Determination of Family History

Naturally, a number of therapy sessions immediately come to mind when it comes to deciding the most appropriate and effective therapeutic intervention that will resolve the psychological problems that Jeff and his son Roger are battling with. Given the case at hand both the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) will be able to offer significant help, however within the context of this essay, they are considered not to be exclusively effective because of their respective limitations when it comes to maximum impact assessment (Meyer, 2004). One of such limitations associated with the cognitive behavioral therapy has to do with its absolute emphasis on thoughts as the primary driver of negative emotions and feelings. Indeed, given the case in question thoughts cannot be left out as part of the psychotherapeutic process, but it will fail to touch the human element component in contributing to the process of triggering the psychological crisis in Jeff’s family; consequently, reducing the efficacy of this strategy as a therapeutic intervention.

Taking a superficial look at the interpersonal therapy strategy, it may sound convincing because unlike the cognitive behavioral therapy it stretches to cover the real challenges that threaten the stability of any interpersonal relationship as can be seen between Jeff and his son Roger. It also explores areas that will significantly bring to fore the patient’s life history, in a way that will highlight the real hot spots in the relationship leading to the initiation of a process that will come out with corrective measures (Geller, 1997). Adopting this path alone will conceal some basic yet vital details that are necessary for the arrival of the right diagnosis and subsequent prescription of intervention measures.

Having said this therefore, does not in any way suggest that there is no ideal psychotherapeutic strategy that will work for the Jeff family. It is against this background that this paper remains convinced based on justifiable grounds that the most ideal approach is what McCullough (PhD), an authority affiliated to the Virginia Commonwealth University, described as the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) (MCullough, 2006). It is a strategy that clearly has the potency to address the various dimensions of the complexities in the Jeff family.

Suffice to state that the cardinal reason for the choice of this strategy has to do with the fact that it deals directly with the chronic depression that cuts across the family. It also proves effective in bringing to light all the mood disorders that affects both adults and teenagers as is the situation in the case of the Jeff family. It should also be noted that there is a history of bipolar syndrome which often than not has the greatest impact during puberty. Its core effects are felt during puberty because much of the mood instability that arises are the direct consequences of related interpersonal psychological anxiety and insecurity culminating into a state of interpersonal withdrawal and avoidance at the very least (Carlson, 2006).

In summing up, the main factor influencing this therapeutic strategy is that, it has the capacity to bring to light the family history and of course how that is playing into the current psychological state of the members under treatment. Of particular concern is the fact that it will reveal the intricacies of the genogram of the family. This is absolutely necessary because it is gathered from the narration that besides Jeff and Roger, Jeff’s ex-wife, who is also Roger’s mother was diagnosed of a particular psychological disorder which cannot be left out, granted the case has to be treated in the most congenial manner that it deserves.