Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for depression

The term “interpersonal” refers to the communication between people and the relationships we have with others.

IPT is a therapy used in Talking Therapies services that is proven to treat depression effectively. IPT works primarily by considering the relationship between a person’s current difficulties and the psychological and physical symptoms of depression.

Themes that are covered in this type of therapy include: conflict with another person, life changes that affect how you feel about yourself and other people in your life, grief and loss and difficulty in starting or keeping relationships going.

The central idea in IPT is that psychological symptoms, such as depressed mood, can be understood in response to these interpersonal issues and in turn the depressed mood can also affect the quality of relationships. In summary, depression often causes disruptions or difficulties in a person’s interpersonal functioning and difficulties in a person’s interpersonal functioning can both cause and maintain depression.

The key features of IPT are its focus on identifying how interpersonal relationships or circumstances are related to feelings of depression, exploring emotions, and changing interpersonal responses. It is a structured, time-limited intervention of up to 16 sessions (but can be less) and maintains a focus on resolving current issues. The goal is to change interpersonal patterns rather than directly targeting associated depressive thoughts. IPT addresses both the depressive symptoms, and the specific issues in a person’s interpersonal functioning/connections which are impacting on their mood.

Within NHS North Cumbria Talking Therapies we use IPT as one of the treatment choices for depression.

IPT is currently delivered remotely via video consultation or telephone.