Affect Phobia Therapy and Self Image

, Van Dam, Q.D. (Quin)¹, Philipszoon, H.D. Mrs (Dorien)²
¹Private psychotherapy practice, Leiden, Nederland
²Zaans Medical Institute, Zaandam, Nederland

Submission type

Oral and Poster

Scheduled

Parallel Session III: Veilingzaal, 08-06-2018, 13:00 - 14:30

Kernwoorden

Cluster C personality, corrective experience

Onderzoeksgebied

Personality disorders

Doelgroep

mensen met veel ervaring met het onderwerp

Workshop

Affect Phobia Therapy and Self Image A rigid, negative self image and a polarised view of others are common characteristics in patients with Cluster C personality disorders. These patients lack awareness of their own needs and feelings, and tend to label the intentions and responses of the people around them as threatening. This means that positive experiences are not registered as such, and patients are hindered in their efforts to develop a healthy sense of self esteem. Affect Phobia Therapy (APT) can break this stalemate. The integrated approach, with its use of psychodynamic, experiential and cognitive behavioural techniques, has proven to be effective. Applying the principles of APT to the minutiae of the therapeutic interaction helps patients become aware of their actual feelings and their worth in the eyes of the other. These corrective experiences can subsequently lead to self compassion and a realistic assessment of others. How does this play out in practice? The presentation will start with a short overview of the principles of APT, followed by a demonstration of its workings in a particular case. Partcipants will then be given the opprotunity to practice with the use of interventions.