Avoidance, vicious cycles, and experiential disconfirmation of script: Two new theoretical concepts and one mechanism of change in the Psychotherapy of depression and anxiety

Widdowson, MDJ ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2404-7087 2014, 'Avoidance, vicious cycles, and experiential disconfirmation of script: Two new theoretical concepts and one mechanism of change in the Psychotherapy of depression and anxiety' , Transactional Analysis Journal, 44 (3) .

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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 19s (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 19s problems, specifically depression and anxiety, but also in relation to 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 19s 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.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Health and Wellbeing
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Health Sciences Research
Journal or Publication Title:	Transactional Analysis Journal
Publisher:	Sage
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	0362-1537
Related URLs:	Publication
Funders:	Non funded research
Depositing User:	Dr Mark Widdowson
Date Deposited:	14 Oct 2014 12:19
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2022 18:40
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/32894

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