Arnold Lazarus was a Behaviour Therapist (he coined
the term), who developed what became MultiModal Therapy (MMT) as he
built on the premise that we are basically biological beings who
experience emotions, think, imagine, smell & touch, and relate to
others as well as act, which at that time, Behaviour Therapy had
limited itself to.
Lazarus lists the modalities in the acronym BASIC
I.D.
B Behaviour
A Affect (emotions)
S Sensation
(touch, smell, sight, hearing, taste)
I Imagery
(thinking in pictures, self-image)
C Cognition
(thinking in words, beliefs, attitudes, opinions, thinking styles)
I
Interpersonal (how we relate to others)
D Drugs &
biology (medications, substances, diet, exercise, general health, sleep)
MMT
has therefore developed into a therapy that incorporates all elements
of our personality, rather than restricting therapy to one or two
dimensions. A MultiModal Life History Inventory, which is usually
offered to clients to complete at home following the initial
consultation, helps the therapist and client to identify those
modalities (dimensions) that the client prioritises and/or is
neglecting. Therapy can therefore commence with the most
appropriate modality which is likely to be most beneficial to that
client. Therapy will include interventions in all modalities, and
the interventions may include effective techniques from other
psycho-therapeutic approaches.
From this multimodal assessment, a treatment plan is
devised and will include interventions in each modality. For
example, someone who is very passive when relating to other people,
will plan some assertiveness training. Someone who is depressed
might have the following example treatment plan:
Behaviour
Stays in bed
stays home - minimal contact with friends and family
Do little
Specific behavioural goals
Increase contact and time with others
Activity scheduling
Affect
Depressed, sad
Guilt feelings
Explore triggers and associated thoughts
Encourage positive activity (mastery and pleasure)
Sensation
Tiredness
Relaxation
Listening to inspiring music
Imagery
Poor self-image, recurring images of past events and
possible future problems
Confidence & coping imagery
Cognition
Negative filter
Self-critical thoughts
Challenge unhelpful thoughts and thinking styles
Distancing & Refocus of attention
Interpersonal
Passive behaviour
Avoids social contact
Assertiveness
Increase social contact, social skills
Drugs / biology
Takes anti-depressants
Uses alcohol to feel better sometimes
No physical exercise
Monitor and reduce alcohol use
Increase physical activity
Download and complete your own Treatment Plan -
Adobe file
MMT
is adapted to each client. Three depressed clients might receive
three very different courses of therapy, as a result of identifying and
tuning into the client's preferred modality ("bridging") and, then
identifying and prioritising the client's firing order of the
modalities ("tracking"). In addition, at the initial interview,
each client is asked what they want from their therapist, and how they
want their therapist to act - perhaps reflective or more directive,
although Lazarus cautions about wasting time, and advocates that MMT is
a
brief
but comprehensive psychotherapy.
