Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited psychotherapeutic modality that supports those struggling with mental health conditions and life challenges. Interpersonal psychotherapy is often used to improve the quality of relationships with others and help clients improve their social connections, namely for the treatment of depression. The term "interpersonal" describes how individuals connect themselves with social environments and their close relationships, meaning interpersonal psychotherapy takes a psychotherapeutic approach to understanding how individuals connect socially.

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for depression, eating disorders, and other conditions

Interpersonal counseling is mostly used to treat mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder. It is one of the most widely utilized forms of psychotherapy for depression, alongside modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy.

That said, IPT can also be used to help address anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and personality disorders. This form of psychotherapy treats individual symptoms by teaching the client interpersonal skills, including social and intimate relationship skills. Interpersonal counseling may also address grief, isolation from others, unsettling transitions in life, and stress. 

The three phases of interpersonal psychotherapy treatment

IPT treatment is usually done in three phases. These include the following. 

Phase one

Phase one of interpersonal psychotherapy often involves the assessment of relationship patterns, past traumatic experiences, recurring themes in interactions with others, and the existence of depressive symptoms. Often, the first one to three sessions are used for the psychotherapist to develop a concrete gathering of the client's history to develop a treatment plan. 

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

Phase two

Phase two of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) may involve implementing solutions for various challenges discovered in the previous phase. Much like in behavioral psychotherapy, the nature of the suggested treatment solutions may be based on the client, their history, and their current struggles. For example, IPT for someone living with an eating disorder may look different than for someone experiencing major depression or bipolar disorder. Each solution is often designed to help the client achieve an improved quality of life and ability to function in social settings while maintaining healthy relationships with others. 

When going through phase two, clients may benefit from understanding that solutions can take time and that learning a new skill may require practice. In addition, the interpersonal psychotherapist's solutions may not be comfortable or easy. Clients can notice improvements and progress in their treatment by doing the work. Improving the quality of one's interpersonal relationships is not necessarily straightforward but can lead to long-term results.

Phase three

By phase three, clients undergoing interpersonal psychotherapy may be more comfortable than during phases one and two. The results might start to manifest at this point in the treatment process, offering a sense of confidence to the client and showing them that they are making strides in their goals for psychotherapy.  

What are the qualities of an effective interpersonal psychotherapist?

Interpersonal psychotherapy can be effective for many clients. However, the qualities of the provider may impact a client's experiences with the treatment. Below are several attributes that may be valuable to have in a provider. 

The ability to identify challenges 

Taking note of existing interpersonal challenges is the foundation of interpersonal psychotherapy. Being able to ask direct questions, understand relationship patterns, and help clients divulge information can be advantageous qualities for an interpersonal psychotherapist. In addition, after challenges are identified, the psychotherapist may help the client rank them from the highest priority to the lowest. Ranking allows the specialist to determine what skills and techniques to try first. 

The ability to understand communication styles 

When interpersonal psychotherapists work with a client, they often observe how the client communicates with them and may ask questions about their communication with partners, friends, and family. Communication styles can help the psychotherapist tailor their strategies so the client can understand and relate to them. In addition, communication can be essential to many relationships, so learning new communication techniques can help clients improve relationships. 

Active listening skills 

The ability to actively listen can be an essential skill for any psychotherapist. If the psychotherapist listens to the client to respond and offer their insight without hearing what the client is saying or needs from them, they may miss out on nonverbal cues, core topics, or a client's desire to be validated. Clients may not only talk to a psychotherapist to get advice but also to be heard and understood. A psychotherapist using validating language like "I hear you" and "that must have been so difficult" can be relieving for many clients. Solutions can also be an aspect of psychotherapy but may not be the only aspect. 

How can interpersonal therapy support you during hardships? 

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) can help during challenging life transitions

Interpersonal psychotherapy can help clients experiencing challenging life transitions, including divorce, the loss of a loved one, loss of employment, or family planning. Individuals undergoing these transitions may not require extensive or long-term treatment. However, interpersonal counseling can address how their relationship patterns, communication, and connections relate to these transitions and the techniques to cope with them.

IPT can help with conflicts within interpersonal relationships

Psychotherapists specializing in interpersonal psychotherapy often assist clients in a conflict between them and another individual or social group. Conflict can occur for many reasons, whether due to misunderstandings, unresolved challenges, mismatching communication or love styles, or growing apart from one another. These psychotherapists take an individual approach to help clients understand their role in their relationship conflicts and how to set boundaries, de-escalate conflict, and keep themselves safe.

IPT may help with lack of fulfillment in existing interpersonal relationships

Interpersonal psychotherapists can play a role in helping individuals that believe they are trapped in unfulfilling relationships. When this issue is present, it may indicate that the person's needs in the relationship are not being met. Perhaps they think they are overlooked, unappreciated, or uncared for. There may also be situations where the relationship is unhealthy, and getting out of it is the healthiest solution. 

In some situations, an individual's self-esteem, personal beliefs, or cognitive distortions may keep them in a relationship when they no longer love the person or want to stay. While such challenges are often addressed by cognitive behavioral therapists, there are many ways that an interpersonal psychotherapist can help these individuals make healthier choices and create more nourishing connections. 

Interpersonal therapy can treat symptoms of depression, eating disorders, and other challenges

Psychotherapy options 

Interpersonal psychotherapy is a niche type of counseling that allows clients to delve into their interpersonal connections with psychotherapeutic intervention. You can find an interpersonal psychotherapist by searching online or contacting your primary care physician for a referral. Many online psychologist directories list psychotherapists by specialty, as well. 

Online therapy to improve mental health

If you struggle to find this type of specialist in person near you, you may benefit from trying online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp. With online interpersonal counseling, you can attend phone, video, or in-app messaging sessions from home. In addition, online platforms can be significantly more cost-effective than in-person psychotherapy.

What the research says about online therapy for depression and other mental health challenges

Studies suggest that online IPT can be as effective as in-person psychotherapy. For example, one study indicates that the participants of an e-IPT intervention reported reduced symptoms of depressive and anxiety disorders after partaking in the full treatment plan. In addition, the American Psychological Association endorses telehealth therapy as a practical option for many Americans.