|
|
 |
APA Psychotherapy Training Videos are intended solely for educational purposes for mental health professionals. Viewers are expected to treat confidential material found herein according to strict professional guidelines. Unauthorized viewing is prohibited.
The cognitive–behavioral approach used in this video focuses on building relationship skills, thereby alleviating co-occurring depression in one or both partners. When couples come to therapy, often one or both partners is experiencing some form of depression. There is a reciprocal link between depression and relationship problems: Depression may be triggered by relationship problems, and relationship problems are often made worse by depression. Couples with depression usually do not provide a lot of support to one another, thereby increasing problems with the relationship as well as the depression. One goal of this therapeutic approach is to strengthen these relationships by building skills such as problem solving and communication. Relationship building helps with depression in couples: Research shows that stronger relationships may alleviate or even prevent the onset of depression. This approach is based on cognitive–behavioral couples therapy. Although depression is a mood disorder that manifests itself in the client's affect, its effect on a client's life may be influenced by the client's behavior. If the therapist can help the client to change his or her behavior, emotional change may follow. The logic behind this is that although we cannot change our feelings, we can change our behavior. In the case of couples therapy, changing behavior in one or both partners may help to build the relationship, thereby increasing support within the couple and possibly helping to alleviate some of the depression. Dr. Whisman's approach is to first assess the couple's strengths and whatever issues they may be dealing with. First he looks at the couple as a unit, then at each individual, listening to their problems and experiences. After assessment, Dr. Whisman focuses on increasing positive interactions between the partners. He does this by
These three behaviors counteract some of the effects of depression on the relationship, and may help to lessen the depression by, for instance, raising a partner's self-esteem, something that may have been decreased by depression. |
|
)
