Main description:

Integrative behavioural couple therapy (IBCT) is an empirically validated approach that integrates the twin goals of acceptance and change as positive outcomes for couples in therapy. Using a variety of treatment strategies in a consistent behavioural theoretical framework, IBCT's key features include emphases on case formulation, emotional acceptance as a basis for concrete change, and evocative rather than prescriptive interventions.

IBCT is keenly focused on the emotional underpinnings of a couple's problems as the therapist offers a conceptualization of the problem from an IBCT perspective and engages in a variety of strategies to promote greater emotional acceptance as well as concrete change.

In this demonstration, Andrew Christensen works to give the couple a dyadic perspective on their problems and uses the IBCT interventions of empathic joining and unified detachment to evoke compassionate and caring responses from the couple.