Changes in interrelating over the course of psychotherapy

Abstract

This chapter reports on the rationale of applying individual therapy in treating psychopathology symptoms and couple and/or family interrelating deficiencies. The efficacy of systemic interventions in treating relationship distress has been well documented. However, less attention has been paid to the effectiveness of individually orientated therapies which address dysfunctional relationships in couples and families. A review of the relevant literature will be presented and two Greek studies will be cited (Kalaitzaki et al., Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 17, 463-481, 2010; Kalaitzaki et al., Psychotherapy Research, 30, 1-10, 2014). These studies have examined whether family and couple interrelating, respectively, could be ameliorated during the course of patients’ individual psychotherapy. Both studies have shown that individual therapy could be effective in improving interrelating difficulties in couples and families.