The role of corrective emotional experiences in the counsellor-client attachment: a model for processing emotions in therapy

ABSTRACT

Even though emotions are central in many counselling modalities, how best to work with emotions has not often been clearly articulated or practically presented for counsellors. In this paper I outline a brief history of the science of emotion, highlighting the role of emotional regulation in the counsellor-client attachment and present a five-step model of working with emotions in therapy, adapted from the work of Canadian developmental psychologist, Gordon Neufeld. The paper provides a theoretical and practical framework for understanding the crucial importance of a corrective emotional experience for client healing.     

Life outcomes and relationship dispositions: The unique role of Emophilia

Emophilia (EP) predicts forming indiscriminate romantic bonds, and is associated with falling in love faster and with more people. Retrospective data examined life outcomes and relationship orientations in a large adult sample. Among both men and women, results indicated that both sociosexuality and EP were unique predictors of number of previous romantic relationships. However, among both men and women, EP was the only unique predictor of number of times being engaged to be married. Further, among women, EP was a unique predictor of younger age of first marriage engagement. Finally, high levels of both EP and unrestricted sociosexuality were associated with more pregnancies by different men. In sum, sociosexuality, anxious attachment, and EP all uniquely associated different relationship life outcomes, especially among women. Overall, the findings support and extend previous research showing that Emophilia is a critical variable in the realm of relationships.     

Affective development and etiological implication in body image disorders and anorexia: reflections on bdd manifestations and refusal of food in a psychodynamic view

The literature demonstrates that relational experiences during childhood have a strong impact on the trajectories of psychological growth. This article focuses on the major developmental phases for identity formation, psychological growth, mentalization skills, and ability to share affective states. It presents a careful analysis of some key factors that influence the representation of body image and the relationship with food, from a perspective that integrates relational psychodynamic models. In particular, it looks at the ways in which individuals and caregivers actively co-create the symptomatic process of intrapsychic reality in which body disease and refusal of food are performed.     

阈下安全启动改善非安全依恋女性的注意加工

研究采用掩蔽启动范式，结合事件相关电位技术，考察阈下安全启动在非安全依恋女性对婴儿面孔注意加工上的改善效应。行为指标上，悲伤程度评分和反应时结果均表明了安全启动的改善作用。ERP结果上，在早期注意加工阶段，阈下安全启动比中性启动诱发了依恋焦虑和依恋回避女性对婴儿面孔表情更大的N1波幅以及更优的P2潜伏期，在晚期控制注意加工相关的P3波幅上同样发现了类似的改善效应。研究结果表明阈下安全启动能够提升非安全依恋女性对婴儿面孔的知觉敏感性，改善非安全依恋女性注意加工缺陷，且这种改善效应不仅仅作用于早期注意加工阶段而且还可以扩展到个体有意识的晚期控制加工阶段。     

Understanding the impact of attachment insecurity on PTSD symptoms among male Veterans and military personnel

ABSTRACT

Attachment insecurity (i.e., attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) has been found to contribute to PTSD symptom severity in Veterans. However, little is known of the unique contribution of attachment insecurity on individual PTSD symptom clusters. In a community sample of 106 combat-deployed Veterans, active duty service members, and reservists, this study examined: (1) the relationships between childhood family experience, combat experience, attachment insecurity, and PTSD symptom clusters, and (2) the influence of attachment insecurity on PTSD symptom clusters. Results revealed significant correlations between attachment anxiety and all PTSD symptom clusters (rs = .22 –.43) and attachment avoidance and PTSD symptom clusters, except the avoidance cluster (rs = .21 ?.36). Four multiple regression analyses were employed to address the second study aim. Childhood family experiences predicted negative alterations in cognitions and mood (β = –.30) and alterations in arousal and reactivity (β = –.20). Further, combat experience significantly predicted each symptom cluster of PTSD (βs = .03 –.44). In the second step, attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were added to each model. Attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance predicted negative alterations in cognitions and mood (βs = .22 and .35) and alterations in arousal and reactivity (βs = .27 and .17). Inconsistent with previous research, attachment insecurity did not predict symptoms of avoidance. These results highlight the impact of attachment among a diverse sample of trauma exposed individuals and may provide insights for clinical implications and therapeutic approaches when working with Veterans and military personnel high in attachment insecurity.