Stressful Inoculation training (3)
Stressful thinking
★ Most stressors we have no control over, but we can control how we think about
the stressor
★ If we think about a stressful situation positively - we are happier, optimistic and
able to cope
★ We can think of them negatively - we are overwhelmed, confused and unable to
cope (SIT aims to avoid this)
★ Change in thinking (thoughts about stressor) ➡ emotions (reaction to stressor)
➡ behaviour (ability to cope)
Inoculation
★ Don Meichenbaum and Roy Cameron (1973) created a therapy specifically made
to target stress
★ Aim: protect us from stressors before they happen
★ This is done by exposing us to the stress in a safe environment
★ Learn coping skills ➡ apply them when we come across a future similar stress
SIT IS DIVIDED INTO 3 PHASES
Phase 1: Cognitive preparations
★ Starts with the client and therapist identifying and understanding the stressors
faced by the client
★ Meichenbaum (2007) states the relationship between the client and therapist is
important to success in SIT
★ Phase 1 is a collaboration between the client and therapist, but the client is
responsible for their own progress
★ The client should recognise stressors are challenges rather than threats
★ Overwhelming stressors can be broken down into smaller elements
Phase 2: Skill acquisition
★ Client learn the skill to cope with stress
★ Therapist has skills, including; relaxation, social skills, time management,
communication and cognitive reconstructing
★ The choice of skills are tailored to the clients specific needs
Stressful thinking
★ Most stressors we have no control over, but we can control how we think about
the stressor
★ If we think about a stressful situation positively - we are happier, optimistic and
able to cope
★ We can think of them negatively - we are overwhelmed, confused and unable to
cope (SIT aims to avoid this)
★ Change in thinking (thoughts about stressor) ➡ emotions (reaction to stressor)
➡ behaviour (ability to cope)
Inoculation
★ Don Meichenbaum and Roy Cameron (1973) created a therapy specifically made
to target stress
★ Aim: protect us from stressors before they happen
★ This is done by exposing us to the stress in a safe environment
★ Learn coping skills ➡ apply them when we come across a future similar stress
SIT IS DIVIDED INTO 3 PHASES
Phase 1: Cognitive preparations
★ Starts with the client and therapist identifying and understanding the stressors
faced by the client
★ Meichenbaum (2007) states the relationship between the client and therapist is
important to success in SIT
★ Phase 1 is a collaboration between the client and therapist, but the client is
responsible for their own progress
★ The client should recognise stressors are challenges rather than threats
★ Overwhelming stressors can be broken down into smaller elements
Phase 2: Skill acquisition
★ Client learn the skill to cope with stress
★ Therapist has skills, including; relaxation, social skills, time management,
communication and cognitive reconstructing
★ The choice of skills are tailored to the clients specific needs
