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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a short-term psychological (talking) therapy. Its foundations lie in attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969), communication theory (e.g., Kiesler, 1996), and social theory (e.g., Henderson, Byrne, Duncan-Jones, 1982). IPT therapists pay particular attention to their clients’ relationships with other people. The IPT model says that we can change how we feel by improving our network of relationships with other people. Read more

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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

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Assertive Communication

Communicating and acting assertively is an interpersonal skill that helps people to maintain healthy relationships, resolve interpersonal conflict, an ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-communication/

Assertive Responses

Being able to communicate assertively is an essential skill for developing and maintaining healthy relationships and positive self-esteem. Individuals ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-responses/

Fair Fighting Rules For Resolving Conflict

Fair fighting is a collection of rules that individuals can use to manage conflict effectively, so that it is ‘fair’ and works towards a resolutio ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fair-fighting-rules-for-resolving-conflict/

Reciprocal CBT Formulation

CBT therapists often describe finding it difficult to apply CBT skills when clients bring relational problems to therapy. Familiar methods of visu ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/reciprocal-cbt-formulation/

Interpersonal Beliefs And Styles

Interpersonal issues and relationship problems form an important part of what clients bring to therapy: they might present as clients’ current conce ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/interpersonal-beliefs-and-styles/

Unforgiveness – The Hook

Everyone experiences hurts and transgressions. When an offence occurs, people often react with anger, fear, or sadness. When these responses persist, ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/unforgiveness-the-hook/

Links to external resources

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Information Handouts

Information (Professional)

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy – the model | Roslyn Law | 2010
  • Curriculum for practitioner training in Interpersonal Psychotherapy | Roslyn Law

Protocols

  • Group IPT for depression manual (WHO) | Lena Verdeli, Kathleen Clougherty, Myrna M Weissman, Mark van Ommeren and Kenneth Carswell | 2016

Presentations

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy for depression | Paul Wilkinson | 2012
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy: Techniques, supervision | Christopher Gale | 2007
  • Implementing Interpersonal Psuchotherapy (IPT) for eating disorders | Rob Welch, Dr Denise Wilfley | 2013

Video

  • What is interpersonal psychotherapy? video
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy – panel discussion youtube.com: part 1, part 2, part 3
  • Demonstration lecture video

Recommended Reading

  • Cuijpers, P., Donker, T., Weissman, M. M., Ravitz, P., & Cristea, I. A. (2016). Interpersonal psychotherapy for mental health problems: a comprehensive meta-analysis.American Journal of Psychiatry,173(7), 680-687.
  • de Mello, M. F., de Jesus Mari, J., Bacaltchuk, J., Verdeli, H., & Neugebauer, R. (2005). A systematic review of research findings on the efficacy of interpersonal therapy for depressive disorders.European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience,255(2), 75-82.
  • Klerman, G. L., & Weissman, M. M. (1994).Interpersonal psychotherapy of depression: A brief, focused, specific strategy. Jason Aronson, Incorporated.
  • Markowitz, J. C., Lipsitz, J., & Milrod, B. L. (2014). Critical review of outcome research on interpersonal psychotherapy for anxiety disorders.Depression and anxiety,31(4), 316-325.

References

  • Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Volume I. Attachment. London: The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations.
  • Henderson, S., Byrne, D. G., & Duncan-Jones, P. (1982). Neurosis and the social environment. Sydney, Australia: Academic Press.
  • Kiesler, D. J. (1996). Contemporary interpersonal theory and research: Personality, psychopathology, and psychotherapy. New York: Wiley.