About ICP

Internal Cohesion Psychotherapy (ICP) is built around four core systems that shape an
individual’s psychological health and well-being. Each system represents a vital domain of
human experience — from our inner world to our relationships, goals, and sense of purpose —
and serves as a pathway for therapeutic growth and transformation

What is The Internal Cohesion?

The Internal cohesion is the goal of this approach and represents healthier communication between the person and the four systems of human functioning. Internal cohesion is described as the condition in which the person is able to:

1.

Communicate openly with each system and accept the past, address and find solutions to the open conflicts related to each system in the past

2.

establish healthy relations with each of the four systems in the present

3.

manifest real and achievable expectations for future relations with each system.

The Systems of ICP

The Systems are composed of important relations that an individual has, which may directly impact psychological health and wellbeing.
There are four core systems in ICP:

1. intrapersonal

The intrapersonal system centers on the relationship we have with ourselves — our thoughts,
self-perceptions, and internal dialogue. Internal Cohesion Psychotherapy helps individuals
develop honest and accepting self-communication, fostering inner peace and well-being. Key
pillars of this system include self-regulation, self-esteem, and motivation, all of which are
strongly linked to mental health and life satisfaction. A healthy inner voice can be just as
powerful as any external support.

2. Interpersonal

This system highlights the importance of our relationships with family, friends, and partners.
Meaningful connections are essential for emotional development, stress reduction, and
psychological resilience. From childhood bonds to peer support and romantic partnerships,
these relationships shape our identity and mental health. Therapy within this system focuses on
improving communication and repairing relational patterns to strengthen overall well-being.

3. Professional

Our academic and work lives deeply impact our mental health. Success in school or at work
contributes to self-esteem and motivation, while failure or unemployment can lead to stress,

anxiety, or depression. This system also emphasizes the importance of fulfilling personal life
goals, whether professional or otherwise. Internal Cohesion Psychotherapy helps clients
navigate career challenges and align personal aspirations with mental wellness.

4. Spiritual

The spiritual system explores our connection to something greater — be it faith, nature, or a
search for meaning. Spirituality has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress,
offering comfort in times of uncertainty or loss. This system includes religious beliefs but
extends beyond them to individual experiences of transcendence and purpose. Therapy here
respects and integrates clients' spiritual identities as part of holistic mental health care.

Time

A central point of ICP is the construct of time. According to this approach, time is an important dimension that has a great impact on mental health. Uka (2022) describes time from a dynamic perspective. The individual’s current emotions are not only a reflection of the current events or experiences but also a reflection of past experiences and events, as well as the anticipation they have for future experiences and events.

Psychopathology from the ICP perspective

The adverse experiences (in which we invest emotions), the maladaptive ways of thinking (focusing attention on the intensive emotional experience – projecting the most negative scenarios for the future), failure to create an objective perception, suppressed emotional contents, noncommunication of potential problems, the way how experiences and events are perceived and interpreted can influence each of the factors and systems which maintain internal cohesion. Thus, these are some potential determinants of psychopathology from the ICP perspective.

Goals of ICP

The overarching objective of internal cohesion Psychotherapy is to help individuals reach the internal cohesion. Internal cohesion is described as the condition in which the person is able to

Communicate openly with each system and accept the past, address and find solutions to the open conflicts related to each system in the past

Establish healthy relations with each of the four systems in the present,

Establish real and achievable expectations for future relations with each system.

The Process

The ICP therapeutic process involves 10 steps and each is proven to be important in reaching the overall goal of internal cohesion (Uka, 2022). The ICP process includes:

1.

KNOWING the client

2.

Understanding

the issues, problems, and challenges brought on by the client,

3.

Evaluating

collected information and evaluate the client’s difficulty/problem

4.

Analyzing

every factor from each time perspective

5.

Accepting

the past as it was and accept the current reality, while accept the chances/possibilities for the future.

6.

Challenging

client’s irrational thinking, unrealistic expectations, unjustified behaviors,

7.

Planning

the actions that reflect the balance between clients’ expectations from therapy and their potential.

8.

Intervening

through applying different intervention techniques

9.

Re-evaluating

or re-assessing the progress in therapy

10.

Releasing

the client when the objectives are reached and internal cohesion is established

Techniques

To build a positive and consistent relation with self and others, profession, and spiritual aspects – establishing internal cohesion – it is often necessary to apply a variety of therapeutic strategies and techniques. Around 30 techniques have been shown to be effective in clinical cases, and as such, these techniques are used to achieve the overall objective of this approach.