Multimodal therapy (MMT) is an approach to psychotherapy devised by psychologist Arnold

Lazarus. It is based on the idea that humans are biological beings that think, feel, act, sense,
imagine, and interactand that psychological treatment should address each of
these modalities. Multimodal assessment and treatment follows BASIC I.D.: (i.e., seven interactive
and reciprocally influential dimensions of personality/psychology or modalities) These are:

Behavior

Affect

Sensation

Imagery

Cognition

Interpersonal relationships

Drugs/biology

Multimodal therapy is based on the idea that the therapist must address multiple modalities of an
individual to identify and treat a psychological disorder. According to MMT, each individual is
affected in different ways and in different amounts by each dimension of their personality, and
should be treated accordingly for treatment to be successful. It sees individuals as products of
interplay among genetic endowment, physical environment, and social learning history. To state that
learning plays a central role in the development and resolution of our emotional problems is to
communicate little. For events to connect, they must occur simultaneously or in close succession. An
association may exist when responses one stimulus provokes are predictably and reliably similar to
those another provokes. In this regard, classical and operant conditionings are two central concepts.
MMTs roots are in cognitive behavioral therapy, with the additional consideration of the seven
dimensions of personality known as BASIC ID. Arnold Lazarus is considered a pioneering figure in
modern psychotherapy.[citation needed] Lazarus originated the termbehavior therapy in the professional
literature. Lazarus was also an award winning, internationally acclaimed professor of psychology,
therapist, author, lecturer, and clinical innovator.[citation needed]

BASIC ID

A very vital component to Lazarus MMT, BASIC ID refers to the seven dimensions of personality.
Creating a successful treatment for a specific individual requires that the therapist consider each
dimension, and the individuals deficits in each. B represents behavior, which can be manifested
through the use of inappropriate acts, habits, gestures, or the lack of appropriate
behaviors. A stands for affect, which can be seen as the level of negative feelings or emotions one
experiences.S is sensation, or the negative bodily sensations or physiological symptoms such as
pain, tension, sweat, nausea, quick heartbeat, etc. I stands for imagery, which is the existence of
negative cognitive images or mental pictures. C represents cognition or the degree of negative

thoughts, attitudes, or beliefs. The secondI stands for interpersonal relationships, and refers to
ones ability to form successful relationships with others. It is based on social skills and support
systems. Finally, D is for drugs and biological functions, and examines the individuals physical
health, drug use, and other lifestyle choices.[1] MMT addresses the fact that different people depend
on or are more influenced by some personality dimensions more than others.[1] Some people are
prone to deal with their problems on their own, cognitively, while others are more likely to draw
support from others, and others yet are likely to use physical aspects to deal with problems, such as
exercise or drugs. All reactions are a combination of how the 7 dimensions work together in an
individual. Once the source of the problem is found, treatment can be used to focus on that specific
dimension more than the others.

CBT

Multimodal therapy originated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a fusion of cognitive
therapy and behavioral therapy. While purely cognitive therapy focused on mental aspects and
internal processes, behavioral therapy contributed the consideration of external behaviors, making it
possible to utilize both internal and external factors of treatment simultaneously.[2] Further description
of CBT: CBT merges the disciplines of cognitive therapy with behavioral therapy; while behavioral
therapy focuses on external behaviors on their own, cognitive therapy contributes the cognitive, or
mental aspects, focusing on internal thought processes. Put together, cognitive behavioral therapists
can utilize both internal and external factors of treatment simultaneously.[2] Lazarus added the idea
that, since personality is multi-dimensional, treatment must also be considered in this way to be
effective. His idea of MMT involves examining symptoms on each dimension of personality in order
to find the right combination of therapy to address them all.