Summary:

Welcome back! In today's episode, we give a general overview of some key terms and concepts underlying IRT as both a theory of psychopathology and a principles-based therapy approach. We discuss the goals of therapy in IRT, how to identify maladaptive behaviors linked to loved ones, and how to help build the adaptive part of the self that is able to let go and (you guessed it!) love differently. We also define key concepts unique to IRT, such as copy processes and the gift of love (GOL), and how they are incorporated into a case formulation.

We discuss the contentious label of "treatment resistance" within the mental health community and provide a re-frame of how mental illness can be understood through an IRT lens.

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Timestamps:

• • (04:40) - Definition of ‘symptoms’ from an IRT point of view
  • (05:16) - Red and Green parts of the self
  • (08:30) - Goal of IRT - the adaptive self
  • (13:10) - SASB description of Green behaviors
  • (13:40) - SASB description of Red behaviors
  • (18:00) - Function of enacting Red
  • (19:10) - Love, protection, and approval
  • (20:49) - Reframing treatment resistance
  • (21:57) - GOL, defined
  • (26:35) - Introjection as copy process
  • (28:00) - Recapitulation as copy process
  • (34:20) - Case formulation components in IRT
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References:

• Benjamin, L.S. Interpersonal Diagnosis and Treatment of Personality Disorder. N.Y: Guilford Press. 1st edition, 1993; 2nd 1996; paperback 2003.
• Benjamin, L. S. Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT): an integrative personality-based treatment for complex cases. New York: Guilford Press. (2003; paperback edition 2006)
• Benjamin, L.S. (2018). Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy for Anger, Anxiety and Depression: It’s about Broken Hearts, Not Broken Brains. Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Association