Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy

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.