Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy and
Structural Analysis of Social Behavior
are two, related methods for helping a wide range clients in psychotherapy, especially those with longstanding interpersonal problems, complex trauma, and personality disorder
What are IRT and SASB?
Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT), created by Dr. Lorna Smith Benjamin, is a compassionate and attachment-oriented way of intervening that is tailored based on an individualized understanding of the deep, tricky, unyielding ways we subconsciously hold on to our self-destructive patterns.
Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) is a tailorable tool that IRT clinicians (and clinical researchers) use to measure, understand, and make it possible to work with even very complex relationship patterns spanning across an individual’s life history
Check out Dr. Ken Critchfield and Dr. Eliza Stucker-Rozovsky’s new podcast!
Workshops & Webinars
March 20-22, 2026
The IRPIR Association, in collaboration with the SSPC-IFREP, SSSPC-UPS and SSPT-SAPA Specialization Schools, is hosting their 2026 International Clinical Days in Rome, with special focus on clinical application of Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT). Dr. Critchfield will teach about how to transform "gifts of love,” focusing on intervention with complex, comorbid and severe personality problems in-person from March 20-22.
April 10 & 11, 2026
Level I Certification for Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT)
Presented by Ken Critchfield, Ph.D. and Eliza Stucker-Rozovsky, Psy.D.
12 CE workshop
Virtual/online format
10am to 6:30pm ET
Please note: Participants will be expected to watch a 90-minute diagnostic interview and answer a few questions as homework between days 1 and 2. ● 15.5 CE credits available
● Licensed Professionals = $700
● Pre-licensed/supervised trainees = $350
Workshop Overview
Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT), developed by Lorna Smith Benjamin, is an evidence-informed, integrative treatment model for individuals with personality disorders and complex interpersonal patterns. Rooted in interpersonal theory and informed by the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB), IRT offers a precise, formulation-driven approach to understanding and intervening with chronic psychopathology.
This two-day Level 1 Certification training will provide participants with a comprehensive introduction to the foundational principles of IRT, including IPIRs, copy processes, the Gift of Love hypothesis, IRT stages of change, and the core IRT algorithm. The training will emphasize the empirical research base supporting IRT and its application to personality pathology. There will be didactic elements as well as opportunities for active learning and multiple opportunities for questions and dialogue with the instructors.
Participants will leave with an understanding of how IRT case formulation guides treatment decisions and can help to get patients “unstuck” from maladaptive patterns, particularly when these patterns have interfered with prior treatment attempts.
This course is designed for licensed mental health professionals seeking a sophisticated, interpersonal framework for working with individuals experiencing personality disorders and longstanding relational difficulties. Level 1 certification is a prerequisite for Level 2 training, which will certify participants as IRT therapists.
By the end of the training, participants will:
● Understand foundational IRT theory and research
● Identify and describe the three copy processes
● Develop and revise an IRT case formulation
● Describe how formulation informs treatment planning
● Summarize adherence to the IRT treatment algorithm
Completion of Level 1 provides a strong conceptual foundation in IRT but does not qualify participants to practice IRT independently.
Educational Objectives:
Participants will become able to:
1. Identify and describe foundational concepts of IRT, such as IPIRs, Gift of Love, copy processes.
2. Summarize the research base supporting IRT.
3. Identify the stages of change and steps of IRT.
4. Summarize adherence to the core IRT algorithm.
5. Use the SASB model to identify copy processes and therapeutic goals.
6. Describe the gift of love and identify ways to utilize the gift of love in helping patients advance in stages of change.
7. Apply foundational knowledge of IRT to create IRT case formulation.
8. Describe how the IRT case formulation can be utilized to guide treatment.
9. List core aspects of the initial interview required to gather information for a case formulation.
10. Generate a list of therapy goals based on a case formulation. Following the workshop, attendees will receive access to a recording of the workshop for 30 days and workshop slides for personal use.
Offers 15.5 CE credits Continuing Education
Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Philadelphia Behavior Therapy Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This program provides 15.5 hours of CE credits. PBTA now offers CE to licensed psychologists licensed in the state of New York. Attestation of full attendance and provision of license number post-event required to obtain certificate that meets NY criteria for CE. PBTA is also an authorized provider of CE credits for Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania. Non-psychologist licensees in other states should confirm with their respective boards if this meets criteria for CE in their specific non-PA states. Full attendance with video display is required to obtain CE credit for this program. APA guidelines do not permit PBTA to issue partial CE credits. No refunds are provided for CE programs. No exceptions allowed. Zoom video link is immediately able to be downloaded upon purchase. Registrants can cancel up to 48 hours before the event when registration closes.
Archived Trainings can be found here!
IRT Peer Consult Group with Dr. Ken Critchfield
For advanced IRT practitioners for ongoing maintenance of skills and support for work with difficult cases. CE’s available.
For acceptance into the sequence email Dr. Critchfield
Coming Soon!
IRT Certification training sequence. Anticipated to be 12-15 sessions, for experienced/established mental health practitioners, with CEs available.
Sign up with your email below to be notified!
Just released!
Dr. Lorna Smith Benjamin and Dr. Ken Critchfield
Dr. Lorna Smith Benjamin is the founder and creator of Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy and Structural Analysis of Social Behavior. She is Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of Utah and Founder of the Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy Clinic at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI). Dr. Benjamin is now in retirement and is not formally or directly affiliated with the IRT Institute
Dr. Ken Critchfield is a therapist, supervisor, and Program Director of the Clinical Psychology Program of the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University. He is the co-author of the SASB Guide for Clinical Use, and continues to help share the invaluable insights Lorna brought into the world. He has spent is life dedicated to understanding and helping those who have needed a higher level of care and compassion as they work towards healing.
Drs Benjamin and Critchfield have worked closely together for almost 2 decades and the ongoing development of her life's work in SASB and IRT is central to the institute's mission. Their wisdom and compassion continue to help those who have needed more than standard treatment to heal.