Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Abstract

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is an empirically validated treatment for affective, anxiety, and eating disorders. IPT rests on attachment theory and posits that individuals become distressed when they have interpersonal problems, conceptualized in IPT as transitions, interpersonal disputes, or grief and loss issues. IPT is short term, with a typical dosing range of six to 20 sessions followed by maintenance treatment to reduce the risk of relapse. Dissemination of IPT has greatly increased over the last decade, with several large-scale efforts in public health settings in the United States and abroad. We review the basics of IPT for depression and anxiety. We also describe its application to groups and adolescents. Recently developed clinical tools that have enhanced the delivery of IPT and have increased fidelity are described. Opportunities for training in IPT are also reviewed. This review contains 10 figures, 1 table, and 71 references. Key words: adolescents, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, group therapy, interpersonal inventory, interpersonal psychotherapy, interpersonal summary, maintenance psychotherapy, posttraumatic stress disorder