A multimodal behavioral approach to performance anxiety.
Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) stresses a trimodal assessment framework (affect, behavior, and cognition [ABC]), whereas the multimodal approach assesses seven discrete but interactive components--behavior, affect, sensation, imagery, cognition, interpersonal relationships, and drugs/biological factors (BASIC I.D.). Only complex or recalcitrant cases call for the entire seven-pronged range of multimodal interventions. Various case illustrations are offered as examples of how a clinician might proceed when confronted with problems that fall under the general heading of performance anxiety. The main example is of a violinist in a symphony orchestra whose career was in serious jeopardy because of his extreme fear of performing in public. He responded very well to a focused but elaborate desensitization procedure. The hierarchy that was eventually constructed contained many dimensions and subhierarchies featuring interlocking elements that evoked his anxiety. In addition to imaginal systematic desensitization, sessions were devoted to his actual performance in the clinical setting. As a homework assignment, he found it helpful to listen to a long-playing record of an actual rehearsal and to play along with the world-renowned orchestra and conductor. The subsequent disclosure by the client of an important sexual problem was dealt with concomitantly by using a fairly conventional counseling procedure. Therapy required 20 sessions over a 3-month period.
Lazarus
Arnold A
AA
Rutgers University, Princeton, NJ 08540, aalaz@aol.com.
Abramovitz
Arnold
A
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001307:Auditory Perception; D003071:Cognition; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009146:Music; D016896:Treatment Outcome