Handout: Learning to feel good sharing positive emotion: the Positive Affect Tolerance protocol

This free PDF provides the complete 2015 handout for session 432 of the EMDRIA Conference, presented August 30, 2015, in Philadelphia, PA by Andrew M. Leeds, Ph.D.

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Abstract

Insufficient maternal-infant play and flat maternal affect leave survivors of early neglect prone to depersonalization and to experiencing shared positive emotion as aversive. The AIP Model, Attachment theory, Putnam's discrete behavioral states and McCullough's affect phobia models will be synthesized in the theoretical foundation for the Positive Affect Tolerance and Integration Protocol (PAT; Leeds, 2002, 2006). An updated PAT protocol using EMDR procedural steps – with slight modifications – is presented to increase tolerance for shared positive emotional states, develop resilience and a more positive self-concept. Case examples illustrate criteria and potential benefits of this approach with the aim of encouraging further research.