My research interests revolve around the understanding and treatment of anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders. I have been particularly interested in how acceptance and mindfulness can be beneficial for individuals dealing with anxiety and recurrent depression. I have participated in various clinical studies exploring this area. 

Currently, my primary focus is on transdiagnostic treatment, which targets common vulnerability factors underlying various disorders rather than specific diagnoses.Together with colleagues at the University of Bergen (UiB) and internationally, I am researching the transdiagnostic model "Unified Protocol." We are also working towards implementing this approach in Norwegian mental health care and other settings.  

 

Lecture

• Hjeltnes, Aslak; Vøllestad, Jon (2024). Salong: Psyke og samfunn - Erich Fromm. (external link)
• Fonagy, Peter; Vøllestad, Jon (2016). Mentalization and mindfulness: similarities and differences. Dialogmøte. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2016). Hvordan virker mindfulness?. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2016). Mindfulness og psykisk helse. Hva vet vi – og hvordan kan vi bruke det vi vet?. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2016). Å være med det som er: Kropp, følelser og mindfulness. (external link)
• Solhaug, Ida; Vøllestad, Jon; de Vibe, Michael (2014). Hva vi vet og ikke vet: utfordringer og dilemmaer i forskning på mindfulness. (external link)

Academic lecture

• Vøllestad, Jon (2023). EN behandling for alt? Transdiagnostisk tilnærming til emosjonelle lidelser. . (external link)
• Johansen, Henning; Vøllestad, Jon; Sjøbø, Trond et al. (2018). Combining manualised physical exercise with internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for panic disorder – A feasibility study. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon; Johansen, Henning; Sjøbø, Trond et al. (2015). Participant Experiences of Augmented Treatment Combining Internet Based CBT and Physical Exercise as Treatment for Panic Disorder - Preliminary Findings from Qualitative Interviews. iN Anders Hovland (Chair), Augmenting CBT with physical exercise for anxiety disorders.. (external link)
• Johansen, Henning; Sjøbø, Trond; Vøllestad, Jon et al. (2015). Combining Internet Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Physical Exercise as Treatment for Panic Disorder - Treatment Protocol and Preliminary Results from a Feasibility Study. In: Anders Hovland (Chair), Augmenting CBT with physical exercise for anxiety disorders. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon; Sivertsen, Børge; Nielsen, Geir Høstmark (2010). Mindfulness training for patients with anxiety disorders - results from a randomized controlled trial. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon; Sivertsen, Børge; Nielsen, Geir Høstmark (2010). Mindfulness-basert behandling av angstlidelser. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2008). Oppmerksomt nærvær og psykoterapi. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2008). Oppmerksomt nærvær og psykologisk behandling. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2008). Oppmerksomhetstrening for mestring av angstlidelser. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2008). Oppmerksomt nærvær. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2008). Oppmerksomt nærvær. (external link)

Academic article

• Vøllestad, Jon; Osnes, Berge; Schanche, Elisabeth (2023). Unified Protocol. Transdiagnostisk behandling for emosjonelle lidelser . (external link)
• Sayar, Hanna; Vøllestad, Jon; Nordgreen, Tine (2023). What I missed from my online therapist: A survey-based qualitative investigation of patient experiences of therapist contact in guided internet interventions. (external link)
• Helle, Jorunn Beate; Vøllestad, Jon; Schanche, Elisabeth et al. (2022). From seeing difficult behaviour to recognizing legitimate needs–A qualitative study of mothers' experiences of participating in a Circle of Security Parenting program in a public mental health setting. (external link)
• Svendsen, Julie Lillebostad; Schanche, Elisabeth; Vøllestad, Jon et al. (2022). Self-Compassion and Its Association With Ruminative Tendencies and Vagally Mediated Heart Rate Variability in Recurrent Major Depression. (external link)
• Schanche, Elisabeth; Vøllestad, Jon; Visted, Endre et al. (2021). Self-criticism and self-reassurance in individuals with recurrent depression: Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and relationship to relapse. (external link)
• Schanche, Elisabeth; Vøllestad, Jon; Visted, Endre et al. (2020). The effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on risk and protective factors of depressive relapse – a randomized wait-list controlled trial . (external link)
• Svendsen, Julie Lillebostad; Schanche, Elisabeth; Osnes, Berge et al. (2020). Is Dispositional Self-Compassion Associated With Psychophysiological Flexibility Beyond Mindfulness? An Exploratory Pilot Study. (external link)
• Schanche, Elisabeth; Vøllestad, Jon; Binder, Per Einar et al. (2020). Participant experiences of change in mindfulness-based stress reduction for anxiety disorders. (external link)
• Johansen, Henning; Vøllestad, Jon; Sjøbø, Trond et al. (2020). To make a run for IT – A feasibility study of ICBT combined with physical exercise for patients with panic disorder. (external link)
• Visted, Endre; Sørensen, Lin; Vøllestad, Jon et al. (2019). The association between juvenile onset of depression and emotion regulation difficulties. (external link)
• Schanche, Elisabeth; Vøllestad, Jon; Binder, Per-Einar et al. (2019). Can clinical psychology students benefit from brief and intensive mindfulness training?. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2018). Mindfulness – a review of knowledge status and relevance for psychological treatment. (external link)
• Hjeltnes, Aslak; Molde, Helge; Schanche, Elisabeth et al. (2016). An open trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for young adults with social anxiety disorder. (external link)
• Hovland, Anders; Johansen, Henning; Sjøbø, Trond et al. (2015). A feasibility study on combining internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy with physical exercise as treatment for panic disorder—treatment protocol and preliminary results. (external link)
• Dundas, Ingrid; Vøllestad, Jon; Binder, Per-Einar et al. (2013). The Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire in Norway. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon; Nielsen, Morten Birkeland; Nielsen, Geir Høstmark (2012). Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions for anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon; Sivertsen, Børge; Nielsen, Geir Høstmark (2011). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for patients with anxiety disorders: Evaluation in a randomized controlled trial. (external link)
• Binder, Per-Einar; Vøllestad, Jon (2010). Å være til stede sammen: Oppmerksomt nærvær i psykoterapi. (external link)
• Nielsen, Geir Høstmark; Vøllestad, Jon; Schanche, Elisabeth et al. (2009). Får jeg det til? en kartlegging av studentterapeuters bekymringer. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2007). Oppmerksomt nærvær meditative teknikker som utgangspunkt for psykologisk behandling. (external link)

Programme participation

• Nissen-Lie, Helene, Amundsen ; Vøllestad, Jon; Halvorsen, Joar Øveraas (2023). Virker egentlig psykoterapi?. (external link)
• Flo-Groeneboom, Elisabeth; Vøllestad, Jon; Haugen, Bjørn Sverre Hol (2022). Salong: Den gåtefulle søvnen. (external link)

Popular scientific lecture

• Nissen-Lie, Helene, Amundsen ; Vøllestad, Jon; Halvorsen, Joar Øveraas (2023). Virker egentlig psykoterapi?. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon; Vikingstad, Margunn (2019). Er det sunt å lese romaner? . (external link)

Popular scientific article

• Vøllestad, Jon (2020). En mann for vår tid. Bokessay om boken "Sick souls, healthy minds. How William James can save your life" av John Kaag. (external link)

Interview

• Vøllestad, Jon; Normann, Eivind (2019). Selvets Amerika. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon; Kjørstad, Elise (2018). Oppsummerer hva vi vet om mindfulness. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2008). Tankekraft funker mot stress. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2007). Skal få stressede på andre tanker. (external link)

Academic literature review

• Visted, Endre; Vøllestad, Jon; Nielsen, Morten Birkeland et al. (2018). Emotion regulation in current and remitted depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (external link)
• Visted, Endre; Vøllestad, Jon; Nielsen, Morten Birkeland et al. (2015). The Impact of Group-Based Mindfulness Training on Self-Reported Mindfulness: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. (external link)

Feature article

• Vøllestad, Jon (2018). Evidensbasert visdom : bokessay . (external link)
• Haug, Thomas; Hovland, Anders; Vøllestad, Jon (2010). Stort udekket behandlingsbehov. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2010). Zen og kunsten å holde beina på bakken. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2007). Å være til stede. (external link)

Article in business/trade/industry journal

• Helle, Jorunn Beate; Boonstra, Mari-Janne; Broch, Kirsten et al. (2017). En god sirkel. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2016). Postmodernisme på norsk. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2016). En øvelse i å være med det som er. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2015). Om tungsinn og rosiner. (external link)
• Dundas, Ingrid; Ravnanger, Kari Kristine; Vøllestad, Jon et al. (2013). How may mindfulness help in working with substance use disorders. (external link)
• Dundas, Ingrid; Ravnanger, Kari Kristine; Vøllestad, Jon et al. (2013). Can mindfulness be of help in coping with substance abuse. (external link)

Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

• Vøllestad, Jon (2015). Mindfulness- and Acceptance-based Interventions in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2013). «Mindfulness»-baserte intervensjoner i behandling av angstlidelser. (external link)

Non-fiction book

• Binder, Per-Einar; Gjelsvik, Bergljot; Halland, Even et al. (2014). Mindfulness i psykologisk behandling. (external link)

Thesis at a second degree level

• Visted, Endre; Nielsen, Geir Høstmark; Vøllestad, Jon (2011). The impact of mindfulness training on self-reported mindfulness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. (external link)
• Hammervold, Janne; Johansen, Ella Mannes; Utkilen, Lene et al. (2010). En empirisk studie av sammenhenger mellom oppmerksomt nærvær og personlighetstrekk i et norsk studentutvalg. (external link)
• Thorrud, Torgeir Farsund; Vøllestad, Jon; Nielsen, Geir Høstmark (2009). A Qualitative Study of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Anxiety Disorders - Developing a Friendly Relationship to Experience. (external link)
• Krogrud, Gjermund; Vøllestad, Jon; Nielsen, Geir Høstmark (2009). Sinnet som relasjonelt knutepunkt: En teoretisk undersøkelse av intersubjektiv psykoanalyse og buddhistisk psykologi. (external link)

Doctoral dissertation

• Vøllestad, Jon (2011). Mindfulness-based treatment for anxiety disorders: A quantitative review of the evidence, results from a randomized controlled trial, and qualitative exploration of patient experiences. (external link)

Interview Journal

• Dundas, Ingrid; Vøllestad, Jon; Binder, Per-Einar (2008). Når en verker etter lindring oppmerksomt nærvær som forebygging. (external link)
• Vøllestad, Jon (2007). Tilstede i øyeblikket. (external link)

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.

Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (Unified Protocol)

Treatment of mental disorders has long been focused on specific diagnoses. This has contributed to the development of many effective methods but also comes with some challenges. It is demanding for individual practitioners to learn a manual for each disorder, and it is resource-intensive to implement many different methods in healthcare services. Additionally, high comorbidity between conditions can make it difficult to determine which diagnosis-specific approach to choose. Furthermore, research on mental disorders raises more fundamental questions about the validity of the categorical diagnostic understanding in the DSM and ICD systems. This has led to increased interest in transdiagnostic treatment, which targets vulnerability factors that are common to various conditions. 

One such approach is the Unified Protocol (UP), which focuses on difficulties in emotion regulation as an underlying process across different mental disorders. This project consists of multiple components. A feasibility study of UP has been initiated at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Psychology. The project will also enable the investigation of potential changes in interoceptive ability (sensing internal bodily functions like the heart and respiration) and heart rate variability (which is linked to emotion regulation ability) in individuals undergoing UP treatment. Professor Elisabeth Schanche, Associate Professor Jon Vøllestand, and Associate Professor Berge Osnes lead this project. A larger European multisite study (RCT) involving partners from Spain, Portugal, Romania, Germany, Denmark, and Norway is planned. In this part of the project, new digital solutions and technological tools, such as smartphone apps, will be developed and tested.