Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Interpersonal therapy, or IPT, is a short-term, focused treatment for mood disorders, such as depression. Rooted in attachment and communication theories, IPT is designed to help people address current concerns and improve interpersonal relationships. IPT is based on the principle that relationships and life events impact mood and that the reverse is also true. Treatment follows a highly structured and time-limited approach and seldom lasts longer than 16 weeks. The goal of IPT is to rapidly reduce symptoms. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s interpersonal therapy specialists today.

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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and addressing specific issues that may be contributing to emotional distress. IPT is based on the idea that the quality of our relationships and how we interact with others can significantly impact our mental and emotional well-being.

— Carole Goguen, Psy.D., Psychologist in Altadena, CA

IPT is a time-limited, focused, evidence-based approach to treat mood disorders and relationship difficulties. The main goal of IPT is to improve the quality of a client's interpersonal relationships and social functioning to help reduce their distress. IPT provides strategies to resolve problems within four key areas including social difficulties, grief/loss, role transitions, and conflict/disputes in relationships.

— Dr. Kathryn Williams, Psychologist in Los Angeles, CA
 

Interpersonal Psychotherapy aims to target struggles with role transitions, interpersonal deficits/disputes, and unresolved grief for a reduction in symptom distress. It is a recommended treatment for mood disorders (i.e. depression, bipolar disorder, etc.), anxiety, and eating disorders.

— Shavonne James, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Long Beach, CA

Interpersonal Therapy is like wound care for our sense of self and way of being in the world. We look at the scars which may be restricting range of movement in your self-concept and relationships. We then explore the protective layers, and uncover the original hurts that lead to the core wounding. Through a safe, non-judgmental stance, we connect how the layers and wounding tend to play out in the world, and in the relationship with the therapist. From here, we develop more adaptive flexibility

— Kara London, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Tustin, CA
 

I'm passionate about destigmatizing mental health and take a holistic, integrated, and individualized approach to treatment. I provide a safe welcoming environment free of judgment to all. I'm excited to collaborate with you to create a treatment plan that improves your quality of life and moves you toward your goals.

— Marco Rudas-Garcia, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Clackamas, OR

IPT is a short-term psychotherapy in which therapist and client identify the issues and problems of interpersonal relationships. They also explore the client's life history to help recognize problem areas and then work toward ways to rectify them.

— Dr. Sonia Dhaliwal, Psychologist in Las Vegas, NV
 

Interpersonal therapy offers a helpful way of naming and addressing dynamics that can develop in any relationship. Issues related to grief, social roles, and identity can be understood and addressed using this approach.

— Phil Small, Psychologist in Portland, OR

I believe one of the most important things is human connection and when we don’t feel connected it can create feelings of distress. With Interpersonal Therapy, we’ll work to improve your relationships for a happier, healthier life.

— Dr. Katarina Ament, Clinical Psychologist in Denver, CO
 

I incorporate Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) into my approach because I believe that our relationships and the way we communicate with others play a crucial role in our emotional health. My work with clients often involves exploring the impact of interpersonal dynamics on their mental state, particularly in cases of depression and anxiety. IPT allows me to help clients improve their communication, resolve conflicts, and build stronger, healthier relationships.

— BEAU SAMONTE, Post-Doctoral Fellow in Short Hills, NJ

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is derived from psychodynamic therapy and focuses on reducing negative symptoms associated with relationships (e.g., family, friends, romantic). Because my specialized interests involve relating to others, I find this approach to be beneficial in understanding stress and traumatic responses within relationships due to feeling ineffective. I do not adhere to the manualized treatment method, but I do draw from beneficial methods utilized within IPT.

— Leigha Ward, Clinical Psychologist in West Lake Hills, TX
 

Since our main focus in therapy at Khan Counseling is building a strong therapeutic connection and trusting relationship within the therapy room, we often utilize IPT techniques to help with relationships outside of the therapy room. These can include the idea(s) psychological symptoms can be understood as a response to current difficulties in everyday relationships with other people, like setting boundaries or improving communication.

— Khan Counseling Psychotherapy, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Newport Beach, CA

IPNB emphasizes the profound impact that our relationships and social connections have on our mental health and neural functioning. IPNB-informed therapy helps clients develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthy relationship skills. By understanding how past experiences and current relationships impact our neural networks, we can heal from past wounds and build stronger, more fulfilling connections.

— Dr. Gina Innocente, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Somers Point, NJ
 

I have received supervision from IPT-trained therapists during my training. IPT suggests that we learn cyclical patterns from our early relationships; that is, how we relate to ourselves, how we relate to others, and strategies for how to "get" people to love and care for us. We internalize these and they become our "truth" for navigating our feelings about ourselves and our relationships. In IPT, we focus on the relationship we build in therapy to help us understand (and change) those patterns.

— Katy Shaffer, Psychologist in Baltimore, MD

I was trained in Intepersonal Therapy for depression. I find it valuable in exploring the relationship between one's mood and its impact on one's relationship with others and vice versa.

— Ileana Hahambis, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in ,
 

I work primarily from theoretical perspectives that emphasize the authentic relationships, individual strengths, and the potential for growth. Interpersonal theories direct my attention to my client’s current and past relational dynamics as I strongly believe that human beings are primarily motivated by the need to establish and maintain relationships.

— Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy, Psychologist in Atlanta, GA