Stress Inoculation Therapy

Question 1

What is the first stage of stress inoculation therapy?

Answer 1

Conceptualisation phase

Question 2

What happens in the conceptualisation phase of SIT?

Answer 2

Client is educated about the nature of stress and its effect on individuals.

There is a focus on client’s cognitive appraisal of stressors and their own ability to cope with them.

Question 3

What is the second stage of SIT?

Answer 3

Skills acquisition and rehearsal phase

Question 4

What happens in the skill acquisition and rehearsal phase of SIT?

Answer 4

Client is helped to learn the skills they need to cope with stress. Major element is learning to monitor and use self-talk effectively.

Question 5

What is the third stage of SIT?

Answer 5

Real-life application and follow-through phase

Question 6

What happens in the real-life application and follow-through phase?

Answer 6

Therapist creates opportunities for the client to try out their skills in a safe place.

Techniques used to increase realism include: role playing; visualisation; virtual reality and mobile apps.

Relapse prevention - therapist helps prepare the client to cope with setbacks.

Therapist prepares client to attribute success to their own skills and not to luck/chance or another external agent (internal vs external locus of control)

Question 7

How long does SIT last?

Answer 7

Varies from client to client.

Typically 9-12 sessions of an 1-1.5 hours each. Spread out over long period.