Using the primary process emotional–behavioural system to better meet patient needs in psychotherapy

Tien Kuei*, Mavis Tsai, Hamish J. McLeod, Ross G. White, Jonathan Kanter

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In order to increase therapeutic impact by enhancing awareness of clients' nonverbal communications, this article operationalizes the therapeutic alliance as a needs-satisfaction process. The client's competence as a needs seeker and the therapist assisting with the client's expression and satiation of basic social needs are proposed as being key mechanisms of change. Functional model of primary emotions derived from Panksepp's seven primary emotional systems (care seeking, caretaking, lust, fear and anxiety, anger, play, seeking, plus dominance and disgust) is integrated with Functional Analytic Psychotherapy's emphasis on in-session contingent natural reinforcement of clients' target behaviours. By identifying in-the-moment cues of underlying emotional–behavioural functions drawn from a categorization of clients' nonverbal communication can bridge the gap between client private events and therapist observables, in order to maximize therapist attunement and responsiveness to clients, and to increase the effectiveness of clinical interventions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)55-73
Number of pages19
JournalClinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Volume26
Issue number1
Early online date09 Nov 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Jan 2019
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords

  • clinically relevant behaviours
  • emotions
  • functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP)
  • needs-satisfaction process
  • nonverbal communication
  • primary emotions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology

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