What the Unified Protocol is:

The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) is an empirically-supported treatment designed to help patients who find their emotions are getting in the way of their day-to-day life, especially patients who experience more than one emotion-related problem (e.g., depression and anxiety). The goal of the UP is to help people understand and manage their emotions in ways that are consistent with their long-term goals. This treatment is a very active, present-focused therapy in which individuals are taught skills for managing strong emotions. These skills include: breaking down emotional experiences to understand them better, mindfulness, thinking flexibly about emotion-provoking situations, learning to experience and tolerate uncomfortable physical sensations, and engaging in new and effective behaviors when experiencing strong emotions.