Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a brief, evidence-based psychotherapy that was originally developed in the 1970s as a treatment for depression (Klerman, Weissman, Rounsaville, & Chevron, 1984). It is now used to treat a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders (Gallagher & Lee, 2016). IPT focuses on understanding how interpersonal relationships and communication styles may contribute to or alleviate symptoms of mental health issues (Klerman et al., 1984). This article will provide an overview of IPT, its theoretical basis, and its evidence for efficacy.
IPT is based on the idea that interpersonal relationships can influence our mental health and well-being (Klerman et al., 1984). It focuses on helping individuals understand how their interpersonal relationships and communication styles might be contributing to their mental health concerns (Gallagher & Lee, 2016). IPT therapists help individuals identify and modify problematic patterns in their relationships, such as ineffective communication styles or difficulty expressing feelings (Klerman et al., 1984). IPT also emphasizes building and maintaining supportive relationships with others, which can help reduce symptoms of mental health issues (Gallagher & Lee, 2016).
IPT has been studied extensively and evidence suggests it is an effective treatment for a variety of mental health issues. Numerous studies have shown that IPT is effective in treating depression, with a meta-analysis of 81 randomized controlled trials finding it to be superior to placebo or other psychotherapies (Cuijpers et al., 2008). Additionally, a systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials found that IPT was effective in treating anxiety (Holloway, Taylor, & Bergink, 2016). Finally, IPT has been found to be effective in treating substance use disorders, with a meta-analysis of 33 randomized controlled trials finding it to be superior to placebo or other psychotherapies (Khan, 2013).
Overall, IPT is an evidence-based psychotherapy that has been found to be effective in treating a variety of mental health issues. It focuses on understanding how interpersonal relationships and communication styles may contribute to or alleviate symptoms of mental health issues. By helping individuals identify and modify problematic patterns in their relationships, IPT can help reduce symptoms of mental health issues and improve overall well-being.
References
Cuijpers, P., van Straten, A., Andersson, G., van Oppen, P., & Reynolds, C. (2008). Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression: A meta-analysis. American Journal of Psychiatry, 165(12), 1444–1449.
Gallagher, R.W., & Lee, S.S. (2016). Interpersonal psychotherapy. In M. Hersen & S. M. Turner (Eds.), Handbook of clinical psychology: Volume 1: Adults (pp. 372–390). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Holloway, K., Taylor, S. E., & Bergink, V. (2016). Interpersonal psychotherapy for anxiety disorders: A systematic review. British Journal of Psychiatry, 208(5), 412–418.
Khan, A.M. (2013). Interpersonal psychotherapy for substance use disorders: A systematic review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 45(5), 515–524.
Klerman, G.L., Weissman, M.M., Rounsaville, B.J., & Chevron, E.S. (1984). Interpersonal psychotherapy of depression. New York, NY: Basic Books.