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Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics A review of balancing psychotherapy

diagnose and treat psychosomatic disorders, which are process involves self-reflection, self-monitoring, and self-
understood as manifestations of psychological imbalance. regulation to achieve alignment between the ideal and the
3,4
BPT aims to help patients identify the underlying causes of actual self. In summary, when “degree” is well managed
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their conditions through the lens of psychosomatic balance and “relationship” is well coordinated, a state of balance is
theory, correct maladaptive cognitive patterns, and restore achieved. From the perspective of “degree,” moderation is
14
internal equilibrium. 5 balance; from the perspective of “relationship,” harmonious
3
There are two basic functions of balance: Mastery of coexistence is balance. From macro to micro levels,
degree and coordination of relationship. First, degree refers balance can be divided into four categories: Individual-
to the limit. Human behavior, governed by objective laws, family-society, body-mind-spirit, knowledge-emotion-
requires appropriate restraint – recognizing limits in daily intention, and neurochemical (monoamine transmitter)
life can prevent many problems. The Chinese idiom “too levels. These four levels are interconnected and collectively
much is not enough” exemplifies this balance principle. influence psychological balance. 4
6
7
Zhang et al. used the balance principle in BPT to treat a BPT includes individual, group, and family therapy
case of adolescent depression. The psychologist instructed modalities. Both individual and group BPT (GBPT) have
4
the patient to find a balance between rest and study, so as been applied in clinical settings and have demonstrated
to maintain a state of moderation. effectiveness. Indications for BPT include psychosomatic
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Second, relationship refers to the state of mutual disorders, somatic symptom disorder, depressive
influence among individuals and between individuals disorder, anxiety disorders, and insomnia. BPT has
and their environment. Human existence is not isolated, shown significant efficacy in treating depressive disorder,
8
and the coordination of relations is an important content panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and
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of human behavior. Coordination is the effort to make all obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition,
aspects of the relationship fit together properly. Moreover, innovative integrations such as BPT combined with virtual
9
the most fundamental coordination is the coordination reality (VR) technology offer promising new directions for
of interpersonal relationships. In particular, Chinese psychotherapy.
traditional culture attaches great importance to the Since its establishment and application in clinical
establishment and maintenance of human relationships practice, BPT has developed into a relatively complete
and group consciousness. 10,11 These relationships are theoretical framework. With increasing clinical case
characterized by interdependence and mutual influence. studies, its structure and utility have been progressively
In a study by Zhang, BPT facilitated a shift in patient validated. However, current documentation lacks
12
perception from internalized blame (“my own fault”) to systematic summaries of these cases. Therefore, this
an understanding of interpersonal dynamics as part of a study aims to evaluate the efficacy of BPT in treating
broader interactive system. 13-15
various psychological disorders by analyzing clinical
BPT employs core strategies such as psychological case outcomes. The findings are expected to support the
education, cognitive remodeling, and role-playing. It clinical application of BPT, inform treatment for other
focuses on attribution styles and coping mechanisms, psychological disorders, and contribute to the theoretical
adopting both positive and negative cognitive approaches development and practical enrichment of BPT.
to achieve a balance between self and society. Through
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mastery of the degree and coordination of relationships, 2. Methods
patients learn to reframe negative experiences, activate 2.1. Search strategy
positive behaviors, and break cycles of maladaptive
thinking. BPT emphasizes that the therapist should help A preliminary search indicated that BPT was not indexed
the client look at the problem from a comprehensive, in the international database. Therefore, a systematic
dialectical perspective. Clients are encouraged to avoid search was performed in the following Chinese databases:
habitual and extreme thinking, act appropriately, develop Zhi Wang, Wan Fang, Du Xiu, and Chao Xing. The search
resilience, and cultivate will through reasonable coping employed combinations of the following search terms:
methods. Patients are also taught to expand their cognitive “balancing psychotherapy,” “BPT,” “group balancing
perspectives across time and space to understand their psychotherapy,” “GBPT,” “virtual reality-based balancing
current circumstances and achieve an optimal state of psychotherapy,” and “VR-BPT.” No restrictions were placed
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moderation. Drawing from the doctrine of the mean, on the publication year. The final search was conducted
BPT encourages individuals to act and respond moderately, on December 15, 2024. The search was limited to studies
promoting a balanced and harmonious life. This published in Chinese.
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Volume 3 Issue 4 (2025) 13 doi: 10.36922/jcbp.8288