Therapy approaches
In addition to treatments indicated in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, the main theoretical frameworks I take into account are the one informed by the dialectical psychology theory, existential approaches, and the environmental sensitivity model. They all see the development of psychological difficulties within the interaction between the person and the specific social and cultural contexts.
These are integrated with principles and techniques from various therapies such as interpersonal, motivational, compassion-focused and cognitive-behavioural. Each approach brings its own valuable perspective to an issue. I believe that no single overarching theory should be expected to unlock the subtleties and complexity of an individual’s unique mind.
Psychological qualities
Until recently, research proposed one model of understanding psychological distress: the vulnerability/diathesis-stress model. This model focuses on identifying risk factors, the most important of which is vulnerability. However, this model has now been questioned because it takes into account only negative variables.
Therefore, since the late 1990s, the research focus has looked at the development of “vulnerable” people not only in negative contexts but also in positive ones. These theories are now integrated in the broader Environmental Sensitivity meta-framework.
This framework is helpful because it contributes to the study of the interaction between the individual and the environment in both positive and negative contexts. It suggests that an insufficient consideration and inappropriate management of a person’s psychological qualities could lead to the development of psychological difficulties. It also proposes that the understanding of psychological qualities in the interaction with a positive environment will lead the person to fulfil their potential.
