Page 74 - JCBP-2-2

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Treating depression using ICP approach

(i) Stage I: Getting to know, understanding, and a plan designed to achieve the therapy’s goal – internal
evaluation of the client (first session) cohesion, characterized by sincere communication
In line with the ICP process, the initial focus of between the person and systems in the past, present,
the psychotherapist was on establishing a healthy and future. Subsequent stages of the psychotherapy
therapeutic relationship with the client. During this process focus on planning the actions that strike a
stage, the psychotherapist engaged in the process of balance between the client’s expectations from therapy
getting to know the client and gaining insights into the and the potential to realize these expectations.
case history. Subsequently, the psychotherapist delved (iv) Stage IV: Intervening (seventh, eighth, ninth, and
into understanding the issues, problems, and challenges tenth sessions)
presented by the client, all of which were considered Intervening is a substantial stage in the ICP process.
determinants of the current emotional state. Finally, ICP encourages self-reflection and places particular
the client was evaluated using BDI-II, resulting in a emphasis on challenging distorted and automatic
score of 46, indicating severe depression. Throughout thoughts pertaining to the past, present, and future. In
the psychotherapy sessions, the psychotherapist psychotherapy’s intervention stage, efforts are focused
consistently employed active listening and empathy on several key aspects: (a) Enhancing the client’s
with the aim of fostering an environment in which the relationship with herself (intrapersonal system), targeting
client felt understood and respected. self-regulation skills, self-esteem, and motivation;
(ii) Stage II: Analyzing the relationship of the client with (b) establishing improved relationships with others
the systems (second and third sessions) (interpersonal system), including family members,
In alignment with the ICP conceptualization, partner(s), friends, and colleagues; (c) promoting more
psychotherapy sessions are directed toward an effective communication within the client’s professional
exploration of the individual’s relationship with system (professional system), including her academic
four distinct systems: intrapersonal, interpersonal, pursuit and career plans; and (d) exploring the client’s
professional, and spiritual, each examined across individual belief system (spiritual system), recognizing its
three different time points [11,12] . In this specific case, potential role in her mental health and overall wellbeing.
the client and psychotherapist engaged in a detailed The intervention process is characterized by the
analysis of every system and factor affecting the application of multiple intervention techniques. In this
client’s current emotional state. This analysis involved particular case, the therapist employed techniques such
a comprehensive examination of the past, present, as “The technique of moving in time,” “Multiple reflections,”
and future. During this process, the psychotherapist “Accept or change,” “Rational planning,” “Let’s close it
identified cognitive distortions (i.e., I am worthless, differently,” “Worst case scenarios,” “Hypothetical situations,”
and I deserve to be in pain), negative self-talk (i.e., as “Let’s say no,” and “Homework and psychoeducation.”
you can see, there is nothing I can be proud of myself), (v) Stage V: Re-evaluating and releasing (11 session)
th
and wrong attributions (i.e., It’s her fault (refers to her During the final session, the client was re-evaluated
mum), since she never supported me) of the client. using the ICP interviewing protocol and BDI-II.
(iii) Stage III: Accepting, challenging, and planning (fourth The results indicated minimal signs of depression
and sixth sessions) (scale score of 11). Subsequently, both the client and
In this stage, numerous events were identified as the psychotherapist agreed on the conclusion of the
triggers of the client’s emotional condition. The client psychotherapy process, signifying the client’s release
was guided through past experiences and encouraged from psychotherapy. More specifically, the decision
to accept the reality of her history from a different, to release the client from psychotherapy was based on
more objective perspective. Moreover, she was guided the achievement of internal cohesion, characterized by
toward accepting her current reality and adopting a improved communication between the client and the
realistic outlook for the future. With the establishment four systems. The client reported improved well-being
of a strong therapeutic relationship between the client and healthier relationships within the intrapersonal,
and therapist, the therapist began to challenge irrational interpersonal, professional, and spiritual systems.
thoughts and beliefs held by the client (i.e., there is
no activity that can bring me pleasure), unrealistic 2.4. Client’s perception of the therapeutic process
expectations (i.e., if I walk away of this country my life The client underwent an in-depth face-to-face interview
will change), and unjustified behaviors (i.e., yelling at the conducted by an independent psychology practitioner
family members for not understanding her point of view). using the “effectivity of ICP” protocol. The primary
Together with the client, the psychotherapist formulated objective of this interview was to explore the overall

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.1336