Brief Psychological Techniques

Structured intervention tools used within time-limited psychological practice.

What Defines a Technique?

A technique is a structured intervention tool applied within one or more psychological approaches. Unlike full therapeutic models, techniques do not constitute independent theoretical systems.

They represent focused methods designed to facilitate measurable psychological change within defined sessions. Within the IISTP Registry, techniques are documented according to:

Conceptual Clarity

The technique is clearly defined in terms of purpose, mechanism and intended psychological effect within structured practice contexts.

Defined Intervention Logic

The technique follows a recognizable procedural logic, outlining how it is applied and how change is facilitated.

Application Context

The technique specifies the clinical or counseling settings in which it is appropriately and ethically implemented.

Cross-Model Usability

The technique may operate within multiple theoretical frameworks while maintaining consistency in its core structure.

The registry

Techniques Included in the IISTP Global Registry

Structured intervention tools used within time-limited psychological frameworks.

Solution-Focused / Motivational
Scaling Questions

Structured rating intervention used to quantify subjective states and monitor progress across sessions.

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Solution-Focused
Miracle Question

Future-oriented questioning method designed to clarify goals and activate solution-focused cognition.

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Behavioral / CBT
Behavioral Activation

Structured intervention targeting avoidance patterns through scheduled engagement in reinforcing activities.

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Cognitive-Behavioral
Cognitive Restructuring

Systematic identification and modification of maladaptive thought patterns influencing emotional responses.

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ACT
Values Clarification

Structured exploration process identifying personal values to guide behavior change.

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Behavioral / CBT
Behavioral

Graduated or direct confrontation with feared stimuli to reduce avoidance and anxiety responses.

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Gestalt
Empty Chair Technique

Experiential dialogue method facilitating emotional processing and unresolved relational dynamics.

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Cognitive Tradition
Socratic Questioning

Guided inquiry technique used to examine assumptions and promote cognitive flexibility.

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Systemic / Constructivist
Reframing

Cognitive and contextual shift intervention altering perception of situations or behaviors.

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Integrative
Guided Imagery

Structured visualization method used for emotional regulation and experiential processing.

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Motivational Interviewing
Decisional Balance

Structured exploration of ambivalence through systematic evaluation of change-related pros and cons.

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Cognitive-Behavioral
Thought Record

Structured worksheet used to identify automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions and alternative responses.

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Cognitive-Behavioral
Behavioral Experiment

Empirical testing procedure used to examine beliefs through structured real-world behavioral trials.

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Gestalt
Chair Dialogue (Two-Chair Work)

Experiential method facilitating dialogue between conflicting internal parts.

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Psychodrama
Role Reversal

Experiential technique promoting perspective shift through enacted relational positioning.

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Narrative Therapy
Problem Externalization

Technique separating person from problem to facilitate re-authoring and cognitive flexibility.

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Integrative / Trauma-informed
Timeline Reprocessing

Structured recall sequencing method organizing autobiographical experience within therapeutic containment.

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Short-Term Psychodynamic
Focal Conflict Identification

Structured identification of core relational pattern driving current symptom expression.

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Behavioral / Outcome Measurement
Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS)

Structured scaling method quantifying individualized therapeutic progress.

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Registry Applications & Development Track

The entries presented in this section have completed the IISTP Registry application and inclusion review process.

They are included to ensure transparency and continuity in documentation. Updates regarding their framework documentation, related modules and publication trajectory are maintained within their Registry entries.

INTEGRATIVE INTERVENTION TOOL
Expansion Therapy
  • Status: Registered Tool – Documentation & Publication Phase
  • Established: 2015
  • Origin: Greece

Expansion Trauma Therapy is a structured three-session trauma-focused intervention designed for intensive emotional processing within a defined short-term framework. The tool operates within the broader Expansion methodology and follows a contained integration structure.

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INTEGRATIVE INTERVENTION TOOL
Expansion CBT
  • Status: Registered Tool – Documentation Phase
  • Established: 2015
  • Origin: Greece

Expansion CBT is a structured six-session intervention integrating cognitive-behavioral restructuring with trauma-informed processing to support measurable behavioral adjustment within brief practice.

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INTEGRATIVE INTERVENTION TOOL
Expansion Existential
  • Status: Registered Tool – Documentation Phase
  • Established: 2015
  • Origin: Greece

Expansion Existential is a structured short-term existential intervention addressing grief, transition and meaning reconstruction within a defined therapeutic arc.

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INTEGRATIVE INTERVENTION TOOL
Expansion Body
  • Status: Registered Tool – Documentation Phase
  • Established: 2015
  • Origin: Greece

Expansion Body comprises structured somatic discharge and regulation techniques applied within integrative brief psychological practice.

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IISTP Registry Submission – Approach or Technique

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Which theoretical framework does this approach or technique originate from?
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<strong>Legal Status of the Approach / Technique</strong>
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Describe the intended psychological function of this approach or technique.
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