Approaches / Relational and systemic
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
A time-limited approach that links mood difficulties to current relationships and life events.
Overview
Interpersonal psychotherapy is a time-limited approach that focuses on a person's current relationships and life changes. It was developed for depression and has been adapted for other difficulties.
Core ideas
IPT looks at how distress and relationships affect each other. Work is usually organised around one or two focus areas, commonly grief, role disputes, role transitions or interpersonal sensitivities.
What a session can involve
The early sessions review a person's relationships and agree a focus. Later sessions explore specific recent events and try out ways of communicating or coping. A final phase reviews progress and plans ahead.
Formats and settings
IPT is usually individual and short, often around 12 to 16 sessions. Group and adolescent versions exist.
How it relates to other approaches
IPT draws on interpersonal ideas from Harry Stack Sullivan and on attachment theory. It is generally described as separate from both psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy, though it shares features with each.
Limits and open questions
A 2016 review identified 90 randomised trials of IPT for a range of mental health problems. The authors reported benefits compared with control groups in studies of depression, but noted high risk of bias in most trials, small numbers for some comparisons and limited long-term follow-up. Findings for one condition or comparison do not establish what will work for every person.
NICE lists IPT among the options for depression in England and Wales; guidance elsewhere should be checked. Availability varies between services.
History
Gerald Klerman, Myrna Weissman and colleagues developed IPT in the 1970s for research on depression. The practice manual was published in 1984.
Key people
Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman developed IPT.
Sources and inspection notes
NICE, Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222)
Supports: That the guideline lists interpersonal psychotherapy among the options for depression (England and Wales).
Supports: Library catalogue record for authors, title, publisher and 1984 publication; it is not an independent effectiveness assessment.
Supports: Review of 90 randomised trials; describes depression findings and limitations including risk of bias, small numbers in some comparisons and limited long-term data.