An Introduction to Interpersonal Theory and Psychotherapy

For several years Carlton Cornett has given an introduction on interpersonal theory and psychotherapy to fourth year psychiatric residents at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Since 2019 he has been supervising the clinical work of Dr. Michael Kavur, a creative and thoughtful student of interpersonalism. For this year’s introduction to the residents, they decided to create a short study guide.

This introduction contains a series of essays outlining salient points of the interpersonal perspective. Dr. Kavur begins this series with an essay on his experience as a student grappling with the various models of the human condition presented to physicians in the United States. It is an interesting study of one physician’s experience. Cornett authored the remaining essays, focused on: general concepts, human development, psychopathology, and clinical work from an interpersonal viewpoint. The final paper may strike some readers as a little provocative, but an open-minded reading may challenge some to think outside the box about psychotherapy. Each essay is followed by a page where readers may record their thoughts and feelings about the previous material.