Minding the findings: Let's not miss the message of memory reconsolidation research for psychotherapy

Ecker, Bruce; Hulley, L. N.; Ticic, Robin

doi:10.1017/s0140525x14000168

Cited by 18 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…This need to preserve self-coherence has also been highlighted by other theories like self-verification (Swann, 2012) or self-regulation (Vohs and Baumeister, 2011), as well as by certain therapeutic models such as coherence therapy (Ecker et al, 2012) or some systemic approaches (e.g., White, 2007). However, no operational procedures have been created so far to detect implicit conflict configurations between negative and positive self-constructions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Depression and Identity: Are Self-Constructions Negative or Conflictual?

Montesano¹,

Feixas²,

Caspar³

et al. 2017

Front. Psychol.

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Negative self-views have proved to be a consistent marker of vulnerability for depression. However, recent research has shown that a particular kind of cognitive conflict, implicative dilemma, is highly prevalent in depression. In this study, the relevance of these conflicts is assessed as compared to the cognitive model of depression of a negative view of the self. In so doing, 161 patients with major depression and 110 controls were assessed to explore negative self-construing (self-ideal discrepancy) and conflicts (implicative dilemmas), as well as severity of symptoms. Results showed specificity for the clinical group indicating a pattern of mixed positive and negative self-descriptions with a high rate of conflict. Regression analysis lent support to the conflict hypothesis in relation to clinically relevant indicators such as symptom severity, global functioning. However, self-ideal discrepancy was a stronger predictor of group membership. The findings showed the relevance of cognitive conflicts to compliment the well-consolidated theory of negative self-views. Clinical implications for designing interventions are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Depression and Identity: Are Self-Constructions Negative or Conflictual?

Montesano¹,

Feixas²,

Caspar³

et al. 2017

Front. Psychol.

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“…That might then direct attention to the fact that rather than working with the critic directly one needs to go into the emotional memories that the critic seems to be linked with. If one is re‐scripting emotional memories (Arntz, ; Ecker, Ticic & Hulley, ) one can focus on a compassionate re‐script (Hackmann, ). One can also facilitate ‘the compassionate self or image’ to enter into the memory of the child and create a caring compassionate interaction in the re‐scripting (Lee, ).…”

Section: Compassion Focused Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

The origins and nature of compassion focused therapy

Gilbert

2014

British J Clinic Psychol

1,045

1,158

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Compassion focused therapy (CFT) is rooted in an evolutionary, functional analysis of basic social motivational systems (e.g., to live in groups, form hierarchies and ranks, seek out sexual, partners help and share with alliances, and care for kin) and different functional emotional systems (e.g., to respond to threats, seek out resources, and for states of contentment/safeness). In addition, about 2 million years ago, (pre-)humans began to evolve a range of cognitive competencies for reasoning, reflection, anticipating, imagining, mentalizing, and creating a socially contextualized sense of self. These new competencies can cause major difficulties in the organization of (older) motivation and emotional systems. CFT suggests that our evolved brain is therefore potentially problematic because of its basic 'design,' being easily triggered into destructive behaviours and mental health problems (called 'tricky brain'). However, mammals and especially humans have also evolved motives and emotions for affiliative, caring and altruistic behaviour that can organize our brain in such a way as to significantly offset our destructive potentials. CFT therefore highlights the importance of developing people's capacity to (mindfully) access, tolerate, and direct affiliative motives and emotions, for themselves and others, and cultivate inner compassion as a way for organizing our human 'tricky brain' in prosocial and mentally healthy ways.

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“…This process is known as Memory Reconsolidation (Nader et al, 2000; Nader and Einarsson, 2010). The target emotional learning is reactivated in a labile (plastic) state that allows the learning to be erased by offering the experience of an opposite emotional experience (see Ecker et al, 2012 for its clinical applications). We hypothesize that once a Memory Reconsolidation process is reached in the therapeutic setting, the patient can bear the feelings his defenses formerly warded off.…”

Section: Two Keys To the Future Of The Field Of Emotion Regulationmentioning

confidence: 99%