Affect phobia therapy: Psychodynamic transdiagnostic manualized treatment model

Abstract

Background: A central factor of mental health is the ability to experience affects and to regulate them adaptively. The improvement of this capacity is a treatment aim of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Psychodynamic treatment models derived from the well-validated tradition of short-term dynamic psychotherapy (STDP), which are gathered under the umbrella of the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association (https://iedta.net/), have a special focus on emotional experiencing in their treatment. One such psychodynamic transdiagnostic treatment model is affect phobia therapy (APT). Objective: The aim of the review is to introduce the reader to the treatment rationale and evidence for APT. Material and methods: The theoretical principles of the APT treatment model, typical interventions and process instruments are described. The evidence for the APT model is presented as a narrative review. Results and conclusion: The APT is an evidence-based psychodynamic treatment model. The treatment approach is integrative. A self-help program based on APT is well-received by patients. Manualization, skill orientation and process instruments make it a promising tool for education and training.