中華心理衛生協會

Purpose: Emotional processing has been recognized as a common factor in treatment effectiveness. However, research has provided limited information on the influence of therapist variables in facilitating emotional processing. Therapist variables can include therapist attributes and therapeutic techniques. Since no studies were found on examining therapist attributes in emotional processing, the present article aims to review existing empirical studies of therapeutic techniques for facilitating emotional processing and to provide directions for future research in the domains of therapist variables, client factors, and cultural factors in emotional processing. Methods: A literature search identified 12 empirical articles published between 1965 and 2016 with regard to therapeutic techniques for facilitating emotional processing. These articles encompassed experiential therapy, psychodynamic therapy and trans-theoretical approaches. Results: In the literature on experiential therapy, therapeutic techniques such as the Gestalt two-chair technique and the meaning symbolization technique facilitate emotional processing effectively. Across theoretical orientations, supportive techniques such as empathy, friendly and non-controlling interventions, and reflections and acknowledgements have been demonstrated to lead to a higher level of emotional processing. Techniques that yielded mixed results across theoretical approaches in producing effective emotional processing were interpretations from psychodynamic therapy, confrontations, and therapist self-disclosures. The results of this review pointed out that other factors such as therapist attributes and cultural factors can interact with therapist interventions in emotional processing even though there is a paucity of research in this area. Conclusions: This review indicates that therapeutic techniques can be influential in emotional processing. This review suggests that further knowledge on therapist contributions and cultural factors in client emotional processing is imperative to fully understand the change mechanisms underlying emotional processing.