Session 2: Completing the Closeness Circle and Identifying Parenting Challenges
Chapter 6 of Family-based Interpersonal Psychotherapy (FB-IPT) for Depressed Preadolescents presents the second session of family-based interpersonal therapy (FB-IPT), in which the therapist outlines the structure for the remainder of the initial phase of treatment (check-in, time with the preadolescent, and time with the parent). The preadolescent rates their feelings using the mood thermometer during the check-in and the therapist helps to link changes in her mood to interpersonal events in the last week. The therapist completes a closeness circle with the preadolescent, a visual mapping of important relationships with family members and friends. When meeting with the parent individually, the therapist helps the parent to identify a challenging aspect of parenting his or her preteen where the limited sick role can be applied.