Effects of Oxytocin on Behavior and Physiology in a Psychotherapy Setting

Physiologic Correlates of Perceived [Therapist] Empathy and Social-Emotional Process During Psychotherapy: Testing Oxytocin in a Cross-Over Design Pilot Study

Subjects-currently in outpatient mental health care--will participate in 2 psychotherapy sessions, one with oxytocin spray and one with placebo spray. Sessions will be videotaped, and cortisol and heart rate will be measured. We hypothesize that oxytocin will have positive benefits on nonverbal behavior in the therapy session, as well as have positive effects on subjective anxiety, cortisol and heart rate.

Inclusion Criteria:

• in current mental health treatment
• male 18-65

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of schizophrenia or psychosis
• diagnosis of autism or Aspergers disorder
• active substance use disorder
• at moderate or high risk of self-harm