Therapy aid: an investigation of the use of sensory stimulation to facilitate access to and expression of emotions in individuals undergoing psychotherapy

Abstract

[...] progress in psychotherapy relies entirely on authentic verbal communication with the therapist and the very challenges associated with the disorders make it very difficult for individuals who are so disconnected from their emotions to access and express them. This presents a challenge to therapists, hinders progress, thereby prolonging treatment and sufferings. The disorders most commonly manifest in adulthood with the ages of those who seek therapeutic treatment ranging between 20 and 60 years old. Although a wide target group, they share many of the same characteristics and needs when it comes to therapy. Through their sensory attributes, objects have the power to arouse emotion in human beings. Understanding the challenges and characteristics of sufferers and how to manipulate visual and tactile stimuli to elicit emotion is central to this thesis. The aim is to use sensory stimulation, chiefly through form and haptics, to offer a non-verbal experiential tool that acts as a vehicle to explore emotion, particularly the naming and expression of emotion, and acts as a supporting aid for emotion-focused work in standard psychotherapy.