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Jon Vøllestad's picture
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Silje K. Robinson
  • E-mailJon.Vollestad@uib.no
  • Phone+47 55 58 49 39
  • Visitor Address
    Alrek helseklynge, Årstadveien 17
    5009 Bergen
  • Postal Address
    Postboks 7807
    5020 Bergen

My research interests revolve around the understanding and treatment of anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders. I have been particularly interested in how acceptance and mindfulness can be beneficial for individuals dealing with anxiety and recurrent depression. I have participated in various clinical studies exploring this area. 

Currently, my primary focus is on transdiagnostic treatment, which targets common vulnerability factors underlying various disorders rather than specific diagnoses.Together with colleagues at the University of Bergen (UiB) and internationally, I am researching the transdiagnostic model "Unified Protocol." We are also working towards implementing this approach in Norwegian mental health care and other settings.  

 

Academic article
  • Show author(s) (2023). What I missed from my online therapist: A survey-based qualitative investigation of patient experiences of therapist contact in guided internet interventions. Frontiers in Psychology.
  • Show author(s) (2023). Unified Protocol. Transdiagnostisk behandling for emosjonelle lidelser . Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 821-830.
  • Show author(s) (2022). Self-Compassion and Its Association With Ruminative Tendencies and Vagally Mediated Heart Rate Variability in Recurrent Major Depression. Frontiers in Psychology.
  • Show author(s) (2022). From seeing difficult behaviour to recognizing legitimate needs–A qualitative study of mothers' experiences of participating in a Circle of Security Parenting program in a public mental health setting. Psychotherapy Research. 1-13.
  • Show author(s) (2021). Self-criticism and self-reassurance in individuals with recurrent depression: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and relationship to relapse. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 1-12.
  • Show author(s) (2020). To make a run for IT – A feasibility study of ICBT combined with physical exercise for patients with panic disorder. Psychiatry Research. 1-9.
  • Show author(s) (2020). The effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on risk and protective factors of depressive relapse – a randomized wait-list controlled trial . BMC Psychology.
  • Show author(s) (2020). Participant experiences of change in mindfulness-based stress reduction for anxiety disorders. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being.
  • Show author(s) (2020). Is Dispositional Self-Compassion Associated With Psychophysiological Flexibility Beyond Mindfulness? An Exploratory Pilot Study. Frontiers in Psychology.
  • Show author(s) (2019). The association between juvenile onset of depression and emotion regulation difficulties. Frontiers in Psychology. 1-12.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Can clinical psychology students benefit from brief and intensive mindfulness training? Counselling and Psychotherapy Research.
  • Show author(s) (2018). Mindfulness – a review of knowledge status and relevance for psychological treatment. Scandinavian Psychologist.
  • Show author(s) (2016). An open trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for young adults with social anxiety disorder. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. 80-90.
  • Show author(s) (2015). A feasibility study on combining internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy with physical exercise as treatment for panic disorder—treatment protocol and preliminary results. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. 275-287.
  • Show author(s) (2013). The Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire in Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. 250-260.
  • Show author(s) (2012). Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions for anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Psychology. 239-260.
  • Show author(s) (2011). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for patients with anxiety disorders: Evaluation in a randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy. 281-288.
  • Show author(s) (2010). Å være til stede sammen: Oppmerksomt nærvær i psykoterapi. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 112-117.
  • Show author(s) (2009). Får jeg det til? en kartlegging av studentterapeuters bekymringer. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 240-245.
  • Show author(s) (2007). Oppmerksomt nærvær meditative teknikker som utgangspunkt for psykologisk behandling. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 860-867.
Lecture
  • Show author(s) (2016). Å være med det som er: Kropp, følelser og mindfulness.
  • Show author(s) (2016). Mindfulness og psykisk helse. Hva vet vi – og hvordan kan vi bruke det vi vet?
  • Show author(s) (2016). Mentalization and mindfulness: similarities and differences. Dialogmøte.
  • Show author(s) (2016). Hvordan virker mindfulness?
  • Show author(s) (2014). Hva vi vet og ikke vet: utfordringer og dilemmaer i forskning på mindfulness.
Popular scientific lecture
  • Show author(s) (2023). Virker egentlig psykoterapi?
  • Show author(s) (2019). Er det sunt å lese romaner? .
Academic lecture
  • Show author(s) (2023). EN behandling for alt? Transdiagnostisk tilnærming til emosjonelle lidelser. .
  • Show author(s) (2018). Combining manualised physical exercise with internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for panic disorder – A feasibility study.
  • Show author(s) (2015). Participant Experiences of Augmented Treatment Combining Internet Based CBT and Physical Exercise as Treatment for Panic Disorder - Preliminary Findings from Qualitative Interviews. iN Anders Hovland (Chair), Augmenting CBT with physical exercise for anxiety disorders.
  • Show author(s) (2015). Combining Internet Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Physical Exercise as Treatment for Panic Disorder - Treatment Protocol and Preliminary Results from a Feasibility Study. In: Anders Hovland (Chair), Augmenting CBT with physical exercise for anxiety disorders.
  • Show author(s) (2010). Mindfulness-basert behandling av angstlidelser.
  • Show author(s) (2010). Mindfulness training for patients with anxiety disorders - results from a randomized controlled trial.
  • Show author(s) (2008). Oppmerksomt nærvær og psykoterapi.
  • Show author(s) (2008). Oppmerksomt nærvær og psykologisk behandling.
  • Show author(s) (2008). Oppmerksomt nærvær.
  • Show author(s) (2008). Oppmerksomt nærvær.
  • Show author(s) (2008). Oppmerksomhetstrening for mestring av angstlidelser.
Non-fiction book
  • Show author(s) (2014). Mindfulness i psykologisk behandling. Universitetsforlaget.
Thesis at a second degree level
  • Show author(s) (2011). The impact of mindfulness training on self-reported mindfulness: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
  • Show author(s) (2010). En empirisk studie av sammenhenger mellom oppmerksomt nærvær og personlighetstrekk i et norsk studentutvalg.
  • Show author(s) (2009). Sinnet som relasjonelt knutepunkt: En teoretisk undersøkelse av intersubjektiv psykoanalyse og buddhistisk psykologi.
  • Show author(s) (2009). A Qualitative Study of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Anxiety Disorders - Developing a Friendly Relationship to Experience.
Popular scientific article
  • Show author(s) (2020). En mann for vår tid. Bokessay om boken "Sick souls, healthy minds. How William James can save your life" av John Kaag. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 530-536.
Feature article
  • Show author(s) (2018). Evidensbasert visdom : bokessay . Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 218 -226.
  • Show author(s) (2010). Zen og kunsten å holde beina på bakken. Dagbladet.
  • Show author(s) (2010). Stort udekket behandlingsbehov. Bergens Tidende.
  • Show author(s) (2007). Å være til stede. Bergens Tidende.
Doctoral dissertation
  • Show author(s) (2011). Mindfulness-based treatment for anxiety disorders: A quantitative review of the evidence, results from a randomized controlled trial, and qualitative exploration of patient experiences.
Interview
  • Show author(s) (2019). Selvets Amerika.
  • Show author(s) (2018). Oppsummerer hva vi vet om mindfulness.
  • Show author(s) (2008). Tankekraft funker mot stress.
  • Show author(s) (2007). Skal få stressede på andre tanker.
Programme participation
  • Show author(s) (2023). Virker egentlig psykoterapi?
  • Show author(s) (2022). Salong: Den gåtefulle søvnen.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
  • Show author(s) (2015). Mindfulness- and Acceptance-based Interventions in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. 41 pages.
  • Show author(s) (2013). «Mindfulness»-baserte intervensjoner i behandling av angstlidelser. 9 pages.
Academic literature review
  • Show author(s) (2018). Emotion regulation in current and remitted depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology. 20 pages.
  • Show author(s) (2015). The Impact of Group-Based Mindfulness Training on Self-Reported Mindfulness: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Mindfulness. 501-522.
Article in business/trade/industry journal
  • Show author(s) (2017). En god sirkel. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 546-556.
  • Show author(s) (2016). Postmodernisme på norsk. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 942-947.
  • Show author(s) (2016). En øvelse i å være med det som er. Psykologisk.no – Scandinavian Psychologist. 6 pages.
  • Show author(s) (2015). Om tungsinn og rosiner. Psykologisk.no – Scandinavian Psychologist.
  • Show author(s) (2013). How may mindfulness help in working with substance use disorders. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 194-200.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Can mindfulness be of help in coping with substance abuse. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 112-115.
Interview Journal
  • Show author(s) (2008). Når en verker etter lindring oppmerksomt nærvær som forebygging. Tidsskrift for Norsk Psykologforening. 990-991.
  • Show author(s) (2007). Tilstede i øyeblikket. Hubro. Magasin for Universitetet i Bergen.

More information in national current research information system (CRIStin)

Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (Unified Protocol)

Treatment of mental disorders has long been focused on specific diagnoses. This has contributed to the development of many effective methods but also comes with some challenges. It is demanding for individual practitioners to learn a manual for each disorder, and it is resource-intensive to implement many different methods in healthcare services. Additionally, high comorbidity between conditions can make it difficult to determine which diagnosis-specific approach to choose. Furthermore, research on mental disorders raises more fundamental questions about the validity of the categorical diagnostic understanding in the DSM and ICD systems. This has led to increased interest in transdiagnostic treatment, which targets vulnerability factors that are common to various conditions. 

One such approach is the Unified Protocol (UP), which focuses on difficulties in emotion regulation as an underlying process across different mental disorders. This project consists of multiple components. A feasibility study of UP has been initiated at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Psychology. The project will also enable the investigation of potential changes in interoceptive ability (sensing internal bodily functions like the heart and respiration) and heart rate variability (which is linked to emotion regulation ability) in individuals undergoing UP treatment. Professor Elisabeth Schanche, Associate Professor Jon Vøllestand, and Associate Professor Berge Osnes lead this project. A larger European multisite study (RCT) involving partners from Spain, Portugal, Romania, Germany, Denmark, and Norway is planned. In this part of the project, new digital solutions and technological tools, such as smartphone apps, will be developed and tested.