Interpersonal psychotherapy critique

Full Answer Section

         

• Core Principles and Techniques Check:
  • Were the core principles of the identified modality evident? For example:
    • If CBT: Was there a focus on identifying automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions, or core beliefs? Did the therapist use Socratic questioning to guide the client to new insights? Was there an emphasis on behavioral experiments or homework assignments? Was the session structured?
    • If Psychodynamic: Was there an exploration of unconscious patterns, past relationships, defense mechanisms, or transference/countertransference? Did the therapist interpret underlying dynamics?
    • If Motivational Interviewing (MI): Did the therapist use OARS (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, Summaries)? Was there an emphasis on eliciting "change talk" from the the client rather than instructing? Was the spirit of MI (collaboration, evocation, autonomy) maintained?
    • If DBT: Were skills training concepts (e.g., mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness) being reviewed or practiced? Was validation used appropriately?
  • Were specific techniques characteristic of the modality used correctly and effectively? (e.g., a "thought record" in CBT, a "chain analysis" in DBT, "empty chair" in Gestalt, etc.).
  • Was the pacing and flow of the session consistent with the modality's typical structure? Some modalities are highly structured (CBT), others less so (psychodynamic).
• Therapist's Skill and Adherence:
  • Did the therapist demonstrate competence in applying the chosen modality?
  • Was there clear intent behind the interventions?
  • Did the therapist adapt the modality to the client's individual needs, or did they seem rigid in their application?
  • Were interventions well-timed and delivered empathetically?
• Client Engagement and Responsiveness:
  • How did the client react to the interventions? Did they seem to grasp the concepts?
  • Was the client actively participating, or did they appear disengaged or resistant?
  • Were there observable shifts in the client's affect, thoughts, or behavior during the session?
• Therapeutic Alliance:
  • Was there evidence of rapport, trust, and mutual respect between the therapist and client?
  • Did the therapist demonstrate empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard?
  • How did the alliance seem to impact the effectiveness of the interventions?

Sample Answer

          Critical Appraisal: Application of Therapeutic Principles This section requires a strong understanding of the specific therapeutic modality (e.g., CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic, Solution-Focused, Motivational Interviewing, etc.) being demonstrated in the session.

1. Identify the Therapeutic Modality:
   • What specific therapeutic approach is the therapist attempting to employ? (e.g., Is it clearly a CBT session focusing on thought challenging, or is it more psychodynamic exploring past relationships?)