In Multimodal Therapy, what does the “A” in BASIC I.D. stand for?

In Multimodal Therapy, the “A” in BASIC I.D. stands for Affective response. BASIC I.D. is an acronym developed by Arnold Lazarus, which represents various modalities of human experience that are essential for a comprehensive approach to therapy. The acronym breaks down as follows: Behavior, Affective response, Sensation, Imagery, Cognition, Interpersonal relationships, and Drugs/biological factors.

Affective responses refer to emotional experiences and feelings that a client exhibits or expresses. Recognizing and addressing these emotional responses is crucial in Multimodal Therapy because emotions significantly influence behavior and thought processes. The therapeutic approach emphasizes the importance of understanding these affective responses to effectively assist clients in achieving their goals and improving their overall well-being.

In contrast, while alterations of behavior, assessment of cognition, and anxiety management are also important components of therapy, they correspond to different aspects of the BASIC I.D. framework and do not represent the “A” component of this acronym. Focusing on affective responses helps therapists to create a more empathetic and effective therapeutic relationship.