subject: Depression: How Relationship Counselling For One May Help [print this page] In the assessing the origins of depression, it is very common to see that one or more relationships may be strong contributing factors. Past relationships may continue to lead to depression. For example, physical and/or psychological abuse from a parent, sibling, teacher, or school peer, as a child may instill emotional memories that influence ones current reactions. Obviously, current problematic relationships can also lead to depression.
In an approach most people find to be logical and sensible, clinical biopsychology explains why these problems develop based on the design of the brain. It also discusses how the relationship memories and problems can best be addressed. Professional papers on brain design and clinical biopsychology/emotional restructuring have been published by Dr. Robert Moss, and he has presented workshops in the U.S. and Europe.
Emotional restructuring is a process by which influential negative emotional memories tied to relationships are neutralized. If the memories are neutralized, then the patient finds less reaction to current day situations. In other words, much of their maladaptive reaction is the result of memories being activated.
In this approach, individual therapy actually is relationship counselling. Not only does the patient deal with the emotional memories, they simultaneously develop a better understanding of human behavior. The behavior patterns discussed in emotional restructuring are called those of givers and takers. The patient also learns how to best deal with each behavioral pattern type.
Other individual psychotherapy approaches have been developed that are actually relationship counselling as well. One specific one has been called interpersonal therapy. In contrast to the clinical biopsychological approach, it is not based on any particular theory. Interestingly, the aspects pinpointed in interpersonal therapy are actually addressed in the clinical biopsychological approach.
Dr. Moss has written extensively for lay audiences about the brain model as it relates to dealing with people most effectively. He does relationship counselling, but his written works may offer those living too far away a means by which they can learn to most effectively deal with relationships contributing to depression. He has also written books on how the brain model relates to Biblical information.
