Cognitive science, autoregulation, and psychotherapy: Advancing dialectical behavior therapy

Recent developments in certain aspects of the field of cognitive science have not significantly influenced clinical psychology. This paper is an attempt to demonstrate the relevance of cognitive science, and specifically autoregulation, to clinical psychology. First, a brief history of cognitive science is offered followed by an in depth review of autoregulation research. Recent autoregulation research lends support to a limited resource or capacity model of executive functioning. This research demonstrates that the executive functions of the self have a shared energy supply which depletes rather rapidly and then presents as fully depleted. Nevertheless, there is an emergency reserve of this energy source which is available when needed. The executive functions of the self that deplete this shared limited resource include resisting temptation, controlling emotions, suppressing thoughts, making choices, and concentrating among others. It is hypothesized that many clinical psychology treatments could be undermined by resource depletion. A clinical example illustrating how autoregulation research can be incorporated into clinical psychology treatment protocols is offered using Dialectical Behavior Therapy, an empirically supported treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder.