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Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a short-term psychological (talking) therapy. Its foundations lie in attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969), communication theory (e.g., Kiesler, 1996), and social theory (e.g., Henderson, Byrne, Duncan-Jones, 1982). IPT therapists pay particular attention to their clients’ relationships with other people. The IPT model says that we can change how we feel by improving our network of relationships with other people. Read more
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5 of 5 resources

Assertive Communication

Communicating and acting assertively is an interpersonal skill that helps people to maintain healthy relationships, resolve interpersonal conflict, an ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-communication

Information handouts

Assertive Responses

Being able to communicate assertively is an essential skill for developing and maintaining healthy relationships and positive self-esteem. Individuals ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/assertive-responses

Exercises

Fair Fighting Rules For Resolving Conflict

Fair fighting is a collection of rules that individuals can use to manage conflict effectively, so that it is ‘fair’ and works towards a resolutio ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/fair-fighting-rules-for-resolving-conflict

Information handouts

Interpersonal Beliefs And Styles

Interpersonal issues and relationship problems form an important part of what clients bring to therapy: they might present as clients’ current conce ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/interpersonal-beliefs-and-styles

Worksheets

Reciprocal CBT Formulation

CBT therapists often describe finding it difficult to apply CBT skills when clients bring relational problems to therapy. Familiar methods of visu ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/reciprocal-cbt-formulation

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Presentations

  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy for depression | Paul Wilkinson | 2012 download  archived copy
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy: Techniques, supervision | Christopher Gale | 2007 download  archived copy
  • Implementing Interpersonal Psuchotherapy (IPT) for eating disorders | Rob Welch, Dr Denise Wilfley | 2013 download archived copy

Video

  • What is interpersonal psychotherapy?  video
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy – panel discussion  youtube.com: part 1, part 2, part 3
  • Demonstration lecture  video

Recommended Reading

  • Cuijpers, P., Donker, T., Weissman, M. M., Ravitz, P., & Cristea, I. A. (2016). Interpersonal psychotherapy for mental health problems: a comprehensive meta-analysis. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(7), 680-687.  download
  • de Mello, M. F., de Jesus Mari, J., Bacaltchuk, J., Verdeli, H., & Neugebauer, R. (2005). A systematic review of research findings on the efficacy of interpersonal therapy for depressive disorders. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience255(2), 75-82.  download
  • Klerman, G. L., & Weissman, M. M. (1994). Interpersonal psychotherapy of depression: A brief, focused, specific strategy. Jason Aronson, Incorporated.
  • Markowitz, J. C., Lipsitz, J., & Milrod, B. L. (2014). Critical review of outcome research on interpersonal psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. Depression and anxiety31(4), 316-325.  download

References

  • Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Volume I. Attachment. London: The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations.
  • Henderson, S., Byrne, D. G., & Duncan-Jones, P. (1982). Neurosis and the social environment. Sydney, Australia: Academic Press.
  • Kiesler, D. J. (1996). Contemporary interpersonal theory and research: Personality, psychopathology, and psychotherapy. New York: Wiley.