Emotion Regulation Therapy for Worry, Rumination, and Self-Criticism

This study is testing Emotion Regulation Therapy delivered online (via telehealth) for people experiencing high levels of worry, rumination (repeatedly thinking about something negative), self-criticism, anxiety, or depression. The therapy aims to help you understand and manage your emotions. Researchers want to see how this therapy changes your ability to control your attention, your perspective on your thoughts (decentering), and how you rethink situations (reappraisal). You might be able to join if you are between 18 and 65, live in New York State, speak English, and have internet access. The study is currently unclear about its recruitment status and plans to enroll 36 participants.

Study design
This is an open-label study, meaning both you and the researchers will know what treatment you are receiving. It plans to enroll 36 participants.
What's involved
You will complete an online pre-screening, a clinical interview via Zoom, and attend between 12-22 weekly telehealth therapy sessions. You will also complete weekly assessments for up to 28 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
You will be followed for 4 weeks after treatment ends.

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NCT07478393

Readiness and Progress in Emotion Regulation Therapy

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Teachers College, Columbia University
~36 participants
Updated 2026-03-17 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Emotion Regulation Therapy via Telehealth

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Weekly Assessment of Change in Attentional Control
Measured over Weekly from Baseline (2 weeks) through Treatment (12-22 weeks) and Follow-Up (4 weeks)
+7 more outcomes measured
Rumination
Worry
Self-Criticism
Anxiety
Depression
Distress, Emotional
1 sites across 1 states
New York1
  • Douglas S Mennin · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Professor of Clinical Psychology

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Between the ages of 18 and 65
Fluent in English (and therefore able to provide consent)
Currently living in New York State
Access to at least one device with internet and video-conferencing capabilities
High self-reported worry, rumination, and/or self-criticism
Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for at least one, current psychological disorder

Exclusion

Active suicidal ideation or intent
Substance dependence disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar-I disorder, or a primary DSM-5 diagnosis of borderline or narcissistic personality disorder
Currently in therapy or receiving any type of psychosocial treatment
Individuals taking psychotropic mediation that has not been stabilized for a period of at least 3 months
Current students at Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Weekly Assessment of Change in Attentional ControlWeekly from Baseline (2 weeks) through Treatment (12-22 weeks) and Follow-Up (4 weeks)

    The Attentional Control Scale (ACS) is a 21-item measure used to measure difficulties with concentration associated with problems regulating emotions. The focusing and shifting subscales of the ACS align with the two attention emotion regulation (ER) skills taught in ERT.

  • Weekly Assessment of Change in DecenteringWeekly from Baseline (2 weeks) through Treatment (12-22 weeks) and Follow-Up (4 weeks)

    The decentering subscale of the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ-D) is an 11-item subscale assessing one's ability to distance themselves from their emotional experience, which is one metacognitive ER skill taught during ERT. Higher scores on this subscale indicate better ability to distancing oneself from one's emotional experience.

  • Weekly Assessment of Change in ReappraisalWeekly from Baseline (2 weeks) through Treatment (12-22 weeks) and Follow-Up (4 weeks)

    The reappraisal subscale of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) is a 6-item measure of the ability to regulate emotions, using the strategy of reappraisal. Higher scores on this subscale indicate a better ability to regulate emotions using the strategy of reappraisal.

  • Weekly Assessment of Change in Valued Living/ActionBaseline, 1st Treatment Session, Follow-Up (4 weeks)

    The Valuing Questionnaire (VQ) is a 10-item measure of the degree to which patients live by their values in daily life. It uses a 7-point Likert scale (0-6) to assess progress and obstructions to valued living. Higher scores on this measure indicate more valued living.

  • Weekly Assessment of Change in Clarity of Approach-Avoidance MotivationBaseline, 1st Treatment Session, Follow-Up (4 weeks)

    The Mental Representation of Approach Avoidance Questionnaire (MRAAQ) is a 42-item self-report assessment designed to capture the mental representation of approach-avoidance motivation.

  • Weekly Assessment of Change in RuminationWeekly from Baseline (2 weeks) through Treatment (12-22 weeks) and Follow-Up (4 weeks)

    The Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ) is a 12-item measure that assesses past-focused rumination with specificity regarding the types of rumination that people may experience. Higher scores on this measure indicate greater rumination.

  • Weekly Assessment of Change in WorryWeekly from Baseline (2 weeks) through Treatment (12-22 weeks) and Follow-Up (4 weeks)

    The Penn State Worry Questionnaire - Past Week (PSWQ-PW) is an adapted version of the original PSWQ, contains 15 items (rated on a 0-6 scale), and assesses the extent to which worry has been excessive, uncontrollable, and pervasive in the past week. Higher scores on this measure indicate greater worry in the past week.

  • Weekly Assessment of Change in Self-CriticismWeekly from Baseline (2 weeks) through Treatment (12-22 weeks) and Follow-Up (4 weeks)

    The self-judgment subscale of the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) contains 5-items and assesses the tendency to self-criticize. Higher scores on this measure indicate greater self-criticism.