Compelling bodies of scientific evidence have converged to indicate that "interpersonal relationships are the foundation and theme of human life" (Reis, Collins, & Berscheid, 2000, p. 844). The centrality of processes between self and others to human evolutionary history; their ubiquity throughout the life cycle; and their powerful influence on development, motivation, and behavior are well documented (Reis et al., 2000;Ryff & Singer, 1998;Siegel, 1999). Highlighting their profound significance in the human experience, Berscheid and Reis (1998) concluded that "relationships are people's most frequent source of both happiness and distress" (p. 243).Chronic dysfunction in self-other processes and its painful consequences are perhaps nowhere more prominent than in the case of personality disorder (PD; Livesley, 2001;Skodol et al., 2002), at the very heart of which indeed lie "problems with self or identity and chronic interpersonal dysfunction" (Clarkin, 2006, p. 2; cf. Livesley, 2001;Pincus, 2005a). In this chapter, we synthesize principal themes in the theory, research, and practice of interpersonal psychotherapy with PD clients, a paradigm that directly targets the multiple maladaptive self-other processes fundamental to this complex and challenging class of disorders. In highlighting both the covert and overt levels of these relational phenomena and their reciprocality, the interpersonal approach also
Embedded within negative affective states is "teleological meaning," essential information connoting a highly preferred but not yet existent state. Cybernetic systems, existential-phenomenological, and solution-focused narrative perspectives concur as to individuals' fundamentally teleological nature. This significant dimension of theoretical convergence is synthesized with additional key areas of complementarity among these perspectives to create an integrative brief therapy for rapidly transforming negative affective states into constructive change. The structural and technical composition of this integrative treatment process is presented in its prototypic form, followed by a detailed case presentation illustrating essential components of the prototypic treatment model in dialectical interplay with the therapeutic adjustments and improvisations invariably called forth by the human encounter.The central element of consciousness is the capacity to have intentionality, directedness in consciousness, life orientation. Ranging from lassitude and no aware intent to the intense focus of someone fighting for life, intention is always, at least implicitly, a characteristic of life. . . . Whether it be the dedicated scientist devoting her or his talents to a project, the gifted artist focusing her or his gifts on a masterwork, a first-string quarterback diving for a touchdown, a junior high girl practicing putting on make-up, a kindergarten boy whispering a secret to a pal, or
This article focuses on salient issues and directions in pursuing a unifying paradigm for psychotherapy. This endeavor is placed in historical context, followed by discussion of the author's definition of unification and of benefits that can accrue from this pursuit. Subsequently, attention is devoted to the core challenge of reconciling the quest for unity with the enormous, functionally invaluable plurality of knowledge elements deriving from the multiple paradigms guiding psychotherapy theory, research, and practice. Based on Staats (1991Staats ( , 1999, three tasks necessary for addressing this tension are delineated: undertaking unifying theory analysis to reduce conceptual redundancy; developing bridging theory to unify divergencies, facilitated by dialectical thinking and formulation; and unifying research methodologies in psychotherapy. Discussion then turns to biopsychosocial systems metatheory as a framework for a unifying psychotherapeutic paradigm. In this context, the author examines interrelationship and process as fundamental unifying principles; insights from cybernetics, chaos theory, and their synthesis; and implications of the systems paradigm for unificationoriented scientific inquiry.
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