Transformational affects and core state in AEDP: The emergence and consolidation of joy, hope, gratitude, and confidence in (the solid goodness of) the self.

Abstract

Positive affects in the context of positive dyadic interactions are fundamental to mental health and the development of the self, and are here considered from within the vantage point of Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), an attachment and emotion model of psychotherapy. We explore three phenomenological/affective/behavioral sets of positive affects-mastery affects, healing affects, and core state-in the context of positive dyadic interactions and understand their adaptive values by referencing the realms of attachment, intersubjectivity and affective neuroscience. We detail an experiential process in which the regulation of painful emotion in the context of a positive dyadic therapeutic relationship naturally culminates in the emergence of positive affects and positive emotional states, which in turn are vehicles for accessing emotional resources and resilience associated with resilient functioning and emotional flourishing. Detailed transcripts from two videotaped sessions are microanalyzed so as to delineate the moment-to-moment phenomenology and dynamics of the AEDP therapeutic process and to document the spontaneous emergence of these positive affective phenomena in a therapeutic context designed to make the most of their therapeutic effectiveness.

Combining Expressive Writing with an Affect- and Attachment-Focused Psychotherapeutic Approach in the Treatment of a Single-Incident Trauma Survivor: The Case of "Grace"

“…The AEDP therapist brings his or her own affective honesty and bravery to the treatment. In addition, the therapist brings a willingness to engage in his or her own emotional processing and not shy away from challenging material and the full continuum of feeling, including not only emotions more "typically" seen in therapeutic treatments like grief, despair, and anger, but also a range of mastery and healing affects (Russell & Fosha, 2008).…”

“…Drawing on the principles and strategies of AEDP outlined above, the general treatment plan of the AEDP-Writing model is to not only allow patients to connect with their traumatic memories while in the presence of a supportive other so that feelings can be more completely processed, but to also draw attention to positive emotions and healing experiences and encourage them to absorb these as well (Russell & Fosha, 2008). Writes Fosha, "We do not want to only focus on the experience that must be undone and transcended, that is, the trauma.…”

“…AEDP greatly values "mastery affects," like joy and pride, and "healing affects," such as gratitude, and paying careful attention to be mindful of these experiences both within and outside of the therapy relationship (Russell & Fosha, 2008). Similarly, in the expressive writing literature, Pennebaker (1997) talks about how positive events should also be given attention, as opposed to solely writing about stressful experiences; and Jacobs (2004) writes that giving attention to positive experiences challenges the idea that it's more important to pay attention to the "negative" ones.…”

“…I aimed to identify examples of affect in session to show Grace what her expressions of feeling looked like. In addition to identifying affect such as sadness and anger, I also aimed to focus on mastery and healing affects (Russell & Fosha, 2008) like gratitude and strength, with the plan of utilizing our psychotherapeutic relationship as a tool to identify examples of these when they occurred in session as well. The second part of this goal was to expose the defense and anxiety points of the triangle as "protecting" Grace from her core affects of longing, sadness, and anger.…”

“…It's been so hard for me the past few years and this is the first time I'm getting through it." Using AEDP's focus on healing affect, I took advantage of these occurrences as opportunities to stay with the gratitude and explore what it meant: to her, to me, and to us (Russell & Fosha, 2008).…”