Understanding Carl Tom's IP Scope in Therapy

May 11, 2025

Lecture Notes on Carl Tom's IP Scope

Introduction

  • Presenter: Not specified, but knowledgeable about Carl Tom's work.
  • Purpose: To introduce Carl Tom's IP scope from the "Mastering Competencies" textbook (4th edition).
  • Audience: Primarily aimed at those interested in marriage family therapy.

Overview of Carl Tom

  • Background: Family therapist, MD, based at University of Calgary.
  • Achievements:
    • Pioneered family counseling center with non-DSM5 diagnostic criteria.
    • Developed IP scope with colleagues Dan Sally St George, Dan Wolf, and Tom Strong.
  • Approach: Integrates systemic and postmodern perspectives.

IP Scope Model

  • Focus: Identifies interactional patterns across systems and problems.
  • Usage: Applicable to clients, couples, families, and individuals.
  • Nature of Patterns:
    • Interpersonal patterns (IPs): Recurrent and stable patterns in interactions.
    • Serviceable fictions: Used to aid therapy, not ultimate truths.

Types of Patterns

  • Pathologizing Interpersonal Patterns (PIPs): Increase negativity and suffering.
  • Healing Interpersonal Patterns (HIPs): Facilitate forgiveness and minimize PIPs.
  • Wellness Interpersonal Patterns (WIPs): Encourage competence, positivity, and intimacy.
  • Transforming Interpersonal Patterns (TIPs): Therapist actions that move PIPs to WIPs.
  • Deteriorating Interpersonal Patterns (DIPs): Slips from WIPs back to PIPs.
  • Sociocultural Interpersonal Patterns (SKIPs): Influenced by societal discourses.

Examples of Patterns

  • PIPs: Defending and criticizing, distancing and pursuing.
  • HIPs: Apologizing and forgiving, acknowledging competence.
  • WIPs: Constructive feedback, affection, and respect.
  • SKIPs: Influenced by beliefs like individualism vs. collectivism.

Practical Applications

  • Therapeutic Goals: Stabilize wellness patterns, identify and transform pathologizing patterns.
  • Circular and Reflexive Questions: Used to identify and reflect on patterns.

Cultural Considerations

  • Power Differentials: Addressed more comprehensively in modern systemic approaches.
  • Gender Roles: Impact interaction patterns significantly, whether heterosexist or egalitarian.

Conclusion

  • Carl Tom's IP Scope: Provides a comprehensive framework for understanding relational dynamics.
  • Utility: Useful across different therapeutic approaches and contexts.
  • Q&A Session: Addressed clarifications on IP scope terminology.

Final Thoughts

  • The IP scope is an integrative model that emphasizes understanding and transforming interpersonal and intrapersonal patterns to improve therapeutic outcomes.