About ICP

Internal Cohesion Psychotherapy (ICP) is a new eclectic approach aiming to integrate best practices from different perspectives while remaining unique in conceptualizing the nature of psychopathology and its treatment. In a short time, this approach became popular and it is known for its practicability and effectivity. The core components of Internal Cohesion Psychotherapy are systems and time. Systems are composed of important relations that an individual has, and they are dependent on time (the past, present and the future).

This is the official webpage of Internal Cohesion Psychotherapy

What is Internal Cohesion?

Internal cohesion is the goal of this approach and represents healthier communication between the person and the four systems of human functioning. Internal cohesion is described as the condition in which the person is able to:

1.

Communicate openly with each system and accept the past, address and find solutions to the open conflicts related to each system in the past

2.

establish healthy relations with each of the four systems in the present

3.

manifest real and achievable expectations for future relations with each system.

Systems of ICP

Systems are composed of important relations that an individual has, which may directly impact psychological health and wellbeing.
There are four core systems in ICP:

1. intrapersonal

Very well-established communication or relation with own self. Subcomponents of the intrapersonal communication are: self-regulation, motivation, and self-esteem

2. Interpersonal

Any relation a person has with others: a better and healthier relationship with significant figures in their lives.

3. Professional

Goals in life, including academic and work performance

4. Spiritual

Finding a meaning of life.

Time

A central point of ICP is the construct of time. According to this approach, time is an important dimension that has a great impact on mental health. Uka (2022) describes time from a dynamic perspective. The individual’s current emotions are not only a reflection of the current events or experiences but also a reflection of past experiences and events, as well as the anticipation they have for future experiences and events.

Psychopathology from the ICP perspective

The adverse experiences (in which we invest emotions), the maladaptive ways of thinking (focusing attention on the intensive emotional experience – projecting the most negative scenarios for the future), failure to create an objective perception, suppressed emotional contents, noncommunication of potential problems, the way how experiences and events are perceived and interpreted can influence each of the factors and systems which maintain internal cohesion. Thus, these are some potential determinants of psychopathology from the ICP perspective.

Goals of ICP

The overarching objective of internal cohesion Psychotherapy is to help individuals reach the internal cohesion. Internal cohesion is described as the condition in which the person is able to

Communicate openly with each system and accept the past, address and find solutions to the open conflicts related to each system in the past

Establish healthy relations with each of the four systems in the present,

Establish real and achievable expectations for future relations with each system.

Process

The ICP therapeutic process involves 10 steps and each is proven to be important in reaching the overall goal of internal cohesion (Uka, 2022). The ICP process includes:

1.

Getting

to know clients,

2.

Understanding

the issues, problems, and challenges brought on by the client,

3.

Evaluating

collected information and evaluate the client’s difficulty/problem

4.

Analyzing

every factor from each time perspective

5.

Accepting

the past as it was and accept the current reality, while accept the chances/possibilities for the future.

6.

Challenging

client’s irrational thinking, unrealistic expectations, unjustified behaviors,

7.

Planning

the actions that reflect the balance between clients’ expectations from therapy and their potential.

8.

Intervening

through applying different intervention techniques

9.

Re-evaluating

or re-assessing the progress in therapy

10.

Releasing

the client when the objectives are reached and internal cohesion is established

Techniques

To build a positive and consistent relation with self and others, profession, and spiritual aspects – establishing internal cohesion – it is often necessary to apply a variety of therapeutic strategies and techniques. Around 30 techniques have been shown to be effective in clinical cases, and as such, these techniques are used to achieve the overall objective of this approach.