Date of Award
Spring 5-16-2025
Document Type
Project (696 or 796 registration)
Degree Name
Master of Science in Counseling
Department
Graduate Studies
Committee Chair
Aaron Suomala Folkerds
Keywords
alexithymia, emotional awareness, alexithymia training
Abstract
Alexithymia, a trans-diagnostic construct characterized by a disability to identify and articulate emotions, has received increasing attention within the medical and psychiatric communities due to its profound, negative impact on treatment outcomes. This paper provides insight into its complex and pervasive nature, its conceptualization and assessment, underlying neurobiological mechanisms and acquisition, extensive comorbidities, treatment implications, clinical manifestations, clinical considerations, and analysis of the existing body of research. While previous research assumed Alexithymia to be largely untreatable, recent publications have indicated its ability to be affected by emotional-awareness skill building and relationally based interventions, though no specific treatments for Alexithymia currently exist. As such, an increase in clinical awareness is necessary to spread knowledge and understanding of this construct to allow for additional research to take place. To address this gap in awareness, a comprehensive training is included which provides an overview of Alexithymia and its importance within the mental health field.
Keywords: alexithymia, emotional awareness, alexithymia training
Recommended Citation
Friedman, Jessica C., "Alexithymia: A Review of Existing Literature and a Prospective Route for Future Training" (2025). Dissertations, Theses, and Projects. 1027.
https://red.mnstate.edu/thesis/1027
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Cognition and Perception Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Somatic Psychology Commons