The Interpersonal Situation: Contemporary Integrative Interpersonal Theory, Assessment, and Psychotherapy

A flexible, evidence-based framework that bridges therapeutic approaches to empower clinicians in understanding and treating diverse clients with diverse problems. 

Contemporary integrative interpersonal theory (CIIT) uses interpersonal principles in a way that is evidence‐based, practical, and ecumenical. It does not offer one particular type of therapy focused on one type of disorder, but rather a heuristic model for clinicians, who may operate from different theoretical orientations, to conceptualize the client and the problem at hand.

The interpersonal situation provides a flexible framework for conceptualizing psychotherapy clients, their problems in terms of thoughts, feelings and behaviors, and their interactions with psychotherapists. This book explores how psychopathology and psychotherapy are understood within the CIIT framework, and examines how therapists can implement the principles and techniques of CIIT for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Chapters explain the CIIT conception of psychopathology, describe how common mental health problems can be conceptualized in terms of interpersonal mapping, and provide detailed, practical, step-by-step guidance for clinical interventions.
 

Aaron Pincus is a professor of clinical psychology at the Pennsylvania State University. He has published hundreds of research articles and chapters, established the Contemporary Integrative Interpersonal Theory upon which this book is based, and is widely considered the foremost expert in interpersonal assessment, theory, and psychotherapy. He is a founding member and former President of the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research, fellow of the Society for Personality Assessment, and former editor‐in‐chief of Assessment, in addition to several other editorial roles. He has won numerous awards, including the American Psychological Association Theodore Millon Award for contributions to Personality Psychology and the Society for Personality Assessment Bruno Klopfer Award for contributions to Personality Assessment. He has also been in active clinical practice and supervision for more than 30 years.

Christopher J. Hopwood is a professor of personality psychology at the University of Zurich. He has published hundreds of research articles, edited books, and chapters on personality assessment, personality disorders, and interpersonal processes. He is the former president of the Society for Interpersonal Theory and Research and board member and fellow of the Society for Personality Assessment. He has been associate editor at Assessment, Journal of Personality Assessment, Journal of Personality Disorders, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science. He has won numerous awards, including the American Psychological Association Theodore Millon Award for contributions to Personality Psychology and the Society for Personality Assessment Beck, Exner, and Mid‐Career Awards for contributions to Personality Assessment. He has more than 10 years of experience in clinical practice and supervision.