HLTH423: Comparing CBT and IPT Psychological Strategies

This report provides a comprehensive comparison and contrast of two prominent psychotherapeutic approaches: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Part A delves into the key theoretical themes, conceptualization of change, therapeutic aims, roles of the therapist and client, and common interventions of both therapies. Part B presents a case study of a 22-year-old man diagnosed with depression, exploring the application of IPT to address his specific challenges, including role disputes and difficulties in role transition. The report examines the motivations for treatment, the rationale behind choosing IPT, the goals of counseling, the therapeutic process, and potential barriers to therapy, offering insights into the practical application of these psychological strategies in mental health treatment.

Running head: FOCUSED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES IN MENTAL HEALTH
FOCUSED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES IN MENTAL HEALTH
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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Introduction:
With the global burden of disease, mental illness has emerged as one of the leading
causes that impacted more than thousands of individuals every year. In Australia, 20% of
individuals experience at least one mental illness every year where 11.5% of the individuals have
one disorder. This paper aims to provide compare and contrast two common theories in the
psychology in part A and resolve a case study in the part B. The chosen two theories that would
be discussed in part A include Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy.
PART A:
Key theoretical themes:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy both introduced in
psychotherapy for resolving severe issues of the individual. However, while comparing the
theoretical underpinning, it can be said that the fundamental theoretical premise of Cognitive
behavioral therapy is that the individuals’ interpretation of their past and current experiences
directly influences how they perceive the external environment (Meadows et al., 2012) .
Therefore, this idiosyncratic interpretation of the experience and current events create emotional
reactions as well as future behavior. This process is known as information processing hypothesis
and individual biases along with negative thought patterns play a crucial role in interpretation.
On the other hand, the fundamental theoretical premise of interpersonal therapy is that
interpretation of the external environment of the individuals also influenced by the interpersonal
relationships of the individuals which further influence the emotional reaction (Linardon et al.,
2016). Secondly, another theoretical premise of CBT is that cognitive changes are central in
identifying emotional,

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Physiological, behavioral and environmental changes. On the other hand, another theoretical
premise of IPT is that interpersonal relationships are directly associated with current mood and
hence, interpersonal relationship dynamics are central in identifying emotional, physiological
and behavioral. In other words, while CBT focused on the negative thought process, IPT focused
on the grief about someone’s own sense of self.
How change is conceptualized:
Both therapies use a detailed process to conceptualize the changes in clients and both
therapies included in the psychotherapy treatment guideline. Considering CBT, Meadows et al.
(2012), suggested that in order to conceptualize, the change the therapist develop a cognitive
formulation through the cognitive model with a client where basic steps are 1) diagnosis; 2)
current issues 3) underlying negative thoughts and 4) how the client is coping with current
maladaptive behavior. On the other hand, considering IPT, in order to conceptualize the change,
the therapist use diathesis-stress model of psychiatric illness where common steps are 1)
diagnosis 2) identification of chronic stressful conditions3) Communication Analysis
4) Exploration of Options and Decision Analysis 5) improvement of social functioning as well as
social support (Markowitz & Weissman, 2012). While the conceptualization of CBT focused the
distorted negative thoughts of the individuals, the conceptualization of IPT focused on grief,
unresolved disagreements within interpersonal relations and a lack of life events.
Therapeutic aim:
The cognitive-behavioral therapy was established by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s for
resolving a broad range of illness compared to the IPT established by Gerald Klerman and
Myrna Weissman in 1970s which is therapeutically more specific for treating illness. Both

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therapies aim to decrease the psychological distress of the clients by providing alternative coping
strategies. Considering the therapeutic aim, the first therapeutic aim of cognitive behavioral
therapy is to assist clients to be aware of when they are involving in the negative interpretations
as well as negative behaviors that influence distorted thinking (Le et al., 2016). The second
therapeutic aim is to assist individuals to develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving so
that psychological distress can be reduced (Meadows et al., 2012). On the other hand, Deans,
Reay and Buist (2016), suggested the first therapeutic aim of interpersonal therapy is to assist
individuals to be aware of the dynamics of the personal relationships that impact the mood and
behaviors. The second therapeutic aim of the IPT is to improve interpersonal communication
skills within the relationship and develop social support with the rationale expectations
(Www.goodtherapy.org. , 2020). The common illnesses treated by CBT include depression,
bipolar eating, and schizophrenia. On the other hand, the common illnesses treated by IPT
include Anxiety, social phobia, posttraumatic stress, and Substance abuse issues
(Www.goodtherapy.org. , 2020).
Role of therapist and client:
In order to reduce mental illness, both therapies use therapeutic client and therapist
relationship as a fundamental basis. Both the therapist use empathy, compassion, respect and
empowerment as a basic technique to improve the mental health of the client. In the case of
CBT, Chan et al. (2019), argued that the role of the therapist listens, teach and encourage to the
client whereas the responsibility of the client is express the concern, learn and implement that
learning for altering negative automated thought process. Therefore, therapists and clients
together develop a therapeutic relationship where therapists identify the strength of the clients to
teach clients in improving thinking patterns. On the other hand, in interpersonal therapy, the

4FOCUSED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES IN MENTAL HEALTH
therapist works with patients to identify the specific area of problem in the client life
(Www.goodtherapy.org. , 2020). Therefore, the client with the assistance of the therapist learns
to resolve conflicts within the family relationship and make significant changes in their life.
Common interventions of CBT:
CBT is short term psychotherapy that usually ranges from 5 to 20 sessions where
therapists and clients usually decide a number of sessions based on the disorders and situations
clients subjected to. Similarly, IPT is short term psychotherapy which is also 8 to 16 sessions
depending on the situation of the clients. Meadows et al. (2012), the common interventions used
in the CBT include guided discovery, exposure therapy, journaling, behavioral activation,
behavioral activation, and role play. On the other hand, the common interventions used in IPT
include Use of effect, communication analysis, homework, role-play and problem-solving
(Www.goodtherapy.org. , 2020).
Part B:
Case conceptualized, hypothesis and motivation for treatment:
Rafaeli and Markowitz (2011), suggested that Interpersonal Psychotherapy defines
mental illness as an interpersonal crisis and therefore, the therapy enables the patient to resolve
it. It works on three major areas such as grief, role transition and role dispute. In this context, the
focus would be given to role dispute and role transition. Zuroff et al. (2017), suggested that role
dispute is a difficult area where depressive episodes of the patients are associated unsatisfied
with an interpersonal relationship described by non-reciprocal expectations. It is often
accompanied by the interpersonal deficit. On the other hand, role transition is another
problematic area where depressive episodes are associated with difficulties in coping with
changes in life circumstances.

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Taking a deep insight into the situation, it can be said that Paul had a poor relationship
with his mother who complained he does not do enough help enough and poor relationship with
father who had expressed his disappointments for him, indicating role dispute due to un-
reciprocal expectations. He also had no serious relationship in three years. On the other hand,
Paul studied IT at TAFE but dropped out before completing the course, indicating role transition
where he exhibited difficulties in coping with the situation. In this context, the motivations for
the change is to resolve conflicts and form a new role by clarifying roles so that he can improve
his sleeping patterns, gain weight and develop the social connection. He rarely talks and to see
his friends and in this context, improving social connection can be another motivation for
change. One of the noteworthy contextual features is that Paul is Jewish and Jewish individuals
often believe in faith than medicine and often consider sufferings as a will of God. Therefore, in
order to bring the change, the religious belief of Paul must be incorporated within the treatment.
The rationale behind choosing this theoretical approach:
Stevenson et al. (2016), suggested that Interpersonal psychotherapy is a evidence-based
treatment for depressive episodes which broadly focused on the patient’s current life events and
interpersonal functioning for understanding. The therapy enables clients to explore alternative
communication methods and ways to resolve relationship conflicts (Www.goodtherapy.org.
2020). Taking a deep insight into the situation, it can be said that no negative automated thought
was mentioned in this context, rather the family dynamics were highlighted with role dispute
which might be the possible contributing factor behind the disturbed sleeping pattern and low
mood. Therefore, in this context, the interpersonal theory would be the most suitable way of
coping up with the current situation and resolving the conflicts between relationships as
interpersonal conflicts made him appear to be a good candidate for IPT.

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Goals of the counseling:
The goals for the counseling of Paul are to reduce role disputes with the parents by
resolving conflicts and establishing rational expectations along with improving interpersonal
skills and social support within three to six months by using various interpersonal psychotherapy
techniques (Rafaeli & Markowitz, 2011). The goal of the initial phases would be the
development of a therapeutic relationship with Paul followed by the understanding of the
interpersonal functioning of the patient, interpersonal issues associated with depression and
enable Paul to understand and monitor symptoms associated with interpersonal issues. In this
context, the cultural values of Paul maybe potential barriers as Jewish individuals often consider
suffering as a part of God’s will and often prefer therapists of the same gender (Silverman,
Johnson & Cohen, 2016).This issue can be resolved by incorporating cultural values and involve
in the therapist of the same gender. Another challenge is that it might be the case Paul might not
be aware of his roles in the interpersonal relationship which might impact the goal achievement.
Process of the therapy:
Three phases would be adopted for the patient where the initial phase will focus on
psychiatric history, interpersonal inventory, and case formulation. The second problem will be a
focus on the chosen interpersonal problem and the third phase would be focused on the review of
the course. In this current context, for exploring interpersonal inventory, the clarification method
can be used where the therapist will as questions so that Paul can convey additional details and
motivate for change (Dognin & Chen, 2018). During this phase, the communication of Paul with
his parents can be analyzed in terms of tone, setting, content followed by emotional experience.
It will enable him to identify communication patterns and motivate patients to develop effective
interpersonal skills. On the other hand, in the second phase, Paul can be assisted with techniques

7FOCUSED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES IN MENTAL HEALTH
that will enable him to resolve role dispute by resolving conflicts with parents and communicate
with them appropriately regarding unrealistic expectations (Whiston, Bockting & Semkovska,
2019). For improving role transition, Paul can be supported to acknowledge the loss of the old
role and develop a balanced view of new roles. Homework can be given to him regarding
working on the skills in the next therapy sessions and improve relationships. Lastly, in the last
session, the improvement can be reviewed.
Barriers in the therapy:
The common barrier that can be experienced during therapy is difficulties in maintaining
professional boundaries as sometimes asking personal questions may aggravate the mental health
of the patient. It can be resolved by formulating questions in such a way that it does not harm the
emotional experience of the patient (Ryan & Hurley, 2018). The confidentiality of the patient
must be maintained for improving outcomes. The second barrier that can be experienced is the
autonomy of Paul during teaching techniques as techniques may not be appropriate for the
culture. It can be resolved by asking Paul regarding cultural values and preference for the
treatment.
Conclusion:
On a concluding it can be said that psychotherapies are a fundamental basis of mental
illness treatment that altered the landscape of psychology. The essay discussed two
psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. While CBT
focuses on the automated negative thoughts that influence the behavior, interpersonal therapy
focuses on interpersonal relationships that influence the behavior. This essay also explored a
depressed Paul who required counseling. In this context, interpersonal therapy would be the most
suitable therapy that can empower him and improve his pattern.

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9FOCUSED PSYCHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES IN MENTAL HEALTH
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