ABOUT THIS SEMINAR

Professor Lorna Smith Benjamin presents us with a groundbreaking approach that proposes a  differential, interpersonal model for the diagnosis and treatment of affective as well as personality disorders.
Based on natural biology and the study of interpersonal and intrapsychic dynamics, IRT (Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy) provides an in-depth explanation of the factors that give rise to symptoms and psychopathology.

Using Bowlby's attachment theory as a reference and drawing from different psychotherapeutic approaches such as cognitive, humanist, psychoanalytical and relational, she proposes an innovative and integral method for treatment.

This seminar presents a unique opportunity for participants to become acquainted with the work and theory of a leader clinician and researcher.

In an interactive manner, assistants will be able to further their understanding of affective disorders and psychopathology in general and gain powerful tools for their clinical practise.

Present affects, such as anger, anxiety and depression, are found to be linked to distinctive interpersonal and affective patterns in early relationships with parents.

Characteristic interpersonal patterns for Anxiety, Depression, Substance Abuse, Eating Disorders, PTSD and personality disorders will be identified and differential interpersonal diagnoses proposed.
For example, victims of childhood PTSD are likely to suffer from internalized self-attack and neglect.

Depression often is preceded by emphasis on Control and a perceived deficit in Protection. Anxiety likely is preceded by a combination of Love and Attack accompanied by a perceived deficit in Affirmation of competence.

The interpretation of these findings is based on Bowlby’s concept of internal working models that Benjamin called “family in the head” and suggested (2003/2006; 2018) are installed via three copy processes: identification, recapitulation and introjection. These interpersonal and intrapsychic patterns are supported by “Gifts of Love” meaning that for biologically adaptive reasons, compliance with parental modeling/ instruction via copying feels “right and good” even if logic says otherwise.

Critchfield and Benjamin (2008, 2010) confirmed the existence of copy processes in normal and clinical adult. Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT, Benjamin, 2003/2006) offers a guide for treatment that emphasizes differentiation from symptom relevant aspects of relationships with family in the head followed by behavioral techniques to facilitate reprograming in more adaptive ways.


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