Summary of Interpersonal Therapy

Summary of Interpersonal Therapy

                                              INTERPERSONAL THERAPY

INTRODUCTION

              As the song goes “No man is an island." The desire to be with others gives rise to the belief that sociability is part of human condition. The main ingredients to attain this through the concept of “love” which gives depth to human relationships. The primary concern of this therapy is the kind of relationship that humans build in the society.

VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE

               Interpersonal therapist believed that all human beings are social creatures. The kind of relationship that humans build in the society is what we called “interpersonal relationship”. It is a relationship that is normally viewed as a connection between two individuals.

               According to interpersonal therapists, the capacity for “Love” gives depth to human relationships which brings people closer to each other physically and emotionally, and makes people think expansively about themselves and the world. It has eight attributes: Patient, Kind, Humble, Respectful, Selfless, Forgiving, Honest and Committed.

              Interpersonal love is usually found in an interpersonal relationship such as family members, friends and couples. It is the love between human beings and there are some elements that are often present in interpersonal love: Affection, Attachment, Responsibility, Passion, Service and Commitment.

               Therapist also believed they if an individual has a healthy interpersonal relationship with his/her society it may result to a feeling of "happiness".

DEVELOPMENT OF MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR

                Interpersonal therapist believed that since people are sociable in nature, they need approval and affection from other people. They need to feel belong and well-accepted by the society. So, if the person feel isolated and separated from other people, the tendency is they will develop a maladaptive behavior. The child will develop lower self-esteem and depression and also  a sense of helplessness and uselessness.

FUNCTION OF THE THERAPIST

                 The function of the therapist is to help the clients create a positive relationships towards others. They will help the clients on how they can express gratitude and share appreciation for others which is the primary means for creating a positive relationship.

                 The Therapists also help the clients in developing their concept of love which is said to be the one that gives depth to human relationships. Clients are also guided to be aware on their acts and behaviors towards the people they loved. Therapist helps them to be responsible on how they can establish a long-term relationship towards others. And help the clients realize that to love and be loved by the people in their surroundings is the true essence of happiness.

GOALS OF THE THERAPY

                  This therapy is primarily concern with the kind of relationship human created in the society; therefore the goals of the therapy will include the development of social and interpersonal skills of the clients. It aims to increase positive emotions, self-esteem, trust, liking, stability and closeness of the individual towards others. It is aimed to make the clients realize the importance of sociability, interdependency of humans from one another. In order for them to be happy. They need to move towards people than moving against them.

METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

                   There are six(6) major methods and techniques of interpersonal therapy: (1) minding relationships [mindfulness theory of relationships that shows how closeness in relationships may be enhanced. Which is a reciprocal knowing process involving the non-stop interrelated thoughts, feelings and behaviors of persons in a relationship]; (2) Culture of trust [the clients are guided to have a sense of trust toward other people]; (3) Culture of Appreciation [Acceptance]; (4) Capitalizing positive events [act of telling others about good events which therapist believed that through association with this increase positive effect and well-being]; (5) Tell me who I am? [clients are set in group to different people where they are allowed to describe each person by writing it on their backs, and at the end of the session clients will come to realize those positive and negative attitudes that they have and can have the chance to pursue those positive and change those that are negative ones] and; (6) Balancing the wheel of life (key to happiness) [where the clients oriented on how they can balance their interpersonal relationship through a wheel diagram where it is divided into 4(family, friends, community and sweethearts/partners and love placed on the center and the outermost part is God.) Therapist believed that through balancing this wheel of life they will attain the true essence of happiness].

APPLICATION

                     In the case of Rolie, the therapist used the "Tell me who I am" method where Rolie, a 12 yr. old child who experienced stigma among his playmates and peers. He usually plays alone and tend to become shy. During class discussion, he doesn't want to participate in group activities and his teacher is always acting like this that's she prefer to use interpersonal therapy to Rolie. At the end of the session, Rolie come to realize about his bad and good attitudes. He is now become responsible of his attitudes and behaviors towards others by changing those bad ones and pursuing those positive ones.

Interpersonal therapy is influenced by the ff: personalities

Sociologist:

             -Karl marx

             -Albert Bandura

Psychologist:

             -Erich Fromm

             -Karen Horney

             -Alfred Adler

             -Vadim kotelnikov

Prepared by:

Mary Rose H. Genove (Irreg)

Arlyn M. Damian (Irreg)

Jeremie Flores

Elizabeth Escanilla

April Rose Cagampang

Sarah Jane M. Alilano (Irreg)

BEED 3B