vocabulary mastery, and 3) the outdoor experiential method proved effective in improving students' vocabulary mastery.

A multi-dimensional approach to embedding professional skills into modern degree courses

This article focuses on understanding professionalism and the need to teach students about it, and includes a case study from the Claude Littner Business School (CLBS) at the University of West London. Teaching professional skills to students is of paramount importance as it has a direct impact on their career success. However, embedding it within curricula and making it part of the students’ mindset is not so straightforward, as the concept of professionalism may often be affected by public perception. CLBS has employed a variety of pedagogical models and business approaches in doing this, such as horizontal and vertical integration through a spiral curriculum, experiential and reflective learning techniques, and has established HR practices such as onboarding and appraisal meetings, resulting in high submission rates and positive student feedback.

‘I’m unlikeable, boring, weird, foolish, inferior, inadequate’: how to address the persistent negative self-evaluations that are central to social anxiety disorder with cognitive therapy

To recognise persistent negative self-evaluations as a key feature of SAD.To understand that persistent negative self-evaluations are central in the Clark and Wells (1995) cognitive model and how to formulate these as part of SAD.To be able to use all the experiential interventions in cognitive therapy for SAD to address these beliefs.

Infrastructure and Teaching: University Students' Impressions on Completion of Their Internship in Greek Public Schools

This paper focuses on exploring the perceptions expressed by students at the University of Ioannina, Greece, after the completion of their graduate education practice in State Secondary schools in the city of Ioannina. More specifically, it provides insight into the impact the school logistics infrastructure had on the teaching process and its valorization by the educators. The results of the research demonstrate that, except for the Model Experimental Schools, the State Secondary Schools are lacking not only in necessary technological equipment but also in special teaching classrooms, which, in turn, entails the teachers’ inability to valorize technological means and upgrade the teaching process applying student-centered, experiential didactic techniques.

NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON PLATE FORMING USING THE TECHNIQUE OF LINE HEATING

Nowadays manual and experiential technique patterns of line heating process could not meet the requirement of modern shipbuilding. Therefore, the automatic forming method is being an active research topic in manufacturing. An accurate and practical predicting method is an essential part of the automatic plate forming system. In the present work a numerical elasto-plastic thermo-mechanical model has been developed for predicting the thermal history and resulting deformation and residual stress field of line heating process. A moving Gaussian distributed heat source was used in the modelling to create a realistic simulation of the process. The transient temperature distributions were predicted using temperature-dependent material properties. The deformation and residual stress field were predicted based on the transient temperature distributions of line heating. Experiments were conducted to prove the validity of the numerical thermo-mechanical model. The final numerical results of temperature, deformation and residual stresses are in good agreement with experiment results. The proposed method presents a valuable reference for the study of similar thermal process.