ABSTRACT
As discussed in a previous chapter, clients often have used unhelpful strategies to cope with their emotions—such as suppression, avoidance, rumination, blaming and substance abuse. In this chapter, adaptive strategies are reviewed. An important source of information about what can be adaptive for the client is the historic use of strategies that have worked for this individual. For example, a client whose prior moods have changed because they got involved in rewarding activities may once again find activity scheduling useful. Clients who have previously improved though social support may respond favorably to this strategy. In addition, other helpful strategies can be proposed—such as cognitive reappraisal, self-reward, problem solving, setting achievable goals, acceptance, mindfulness, self compassion and other strategies. The Emotional Schema model argues for greater flexibility—that is, a full range of strategies—rather than basing its solutions on any particular strategy.
