Treatment programs
disorders treated
Interpersonal Problems
Quick facts
We all have experienced Interpersonal problems at some stage in our life. These difficulties usually involve some conflict, which causes discomfort or worst still outright distress and hurt. Interpersonal problems can emerge in their own right as different people clash, or it may be a symptom of other underlying problems such as anxiety or depression.
Whatever the cause, as social beings, strained relationships can be difficult to manage. It can affect our self-esteem and confidence, it can make managing life change difficult and contribute to already poor communication skills.
Within a larger context such as that of a family, the "breakdown" of one relationship can have significant effects on the remaining relationships. Furthermore, unhelpful patterns can easily develop within this context, such that further disharmony and difficulty breeds.
For many years, therapists have tackled such issues. From the family therapy and systems schools have developed some of the therapy approaches now best used to deal with interpersonal problems.
options for Treatment
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) provides a focal point on issues of social functioning, communication skill development. This model also provides people with the opportunity to look at family and relationship systemic issues and at a developmental process model of change as well.
The family and systemic based treatment approaches have a wide range of application for those whose early learning environment included dysfunctional communication patterns that have not yet been entirely discarded and continue to significantly interfere with effective adult communication. These issues can often be framed up in phrases such as: impulse control, anger management, identification of emotional needs, expressive communication skills, managing difficult emotions, conflict resolution and negotiation skills. The common thread is improvement of relationship and social functioning.
INTERPERSONAL THERAPY Program
The interpersonal therapy programme is designed to help people who are having severe difficulties in their relationships with their family, work, and community. Interpersonal problems may arise as a result of a mood disorder, difficulties adjusting to change or loss, difficulties with communication and poor interpersonal skills. This model aims to help patients identify interpersonal strengths, as well as to target and treat aspects of symptoms that are problematic and interfere with successful relationships.
The purpose of interpersonal therapy stream is to educate patient's about their illness and its impact on relationships, elicit and clarify the patients own relationship difficulties, help patients develop and practice new communication skills, and improve patient's abilities to deal with interpersonal relationships.
The programme is based on attendance from 9.15 am to 3.00 pm daily. This offers three group sessions daily of 1.5 hours each (4.5 hours contact time daily).