What Is Stress Inoculation Therapy and can it help treat Behavioral Issues?

Stress Inoculation Therapy also is known as SIT is a form of therapy with an emphasis on helping patients deal with stressful situations.

This is to ensure the patient is able to respond with minimal anger and behavioral issues.

How does it work?

The overarching goal of the treatment is for patients to be educated about stressful situations and the negative outcomes that may result from their behavior when they are stressed.

SIT can be viewed as taking place over the course of three phases. 

1)Initial Conceptualization:

The therapist explains stress and stress reactions and the unconscious coping habits that can unintentionally cause stress to worsen. Then the patient and the therapist discover what is truly at the heart of the patient’s behavioral issues.

2) Skills Acquisition and Rehearsal:

Skills are taught to the patient in order to combat his current responses.  The patient will be taught a variety of emotion regulation skills such as relaxation techniques, and problem-solving skills among many more.

3) Application and Follow Through:

The patient is supposed to practice the coping skills that were worked on in order to test the progress. Stimulation methods can be helpful for the patient to practice as well. This can include visualization exercises, role-playing of a feared or stressful situation and basic practice of coping strategies until they become second nature.

How to know when it is successful?

Once the patient is able to successfully implement the coping skills and start seeing positive changes, it is fair to say that SIT therapy has run its course for that patient. The patient will realize SIT is no longer necessary when they can have practical plans in place for dealing with difficult and stressful situations and don’t succumb to their former behavioral issues.

How long does treatment take?

The length of intervention varies widely and is on a case by case basis. However, usually, it is concluded in about 8 to 15 sessions with follow up sessions for a couple of months in order to ensure that the therapy was a success.

The Takeaway

SIT therapy can be very helpful for those dealing with behavioral issues specifically related to stress and anxiety.