Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited, focused, and evidence-based approach to treat mood disorders. The goal of this therapy is to mprove the quality of a client’s interpersonal relationships and social functioning as well as reducing overall distress. The IPT is also effective in managing unresolved grief linked to the death of a loved one and difficult life transitions such as retirement and divorce. Moreover, this approach is helpful when dealing with interpersonal disputes emerging from expectations between partners, close friends, family members or coworkers. The original idea for creating the IPT was to treat major depressive disorder even though it prooved effective for treating eating disorders, perinatal depression, drug and alcool addiction, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and other mood-related conditions.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy aims to change relationship patterns and target relationship difficulties that exacerbate symptoms.The approach focuses on the patient’s specified target areas without dwelling on his or her personality traits. It is important to note that the IPT consists of individual therapy sessions or group work completed within 12 to 16 weeks. It is also interesting to note thet it structures treatment with homework, continuous assessment, and interviews by the therapist. During the first phase of IPT, patients undergo three sessions during, which assesses the patient’s depressive symptoms and examine social history and close relationships.
Group sessions are time-limited, semi-structured, and focused on interpersonal dynamics. The groups also provide more opportunities for patients to practice interpersonal skills in a safe and supportive environment. Common activities include pre-treatment, mid-treatment, and post-treatment individual meetings to review goals, strategies, and progress. Proponents of IPT believe that change in the social environment is a key factor in the onset of depression as well as continued depression. Interpersonal psychotherapy is not only effective for adults but also for practice with adolescents and elderly patients. Harvard