Behavioral couple therapy (BCT) is designed for couples with relationship distress and one depressed partner. This therapy addresses couple distress that decreases closeness and support, increases conflict, and influences the course of depression. BCT includes behavioral interventions that focus on exchanges between partners, communication, and problem solving. In addition, therapists focus on increasing caring behaviors and reducing conflict between partners. Couple therapy is designed to decrease depression and also improve relationship functioning. BCT typically includes 12 to 20 sessions. Gupta, Coyne, and Beach (2003) note that clinicians should carefully consider the extent to which relationship distress plays a role in the depression and the ability of the depressed partner to participate actively in conjoint sessions, especially when the depression is severe.
The late Neil Jacobsen and Andrew Christensen (1996) extended BCT and developed integrative behavioral couples therapy (IBCT). IBCT brings together the behavioral emphasis on active change with acceptance-based strategies that promote emotional acceptance between partners and decrease their emotional reactivity to each other. Although IBCT is an extension of traditional behavior couples therapy, this more recent version has not been examined specifically as a treatment for depression.