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For your convenience, we also offer video or telephone sessions. Call Dr. Randy Katz at (416) 515-2649 Ext. 228 for more details.

416-515-2649 Contact Us
Psychological Clinic |   99 and 101 Dupont St. Toronto, ON M5R 1V4
Child & Adolescents Clinic | 107 Dupont St. Toronto, ON M5R 1V4 Phone: 416-515-2649
The Clinic on Dupont Toronto

Interpersonal Difficulties Therapy

Interpersonal relationships are integral to meaning and fulfillment in our lives, but they can also be the cause of distress when problems with communication, interpretation and expectations arise. How successfully a person builds connections with families, friends, romantic partners, work colleagues and others is closely related to his or her happiness and ability to function well in different social settings. A number of issues can derail someone’s ability to form and maintain healthy relationships, including problems with emotional and impulse regulation, maladaptive patterns of thinking and behaving, and personality disorders. Without effective intervention, these issues can lead to negative patterns of interaction that emerge repeatedly in one’s personal and professional relationships. Cognitive behavioural therapy functions to address the underlying causes of interpersonal difficulties and to help clients build the social and emotional intelligence they need to cultivate balanced and healthy relationships.

Interpersonal Difficulties
Amy Kaiser Clinic on Dupont

AMY KAISER, Supervised Practice, Ph.D.

Stress, Depression, Women’s Issues, Interpersonal Conflict, Sexuality and Sexual identity, Health Psychology

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LAUREL GORDON, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Stress, Anxiety and Depression

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RICHARD BLOCH psychologist

RICHARD BLOCH, M.C., RP

Stress, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, and Anger

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AMRITA GHAI, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders

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Christine Curran psychologist

CHRISTINE CURRAN, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Depression, Grief, Stress, Psychosis, Assessment of Memory, and Concussion

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Robin Foster headshot

ROBIN FOSTER, Ph.D., C.Psych.

Depression, Suicidality, Anxiety, Psychosis, Interpersonal Issues

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INTERPERSONAL THERAPY TORONTO

What are interpersonal difficulties?

Interpersonal difficulties refer to problems with interpersonal relationships. Such difficulties may stem from feelings, thoughts, and behaviours that interfere with your ability to bond with others in general or in particular types of relationships.

Interpersonal difficulties can negatively affect any type of relationship, including familial, parent-child, romantic, and professional relationships.

How prevalent are interpersonal difficulties?

Interpersonal difficulties are common. We all have misunderstandings and conflict from time-to-time. However, for some, interpersonal difficulties may be enduring.

How do interpersonal difficulties affect people's lives?

Social skills play a crucial role in nearly all our interactions with others. Therefore, interpersonal difficulties can pose significant problems at school and work as a result of poor communication skills or conflict.

Interpersonal difficulty can also negatively impact family relationships and building and maintaining close friendships. This can ultimately lead to isolation and depression.

At The Clinic on Dupont, we provide interpersonal therapy to help you develop greater awareness and better social skills so you can build happier, healthier relationships.

What are the signs of interpersonal difficulties?

Several signs may indicate interpersonal difficulties. If you anger easily or feel frustrated by your difficulty in communicating with or listening to others, you may be struggling with interpersonal difficulties. Drama, social withdrawal, isolation, alienation, and loneliness are also signs.

What are the causes of interpersonal difficulties?

There are several causes of interpersonal difficulties. Traumatic experiences, such as being raised in an emotionally, verbally, or physically abusive environment, can negatively affect the development of social skills, emotional development, and personality. Growing up in a controlling or emotionally neglectful environment, or one with poor boundaries can also lead to interpersonal difficulties.

Another cause is mental disorders. Relationship difficulties can arise from an inability to regulate affect, impulsivity, or emotional outbursts.

Is interpersonal difficulties a mental disorder?

Interpersonal difficulties itself is not a mental disorder. Instead, interpersonal difficulties may stem from a mental illness or a personality disorder. Often, maladaptive thought and behavioural patterns arise from these conditions and lead to interpersonal difficulties.

What types of interpersonal therapy are used in treatment?

Our multi-disciplinary therapists use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Through DBT, you’ll develop greater awareness, learn to regulate your emotions, tolerate distress better, and improve your interpersonal skills.

How long does interpersonal therapy take?

The length of interpersonal psychotherapy may depend, in part, on the cause and severity of your difficulties. Treatment can take several weeks to a year or more to develop complete awareness and the skills to manage maladaptive behaviours so that you can build and maintain healthier relationships.

Are interpersonal difficulties a normal part of childhood?

Learning social and interpersonal skills is a normal part of childhood development. So some interpersonal difficulties may be normal for your child’s age. As children and adolescents mature, they continue to develop better social and communication skills.

However, several problems may indicate your child or adolescent needs help to develop better interpersonal skills. Trouble making and keeping close friends, being a victim or culprit of bullying, or being either too passive or aggressive in trying to resolve conflict, may require professional help.

If your child has difficulty understanding conversations, humor, facial expressions, and/or non-verbal language, interpersonal psychotherapy may benefit your child. Other signs include if your child or adolescent frequently interrupts conversations, makes inappropriate comments, and behaves inappropriately in groups.

What methods of interpersonal therapy are used to treat children?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the proven methods we use to treat children and adolescents for interpersonal difficulties. Our results-oriented therapists may use one or more CBT approaches. The methods will depend on your child’s age,

diagnosis, and the specific problems your child experiences. The methods used by your child’s therapist will help your child develop greater awareness and better social skills.