Interpersonal Approaches to Psychotherapy Chapter 10

The Case of Linda 28-year-old divorced Hispanic female Complains of: Feeling “unhappy” Confusion related to sexual orientation Unresolved grief related to death of her mother Turbulent interpersonal relationships

Basic Philosophy Neutral view of humans Constructivist

Basic Philosophy Focused on human interactions The “self” is social, interpersonal, & transactional Social behaviors are a function of predisposition and environment Circular causality Communication includes verbal & nonverbal content

Human Motivation Survival by adapting to the environment Confirmation of a solid view of “self”

Central Constructs Levels of Communication Content Level Relationship Level Metacommunication Verbal Nonverbal Relationship Definition

Central Constructs Dimensions of Interaction Interactive Theorists Control Circular Theorists Control Affiliation

Central Constructs Complementarity Interactive Theorists Complementary Symmetrical Metacomplementary Circular Theorists Complementary Anticomplementary Acomplementary

Central Constructs Impact Messages Direct feelings Action tendencies Perceived evoking messages Fantasies

Central Constructs Laws of Interaction Past interactions are replicated in present and future interactions Attempts to change a relationship will stimulate efforts to reestablish it Control of others is gained through yielding control to others

Theory of the Person Majority of theorists do not discuss developmental issues People carry relationship templates Created from our past interactions Influence how we define relationships with others

Theory of the Person Psychological Health Able to display a range of interpersonal behavior Content & relationship messages are congruent Able to display dominant, submissive, friendly, and hostile behaviors when appropriate

Theory of the Person Psychological Dysfunction Narrow range of interpersonal behavior Intense effects on others Confirms ideas of others Lots of misperception Messages are incongruent Behaviors are not reciprocal

Nature of Therapy Assessment Interactional Counselor observes client-counselor interaction Counselor is interested in ways that the client relates to others in his or her life outside of counseling

Nature of Therapy Assessment Circular Counselor’s perception of client’s overt behavior covert reaction to client’s behavior Client’s perception of counselor’s overt behavior covert reaction to counselor’s behavior

Nature of Therapy Interactional Brief Directive Therapist “takes control” of the relationship & dysfunctional behavior Client “gives up” dysfunctional behavior because it becomes useless Circular Therapist is the expert who will diagnose and treat the client Therapist “buys” the client’s version of the problem Client defines relationship

Nature of Therapy Goals of Therapy Client learn new behaviors Client responds in a less extreme way to other people’s behaviors in interpersonal interactions Client stops doing “more of the same”

Process of Therapy Interactive Approach Therapist is always one-up and client is one-down Focus is on the control dimension of the interaction No stage theory

Process of Therapy Circular Approach Stage Theory Provide the complementary response Decrease the complementary response Client rejoins therapist in a healthier complementary relationship

Therapeutic Techniques Asocial Responses Delay response Reflection of content and feeling Paradigmatic responding Noncomplementary responding Metacommunication Ordeal Therapy Straightforward task Paradoxical ordeals Make the therapist the ordeal Ordeals that involve 2 or more persons

Evaluation Qualities Precision Testability Empirical validity Research Support Outcome research Theory-testing research

Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversity Pros Emphasis on the interconnectedness of human life Cons Focused on individual’s inter- personal behavior Individualistic “Therapist knows what’s best”