The Experiential Therapy of Shoma Morita: A Comparison to Contemporary Cognitive Behavior Therapies (Ce ARTICLE: 1.5 CE Credits) (Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT A recent trend in psychotherapies has been to utilize techniques that have an unmistakable Eastern signature, such as mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies. Although these approaches have been met with widespread clinical and empirical support, an analysis of the origins of these approaches has so far been limited. This paper will redress this tendency by highlighting a Japanese form of treatment known as Morita Therapy, note the development of this approach, and outline how it is currently practiced. A further objective is to delineate how this approach aligns with contemporary cognitive behavior therapies (sometimes known as "third wave" therapies) such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in regards to case conceptualization, diagnosis, and intervention. It is hoped that this effort will open a stronger narrative regarding the core processes of these approaches and foster a greater integration and synthesis of contemporary Eastern and Western therapies.