Avoidance, Vicious Cycles, and Experiential Disconfirmation of Script: Two New Theoretical Concepts and One Mechanism of Change in the Psychotherapy of Depression and Anxiety. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Widdowson, Mark
• Is Part Of: Transactional analysis journal. Volume 44:Number 3(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 194
• Page End: 207
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: transactional analysis psychotherapy -- avoidance -- maintaining factors -- change mechanisms -- theory building -- case study research -- depression -- anxiety; Transactional analysis -- Periodicals; Psychology, Social -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy, Group -- Periodicals; Analyse transactionnelle -- Périodiques; 616.89145
• DOI: 10.1177/0362153714554207
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0362-1537

Abstract

This article presents an argument for the clinical and empirical relevance of case study material. Drawing on a series of systematic case studies based in Stiles's (2007) model of theory building, the author proposes adding the concepts of avoidance and vicious cycles to standard transactional analysis and offers case material to illustrate the usefulness of doing so. Avoidance and vicious cycles are proposed as key mechanisms in the maintenance of the client's problems, specifically depression and anxiety but also other presenting problems. The article also proposes experiential disconfirmation as an active change mechanism in transactional analysis therapy whereby the therapist actively challenges the client's life script and promotes change at an experiential level. These concepts forge links between several transactional analysis concepts and provide a unifying framework for a range of TA therapy approaches.