Clinical Philosophy

Clinical biopsychology extends the neo-Lurian Dimensional Systems Model of cortical functioning, involving the three sources of negative emotional states:

Directly from ongoing negative situations (e.g., physical and pain problems, relationship disagreements)
Directly from activation of stored negative emotional memories (e.g., past problematic relationships, traumas)
Indirectly due to the inability to stimulate stored positive emotional memories (e.g., life losses, including positive relationships)

The clinical biopsychology model is useful in identifying relevant assessment areas, leading directly to the conceptualization of a client's problem. Consideration of past, present and future areas of treatment focus lead to distinctions being drawn between treatments that address each of the cortical hemispheres and their coordinated and congruent functioning.

Regarding treatment of past negative emotional memories, the model suggests that more traditional approaches of imaginal flooding and in vivo desensitization are effective in addressing non-relationship traumatic memories. These procedures can, however, fail to address problematic relationship memories (e.g., abusive parent or siblings, negative peer interactions, work relationship difficulties, etc.) effectively. Alternatively, the techniques used in emotional restructuring can effectively address such memories.

Opponent process theory integrates well into the overall model, suggesting how life losses lead to characteristic depressive symptoms and why such reactions should be considered normal.

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