Hitting the wall: A case study of interpersonal changes in psychotherapy

Abstract

Design: Changes in interpersonal functioning are described in a case of brief interpersonal psychotherapy. Results: Although the client reported having more interpersonal problems than normative data both before and after therapy, she improved slightly on the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems. In an interview, the client reported more insight about interpersonal patterns and greater ability to state her needs. In relationship episodes at the end compared to the beginning of therapy, the client began responding more positively about her perceptions of others and expressed less debilitating inhibiting affects (typically shame and pain). The therapist also noted interpersonal changes in talking about their relationship. Discussion: Possible facilitators of change were the therapeutic relationship, therapist support, and therapist challenge. The benefits of assessing interpersonal patterns in terms of both the core conflictual relationship theme and affects are discussed.

Keywords:

• interpersonal functioning
• interpersonal psychotherapy
• core conflictual relationship theme
• affect