Interpersonal Psychotherapy: Healing with a Relational Focus

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited psychotherapy that focuses on relationship stressors and ways to adaptively engage with social supports. With its clear clinical guidelines, therapist- and patient-friendly approach, and data supporting its effectiveness, IPT is easily integrated into mental health care to help patients with mood or eating disorders and interpersonal problems.

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited psychotherapy that focuses on relationship stressors and ways to adaptively engage with social supports. Since the first controlled IPT depression study 40 years ago, new applications of the model have emerged, informed by research and public health needs. Evidence for its effectiveness has led to its inclusion in expert consensus treatment guidelines for the treatment of depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder. This paper provides a clinical synthesis of IPT, reviewing adaptations that include: IPT-A, for use with adolescents with depression; interpersonal social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), for patients with bipolar disorder; IPT, for patients with eating disorders; and IPT, for patients with depression in culturally diverse settings. With its clear clinical guidelines, therapist- and patient-friendly approach, and data supporting its effectiveness, IPT is easily integrated into mental health care to help patients with mood or eating disorders and interpersonal problems.