Yoga‐integrated psychotherapy for emotion dysregulation: A pilot study

Abstract

Yoga has been evidenced as beneficial for physical and mental health. The present study sought to pilot the acceptability and feasibility of a yoga-integrated psychotherapy intervention, aimed to alleviate difficulties in emotion regulation. A further aim was to explore the perceived effectiveness of YiP in alleviating depression, anxiety, and improving wellbeing.Methods: Seven participants who scored significantly on the Difficulties in Emotion Dysregulation Scale (DERS) took part in a psychological assessment session followed by six-weekly one hour therapy sessions. Participants completed self-report measures in each session to quantify the effects of each YiP session on emotion regulation, wellbeing, depression and anxiety. Following seven sessions, five participants completed qualitative follow-up interviews to explore subjective experiences of YiP and any perceived impacts.Findings: An ANOVA that contained data from 7 participants who completed all 6 sessions revealed that compared to at baseline, DERS scores were significantly lower, and wellbeing scores were significantly higher, at both mid-point and end-point. Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews identified five themes: 'YiP assists the client's psychological and emotional processing', 'YiP improves insight and focus', 'YiP is culturally sensitive', 'the body as an agent for regulation and resilience' and 'YiP as acceptable & impactful'. Conclusion:The study presents promising findings for the integration of yoga into psychotherapeutic practice, and indicates that YiP may have beneficial effects on emotion regulation and psychological wellbeing. Future research should use randomized controlled methodologies to examine the ability of YiP to alleviate a wide of affective symptoms using a larger sample of participants. Implications for Practice Yoga is a promising mind-body technique in the treatment of emotion dysregulation, and alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and improving well-being. Integrating yoga into psychotherapy is perceived as acceptable and feasible. Working with mind-body approaches may offer clients an alternative method of engaging in treatment, which is cost-effective with take-home skills. Implication for PolicyNICE guidelines could consider incorporating yoga into the treatment of mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety, and consider adopting the term emotion dysregulation to speak to a complex range of presenting symptoms.

Living (dys)regulated and alienated young masculinity—Young men's embodied experiences of mental disorders and suicidality

“…Furthermore, using physiologically based methods that enhance vagal activity, such as breathing exercises, can complement the existing cognitive regulation strategies used in therapy (Zaccaro et al, 2018). Regulation of and gradual exposure to emotions and bodily sensations through interoception and mindfulness, as in body awareness physiotherapy and other body‐oriented methods, can be useful “bottom‐up” strategies (Childs‐Fegredo et al, 2022; Strömbäck et al, 2013; Tymofiyeva et al, 2021). The limitations associated with the developing brain during youth (Ahmed et al, 2015), along with consequences of mental distress and autonomic dysregulation on brain function, further emphasise the need for additional approaches (Snyder et al, 2015; Thayer & Lane, 2000; Tymofiyeva et al, 2021).…”