Group Intervention for Interpersonal Skills

Kiesler Circle Training is a transdiagnostic modular group treatment, which comprises a baseline module and four additional independent modules (nonverbal communication, verbal communication, conflict training and empathy and corrective interpersonal experiences). KCT is based on a heuristic model to explain and anticipate interactions developed by Donald Kiesler and other representatives of the interpersonal theory. The circumplex model arranges the variety of interpersonal behaviors in terms of a circular continuum allocated on two orthogonal axes: The vertical axis addresses interpersonal control (agency), the horizontal axis addresses interpersonal communion. The model further allows illustrating complementary action tendencies to anticipate other's reactions and to guide own behavior to achieve interpersonal goals. KCT is designed for increasing the awareness of such interpersonal action tendencies and for improving interpersonal behavioral flexibility.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is based on the interrelationships of thoughts, actions and feelings. Presumably, individual CBT will address intrapersonal therapeutic foci such as behavioral activation, identification of dysfunctional thoughts, overcoming fears by exposure, etc. Individual CBT may also include interpersonal functioning as therapeutic foci. Disorder-specific treatment manuals are available for all diagnoses included in the study. Of note, state-of-the-art CBT does not necessarily mean, that individual CBT-sessions strictly adhere to a manual. However, because both study sites are CBT training institutes, which guarantee supervision at least every four hours, it can be estimated that state-of-the-art CBT is realized.