What is Interactive Cooperation?
Interactive Cooperation (IC) is a practical method for handling difficult situations, conflicts and cooperation problems – especially in professions where you meet people with stress, psychiatric symptoms or cognitive difficulties. The method is used in psychiatry, healthcare and social work. Around 3000 participants have completed the three-day training in small groups of 10-15 participants.
The goal is simple: to create contact and understanding even in situations that are sensitive, charged or pressured. Instead of ending up in a power struggle or deadlock, you get tools to find the next step – where both you and the other party can feel heard, respected and safe.
“What should I do now, within 30 seconds?”
This is one of the guiding questions in Interactive Cooperation.
A method for reality
In many work roles, you encounter people who have difficulty collaborating. This can be due to stress, misunderstandings, mental illness, trauma or difficulties interpreting social signals. In private life, you can sometimes choose to back off. In work, you often have to act – here and now.
🔹 How do you do it in a way that creates calm, not makes things worse?
🔹 How can you set boundaries without breaking the relationship?
🔹 How do you deal with suspicion, anger or passivity – and still move forward?
Interactive Response gives you a way to think and act in precisely such situations.
A model of action – not a theory
IB is not primarily a model for understanding why people behave the way they do. It is a model for what you yourself can do – with a focus on concrete alternatives in the situation you are in.
The methodology is based on the principle that collaboration does not happen by itself – it is something we actively create. By systematically asking yourself certain questions, you can find a new way to move forward.
IB helps you to:
🔹 Clarify what is actually going on in the meeting
🔹 Identify what you want to achieve
🔹 See what options you have
🔹 Find a form of communication that both you and the other person can handle
🔹 Assess what is a reasonable level of expectation in this particular meeting
For which situations?
Interactive Cooperation is specifically developed for use in:
🔸 Meeting people who have psychiatric symptoms, suspiciousness or strong affect
🔸 Working with people with NPF or cognitive disabilities
🔸 Situations where standard communication methods are not enough
🔸 Environments where conflicts easily arise – or where cooperation is not obvious
🔸 Professional roles where staff often find themselves caught between structure, needs and safety
Both human and professional
Interactive Response assumes that every situation is unique – but that there are patterns in what usually works. The training focuses on skills rather than opinions. You get to practice, try, talk and reflect.
And perhaps most importantly: you get to feel what works for you.
The aim is not to be perfect.
The aim is to be better prepared for next time.
🔜 Next page: Course structure and content →