Interpersonal psychotherapy, a theoretical approach that strives to lessen clients’ symptoms and ameliorate interpersonal relationships, aligns well with my counseling style because I believe in an active, directive, and collaborative approach that seeks to assist clients with establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships. With regard to the therapeutic nature of interpersonal psychotherapy, I really am intrigued by the therapy’s focus on being directive, yet prescriptive, with allowing clients to arrive at his or her own decisions yet also making the initiative to ask questions when warranted. In addition, the idea of attentively paying close attention for difficulties in interpersonal relationships that may have promoted the onset of depressive symptoms and an inability to effectively communicate is captivating because I believe that one of the most essential skills of an effective counselor is to be an attentive listener who is able to unveil aspects of a client’s life that are causing significant distress or impairment. With that said, interpersonal psychotherapy’s focus on problem areas, depressive symptoms, and being in the here-and-now moment is really appealing to me because I firmly believe that addressing interpersonal issues in the present moment that are causing distress will give clients the opportunity to address these concerns and to learn ways to achieve a sense of belonging and mastery over his or her own life.
According to interpersonal psychotherapy, the philosophical beliefs underlying the theory include the belief that depression emerges within an interpersonal and social context (Wedding & Corsini, 2014). Thus, a disagreement with an attachment figure, a drastic change in one’s life, and various...
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...t on how the interaction with another individual went. During the termination phase, it will be important to conduct another evaluation to assess whether or not Miranda’s depressive symptoms and to explore any difficult feelings such as sadness and anxiety that may have arose due to the impending termination of therapy. By generating options for interpersonal communication, increasing Miranda’s sense of mastery, and reducing her social isolation, this will contribute to the change process and improve Miranda’s functioning. I think that interpersonal psychotherapy is an appropriate form of therapy to use with Miranda because it gives the therapist the opportunity to be in the immediate here-and-now moment with the client and strive to promote immediate symptom relief of a Miranda’s depressive symptoms with the overall goal to enhance her interpersonal relationships.
Interpersonal psychotherapy has its roots in the work of Harry Stack Sullivan, who was the first scholar to draw attention to the effect connections between humans may have on mental illness. Sullivan’s ideas were developed in reaction to his disagreements over Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic view that humans put up boundaries between each other instead of forming strong bonds (Evans, 1996). Unsatisfied with the current therapies, Sullivan developed descriptive psychiatry in the 1930’s that acknowledged the importance of social factors on an individual. Descriptive psychiatry did not have a specific structure, and was therefore more of an ideology to have towards treatment. Also, IPT is ...
Stickley, T. & Freshwater, D. (2006). “The Art of Listening to the Therapeutic Relationship” Journal of Mental health Practice. 9 (5) pp12 - 18.
The findings of the research supported the main hypothesis, which stated that burnout was connected with interpersonal challenges. As established in the study, burnout among the therapists engaged in the sample increased in consistency with an increase in the levels of interpersonal problems. The study findings indicated that the relationship between burnout and interpersonal challenges agreed with the perception of the process of psychotherapy as an interpersonal practice (Hersoug et al., 2001). That finding implied that personal events in therapists’ lives played a significant role in the way they performed their therapeutic duties.
Bylund, C., Peterson, E., & Cameron, K. (2011). A practitioner’s guide to interpersonal communication theory: An overview and exploration of selected theories. Patient Education and Counselling. Volume 87. Issue 3. Pages 261- 267. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2011.10.006.
The therapeutic process is an opportunity for both healing and restoration, as well as discovering new ways of being. Although exposed to a variety of psychological theories, I narrowed my theoretical orientation to a relational psychodynamic approach, drawing on attachment theory and Intersubjective Systems Theory (IST). IST describes how the subjective experiences, both embodied and affective, of an individual becomes the manner of organization, or way of being, in which the person operates in the world relationally. It is through this process of transference and countertransference, the unconscious ways of being can become explicit and through the collaborative effort of therapist and client, new ways of organizing the relational world can be discovered. I pay particular attention to enactments, which expose intra-psychic dynamics between the therapist and client, as opportunities for relational remodeling.
Current research implies that an empathetic clinician-client relationship and interrelated ecosystems play the majority role in the success of therapy (Kilpatrick & Holland, 2009). The clinician’s ability to be present and actively perceive what the client is experiencing is of utmost importance in creating a therapeutic alliance. It is imperative that the clinician gains positive regard towards the client and their environment displaying honest acceptance towards the client no matter what issues are presented in session. This closely relates to a sincere presentation of genuineness that instills a feeling of honesty within the client and clinician (Kilpatrick & Holland, 2009). An experienced clinician builds upon the therapeutic
What will be the goals of counseling and what intervention strategies are used to accomplish those goals?
Of the psychotherapy theories, we have studied this quarter; I am inclined to like Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), it is one of the most efficient forms of psychotherapy for depression. It is also an adaptation for a broad range of disorders in various populations. It 's qualification for use in divergent treatment approach and it service is ubiquitous is cultural disparate. In IPT, the therapist focuses on the recovery from the current depressive episode by clarifying the relationship between onset of the client 's current depressive symptoms and interpersonal problems in fostering a relationship through communication and interacting allowing the client to be at ease. Treatment is time limited that encourages the client to regain normalcy of
Depression is an illness within itself that affects the “whole body”. (Staywell,1998) The body, feelings, thoughts, and behavior are all immensely altered when someone is depressed. It is not a sign of personal weakness, or a condition that can be wished or willed away. For some people depression is just temporary, but for others it can last for weeks, months and even years.
In today's society, individual counseling is becoming more main-stream with increased usage within the school system, family unit and even the military. The role that a counselor can have on any individual varies according to the chosen theory to practice and the approach taken. However, it must be stated that the approach and success of therapy is dependent on the relationship established by the therapist (clinician) with the client. In 2010 Seligman proposed the BETA treatment system, which stands for background, emotions, thoughts, and actions. According to Seligman, all theories are either focused on a person’s background, emotions, thoughts or their actions. For this reason, we will discuss three prominent forms of individual counseling therapy used today. The three types of therapy are Adlerian Theory, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. The following paper will seek to introduce the key concepts, therapeutic approach, and application of various techniques, or procedures for each of these practices.
Counseling skills has provided me with a valuable insight into the helping relationship and how it is both created and maintained in order to encourage growth and development in the client. The factors involved within the helping relationship include considering Roger’s core conditions, congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy as the three main characteristics necessary in a helping relationship. In order to fully incorporate all three of Roger’s core conditions, I as the counselor must be self-aware, as a lack of self-awareness may inhibit truly listening and understanding the client; self-awareness can be enhanced through exercises such as Johari’s window. Counseling skills such as body language and active listening also plays a role within encouraging the client to open up and can help me as the counselor convey empathy.
Stickley,T. & Freshwater, D. (2006). “The Art of Listening to the Therapeutic Relationship” Journal of Mental health Practice. 9 (5) pp12 - 18.
Considering the research question: “How do the benefits and limitations of antidepressants and psychotherapy in reducing symptoms of major depression give a better understanding of human nature regarding the different psychological perspectives?” this essay will argue that while treating major depression biologically with antidepressants can be successful, there is more credit due to psychotherapy as treatment because people are social beings with conscious, cognitive th...
I decided early on that I would allow myself to experience these feelings fully, because in order to be a good therapist, I need to be able to understand how the client might be feeling. I am still just beginning this journey, but I have every intention of becoming more open to embracing the new awareness that I have found in this class. This paper describing my philosophy will incorporate all three of these systems of psychotherapy in what I believe to be a clear and cohesive manner.
Three interrelated attitude of the therapist are central to the success of person-centered therapy, this include: congruence; unconditional positive regard; and empathy (Corey, 2010). Congruence represents the openness and geniuses of the therapists. Therapists who function this way does not hind behind a professional façade, and are willing to share significant emotional reactions with their clients. Unconditional positive regards refers to the therapist accepting the client totally as she or he is without disapproving particular behaviors, believes, feelings or characteristics. Therapists convey this message by their wiliness to listen without being judging, or directive. The therapist who creates a nonthreatening context allows the clients to explore and share their true feelings without fear of being judged. Empathy is the third necessary component of a therapist’s attitude. The therapist should try to see through client’s point to view, and show understanding and sensitivity to client’s feeling throughout the therapy session. When these three attitudes are conveyed by a therapist, according the Rogers, the client can freely express themselves without afraid of being