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Abstract: Objective: Mindfulness-based cognitive interventions are increasingly making their way into the field of healthcare on account of proven effects in a wide range of mental disorders. Despite the psychological aspect emphazised in the etiology of sexual disorders, they paradoxically have been less investigated in terms of sexual problem management. The objective of this paper will be to highlight through the review of studies relating to the integration of mindfulness in sexotherapeutic programs the applicability potential of these approaches and, more particularly, to examine the specific relevance of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Method: To show the interest of mindfulness for sexual problems, which is the major component of the MBCT intervention, we have first reviewed the underlying psychological causes of sexual dysfunctions through the DSM-4TR criteria and the main international search engines Interscience Wiley, PsycARTICLES, PubMed, Science Direct and Springerlink. Moreover, this bibliographic review has enabled us to select the studies relating to the use of mindfulness in the field of sexology. Results: This research has enabled to show four main types of etiological factors of psychological type, namely cognitive, emotional, behavioural and environmental factors. The scientific literature points out more specifically the key role of cognitive parameters in sexuality, especially through the influence of negative automatic thoughts and distractions, and of relational parameters such as a bad communication in the couple. Furthermore, it reveals a paucity of empirical studies and two main orientations targeted respectively on the relevance of mindfulness to sexual or relational problems, as well as, to our knowledge, no study about MBCT in that research field. Discussion: Considering the action process of the multimodal MBCT program detailed in this paper, the highlighting of the obvious link between cognitive factors and sexual dysfunctions and the promising results of the studies integrating mindfulness in sexotherapeutic treatment, this new kind of approach seems to be of great interest for the management of sexual dysfunctions and, more specifically, through the relapse prevention which is a fundamental aspect of any sexual therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reviews the cognitive-behavioural strategies of psychotherapy applied to hypochondria. Cognitive mechanisms of hypochondria are the tendency to amplify body manifestations (pain, fatigue…) and to interpret them in a catastrophic manner. The persistence of anxiety is due to a confirmatory bias, which increases the importance given to information congruent with anxiety. The exposure–response prevention model is an important technique in the treatment of hypochondria. This model has been validated in patients presenting obsessive compulsive disorders. Patients are invited to confront ideas or thoughts that induce fear. This confrontation is repeated or prolonged in order to induce the extinction of anxiety. Another cognitive approach is the step-by-step cognitive “modelling”. During the first step the patient assesses his stress-inducing thoughts concerning his health, he also has to assess the frequency of inadequate medical treatments. During the next step, the therapist helps the patient correct automatic thoughts and false beliefs concerning his illness. The last step is a phase of consolidation. The therapist identifies factors triggering anxiety and excessive medical care. All these behavioural cognitive therapies can be performed in individual or in-group processes. Therapies proposed to patients presenting generalized anxiety disorders can be adapted to hypochondriacs. Lastly, hypochondria can be understood and treated as a form of addiction to medicine characterised by a craving for medical care, for biological exams and for different forms of medication. According to this conception, the treatment can be conducted as a form of detoxification: patients identify the frequency of their pathological behaviour and find strategies to reduce and/or control them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]