Is the experiencing of affect therapeutic? An investigation into the relationship between affect experiencing, degree of inhibition and distress in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy

Abstract

Abstract This thesis consists of three sections: a literature review, the research report and the appendices.

Literature review The literature review explores the question ‘how is in-session experiencing of affect considered therapeutic in psychodynamic and experiential psychotherapies?’ The approaches used to research affect processes in psychotherapy are explored and the strengths and limitations of these methods illustrated. The current evidence on the ways in which in-session expression of affect is considered therapeutic in experiential and psychodynamic therapies is fully appraised.

Research report This study investigates the relationship between affect experiencing, degree of inhibition and distress in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP). A single case series design was used. Data was obtained from 6 participants who each received 20 sessions of ISTDP. Excerpts from video recordings of each session were coded for peak affect and average inhibition. Participants completed weekly self-report measures of symptom distress so that the relationships between in-session affect experiencing, inhibition, and ongoing distress could be determined. The ratio of affect experiencing to degree of inhibition (referred to as affective capacity) increased over the course of therapy in three participants. Increased affective capacity was associated with a reduction in symptom distress in those participants who recovered. A positive correlation was found between affective capacity and working alliance in three participants. The results offer tentative support for the emphasis in ISTDP on mobilizing unconscious emotions.

Appendices Relevant documentation pertaining to the project is provided, in addition to the presentation of additional information supplementing the literature review and the research report.