REVIEWS
“This masterful book presents an empathic, individualized approach to treating a range of behaviors that might interfere with living a valued life, including, but not limited to, harmful alcohol and drug use, eating behaviors, and gambling. Wupperman's caring and compassion are clearly evident. The treatment artfully brings together concepts and techniques from motivational interviewing, behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and all of the 'third-wave' therapies. What I love most about the treatment is the focus on the client’s perspective and individual values, as well as the depathologizing of behaviors that are getting in the way for a client. I can picture many clients who would benefit from Wupperman’s pragmatic and compassionate approach. ”
—Katie Witkiewitz, PhD, Regents’ Professor of Psychology, University of New Mexico
“The book does an excellent job of helping therapists provide [effective treatment] to help clients with dysregulated behavior develop a new positive therapeutic routine. Ongoing description on how and when to use authentic affirmation, validation, and therapeutic self-disclosure is provided throughout the book. These valuable client-centered tips help therapists develop a strong, empathic, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship….Detailed descriptions of session content and process from intake to termination are provided with important insights on how to handle expected client reactions and issues. [Mindfulness and Modification Therapy (MMT)] provides an effective treatment protocol grounded in evidence-based principles, while respectful of the therapist’s clinical judgment, their need to be flexible and authentic in order to develop a strong therapeutic relationship. In the era of manualized therapy where clinicians grapple with the question, ‘Do you want to be effective or do you want to be authentic,’ Dr. Wupperman may have found a way to be both.”
—Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy
“Wupperman tackles the thorny problem of dysregulated behavior with an elegant intervention empowered by the science of mindfulness and behavior change. Seamlessly interweaving elements of dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, the book provides the tools and perspectives that clinicians need to help people who suffer with chronic, unworkable patterns of action. This is a focused approach, and it is on target.”
—Dennis Tirch, PhD, Founding Director, The Center for Compassion Focused Therapy, New York City
“Wupperman addresses a major gap in the field, offering a much-needed resource for clinicians and researchers. By targeting the shared factors that underlie the development and maintenance of diverse forms of behavioral dysregulation, MMT has utility for clients with a broad range of presenting problems. MMT is unique in its explicit focus on validation and the therapeutic relationship—recognized components of treatment effectiveness that, unfortunately, often are not clearly emphasized in existing cognitive-behavioral treatment protocols. By assisting clients in identifying and pursuing life values, MMT not only aids clients in reducing behavioral dysregulation, but also helps them build the life they want to live.”
—Matthew T. Tull, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Toledo
“This book provides a structured yet very flexible transdiagnostic approach to the treatment of people with dysregulated behavior. It will serve as a practical guide for beginning therapists or those experienced in any therapeutic modality who want to deepen their skills for working with this population. I highly recommend this book and the MMT approach to clinicians in a variety of settings, from inpatient psychiatric units to drug and alcohol centers to eating disorder clinics.”
—Guy Undrill, PhD, MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, United Kingdom; member, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT)
“Even the most seasoned practitioners feel overwhelmed by clients presenting with severely dysregulated behavior coupled with impaired relationships. Wupperman masterfully presents an integrative approach for achieving positive outcomes. She fully anticipates the therapeutic challenges and offers expert, step-by-step guidance for effectively treating dysregulated clients with affirming, nonjudgmental interventions.”
—Richard Rogers, PhD, ABPP, Regents Professor of Psychology, University of North Texas
Selected Relevant Peer-Reviewed Publications
Mitchell, J. E., & Wupperman, P. (2023). Mindfulness treatment for domestic violence. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 1-22.
Delazar, E., Hadianfard, H., Aflakseir, A., & Kousha, M. (2022). The Effectiveness of Mindfulness and Modification Therapy on impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors in adolescents with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Quarterly Journal of Child Mental Health, 9, 100-109
Edwards, E. R., Liu, Y., Ruiz, D., Brosowsky, N. P., & Wupperman, P. (2020). Maladaptive emotional schemas and emotional functioning: Evaluation of an integrated model across two independent samples. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 1-28.
Wupperman, P., Burns, N., Pugach, C.P., & Edwards, E. (2019). Treatment for individuals with severe mental illness who use illicit drugs while maintained on methadone: Mindfulness and Modification Therapy. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.
Wupperman. P., Douglas, J., Mitchell, J., Harris, C. (2019). Transdiagnostic Treatment for Impulsive and Addictive Behavior: Mindfulness and Modification Therapy. Advances in Cognitive Therapy, 19, 8-11.
Wupperman, P., Ryan, B., Unachukwu, F., Edwards, E. (). A transdiagnostic treatment for behavioral dysregulation: A case series of Mindfulness and Modification Therapy targeting binge eating.
Edwards, E., Gintoft-Cohen, M., & Wupperman, P. (2016). Barriers to implementation of mindfulness in therapy for substance abuse: Results from a preliminary survey of substance therapists in community clinics. Substance Use & Misuse.
Wupperman, P., Gintoft-Cohen, M., Haller, D.L., Flom, P., Litt, L.C., & Rounsaville, B.J. (2015). Mindfulness and Modification Therapy for behavior dysregulation: A comparison trial focused on substance use and aggression. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71, 964-978.
Westphal, M., Leahy, R. L., & Wupperman, P. (2016). Self-Compassion and emotional invalidation mediate the effects of parental indifference on psychopathology. Psychiatry Review.
Edwards, E., & Wupperman, P. (2016). Emotion regulation mediates effects of alexithymia and emotion differentiation on aggressive behavior. Deviant Behavior.
Wupperman, P., Fickling, M., Klemanski, D., Berking, M., & Whitman, J.E. (2013). Harmful behavioral dysregulation: The effect of mindfulness. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69, 903-911.
Gintoft-Cohen, M., Wupperman, P., & Tau, G. (2013). Mindfulness in the treatment of adolescents with problem substance use. Adolescent Psychiatry. 3, 172-183.
Berking, M., & Wupperman, P. (2012). Emotion regulation and mental health: Recent findings, current challenges, and future directions. Current Opinions in Psychiatry, 25, 128-134.
Wupperman, P., Marlatt, G.A., Cunningham, A., Bowen, S., Berking, M., Mulvihill-Rivera, N., & Easton, C.E. (2012). Mindfulness and Modification Therapy for behavior dysregulation: Results from a pilot study targeting female alcohol use and aggression. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 68, 50-66.
Berking, M., Margraf, M, Ebert, D., Wupperman, P., Hofmann, S., & Junghanns, K. (2011). Deficits in emotion-regulation skills predict alcohol use during and after cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol dependence. Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology, 79, 307-318.
Wupperman, P., Neumann, C.S., Whitman, J.E., & Axelrod, S.R. (2009). The role of mindfulness in borderline personality features in an inpatient sample. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 197, 766-772.
Wupperman, P., Neumann, C.S., & Axelrod, S.R. (2008). Do deficits in mindfulness underlie borderline personality features and core difficulties? Journal of Personality Disorders, 22, 466-482.
Selected Relevant PEER-Reviewed Presentations
Lee, D. & Sanguyu, M. (2023, November). Effects of Mindfulness and Modification Therapy on emotion regulation in clients referred for anger and substance-use issues. Presented at the 56th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, Seattle, WA.
Wupperman, P., Lee, D., & Sanguyu, M. (2022, November). Treating impulsive, addictive, and self-destructive behaviors. Workshop presented at the 85th annual convention of the New York State Psychological Association. Online
Wupperman, P., Lee, D., Sanguyu, M., Harris, C., & & Zagorin, A. (2022, April). Treating impulsive, addictive, and self-destructive behaviors: An integrated approach. Workshop presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Wupperman, P., & Mitchell, J.E. (2020, November). Improving Motivation and Engagement in Clients with Dysregulated Behavior: Strategies from Mindfulness and Modification Therapy. Ticketed workshop presented at the 54th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, Online.
Engle, J., & Wupperman, P. (2020, November). Effects of Mindfulness and Modification Therapy on general psychopathology. Presented at the 53rd annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, Atlanta, GA.
Douglas, J.K., & Wupperman, P. (2020, November). Moderating Effect of Trait Mindfulness on Acute Changes in Emotion. Presented at the 53rd annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, Atlanta, GA.
Wupperman, P., Burns, N., Mitchell, J.E., & Douglas, J. (2019, November). Improving Treatment of Impulsive and Addictive Behaviors. Presented at the 53rd annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, Atlanta, GA.
Harris,C., & Wupperman, P. (2019, November). Mindfulness and Modification Therapy (MMT) as treatment for PTSD symptoms in women with aggression and substance-use issues. Presented at the 35th annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Boston, MA.
Wupperman, P., Burns, N., Douglas, MacDonald, S., Wentt, B., & Douglas, J.. (2019, November). An integrated therapy for impulsive and addictive behavior: New Findings on Mindfulness and Modification Therapy. Paper accepted for presentation at the annual conference of the American Psychology-Law Society, Portland, OR.
Wupperman, P., Pugach, C., & Burns, N. (2017, November). Improving treatment for clients with trauma symptoms and addictive/impulsive behavior: Mindfulness and Modification Therapy. Presented at the 33rd annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Chicago, IL.
Wupperman, P., Shapiro, R. N., & Viola, M. (2016, November). Improving compliance and outcome in clients with trauma symptoms and dysregulated (addictive/impulsive) behavior. Presented at the 32nd annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Dallas, TX.
Wupperman, P., Unachukwa, F., Ryan, B., Reed, A.L. & Gintoft-Cohen, M. (2015, May). A transdiagnostic therapy for behavioral dysregulation: Findings across pilot trials of Mindfulness and Modification Therapy. Presented at the 27th annual convention of the Association for Psychological Science, New York, NY.
Wupperman, P., Unachukwa, F., Ryan, B., Reed, A.L., Shapiro, R., Li, Q., & Gintoft-Cohen, M. (2015, April). A transdiagnostic therapy for dual disorders: Mindfulness and Modification Therapy. Presented at the 4th International Congress of Dual Disorders, Barcelona, Spain.
Wupperman, P., Dong, J., & Ryan, B. (2013, June). Improving outcome in clients with behavioral dysregulation: Findings and strategies from Mindfulness and Modification Therapy. Paper presented at the 76th annual convention of the New York State Psychological Association, New York, NY.
Wupperman, P., Varley, J., Yehezkel, M., Tioleco, N., & Gintoft-Cohen, M. (2012, November). Mindfulness and Modification Therapy for behavioral dysregulation: Findings from clinical trials. Paper presented at the 46th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, New Harbor, MD.
Wupperman, P., & Varley, J. (2012, March). Mindfulness and Modification Therapy for behavioral dysregulation: Results and strategies. Paper presented at the 10th annual International Scientific Conference of the Investigation and Integration of Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society, Boston, MA.
Wupperman, P., Gintoft-Cohen, M., Yehezkel, M., DiNapoli, M., & Cunningham, A. (2010, November). Mindfulness and Modification Therapy for behavioral dysregulation: Preliminary research targeting substance use and aggression. Paper presented at the 44th annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, San Francisco, CA.
Wuppermann, P., Gintoft-Cohen, M., Yehekel, M., & Easton, C.E. (2010, January). Mindfulness and Modification Therapy (MMT): Targeting violence and substance abuse in women. Paper presented at the National Summit on Interpersonal Violence, Dallas, TX.
Wupperman, P., Cunningham, A., Axelrod, S.R., Mulvilhill, N., & Eason, C.J. (2008, November). Integrated treatment targeting aggression and substance abuse: A pilot study. Paper presented at the 42nd annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, Orlando, FL.
Wupperman, P., Axelrod, S.R., Neumann, C., Whitman, J., & Pisciotta, A. (2007, November). Do deficits in mindfulness underlie difficulties with behavioral dyscontrol? Paper presented at the 41st annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
Axelrod, S.R., & Wupperman, P. (2007, November). Symposium Co-Chair: The role of mindfulness in conceptualizing and treating disorders of emotional regulation. Symposium presented at the 41st annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive and Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.
Wupperman, P., Neumann, C.S., Axelrod, S.R., Salsman, N., & Berking, M. (2007, June) Mindfulness deficits as a construct explaining emotion dysregulation, behavioral dyscontrol and interpersonal difficulties. Paper presented at the 38th annual meeting of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, Madison, Wisconsin.