Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a therapeutic approach that encourages clients to regain control of their mood. Generally short-term (12-16 weeks), IPT has a goal of rapid symptom reduction, concentrating on interpersonal issues and focusing on the way symptoms are related to a person’s relationships. IPT does not address personality issues and instead centers around tackling identifiable problems in how an individual relates to and interacts with others. While interpersonal therapy is primarily used in treating depression, it has been successfully adopted to treat conditions ranging from substance abuse to eating disorders. IPT works intensely on deep-rooted interpersonal issues. It works on the principal that psychological issues such as depression are often stem from issues we have with interacting with others. In turn these psychological issues can further diminish the quality of interpersonal therapy causing a negative-feedback cycle. The principal behind IPT is to enable individuals to interact more effectively and in turn more effectively manage and diminish any related psychological symptoms.
What Interpersonal psychotherapy can help you with including depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder
Interpersonal psychotherapy founded as a brief therapy for depression due to the fact that individuals with depressive symptoms often experience difficulties in their interpersonal relationships. IPT is a common treatment option for individuals experiencing depression. Depression may not be always be caused by negative relationships. Instead relationship issues are often common and early symptoms of the onset of depression. Working with IPT to strengthen relationships helps to build and maintain crucial social and emotional support for individuals suffering from depression.
In general, interpersonal therapists provide active, non-judgmental treatment as a way of assisting the individual successfully cope with challenges and improve mental health. Issues which commonly need to be handled during IPT treatment may include roles disputes, interpersonal shortcomings, life stage transitions, relational conflict, grief, and other attachment issues. IPT is well researched as an effective treatment for depression and has been modified to treat several other mental health issues which include Anxiety, Disordered eating, Substance abuse issues, Bipolar, Postpartum depression, Social phobia and Post-traumatic stress.
