Dirty Dozen on Interpersonal Psychotherapy in WordPress Shortcode

Dirty Dozen on Interpersonal Psychotherapy by Jim Amos, MD

Definition of IPT

–Time-limited, dynamically informed therapy.

–Goals are to relieve symptoms and improve interpersonal functioning and social support.

–Focuses specifically on interpersonal relationships to bring about change.

Applications for IPT

–Major Depression

–Postpartum and peripartum Depression

–Dysthymia

Essential Characteristics of IPT

–Focuses specifically on interpersonal relationships as a point of intervention.

–Time-limited when used as an acute treatment (12-16 sessions).

–Interventions used do not directly address the transference relationship.

Premises of IPT

–Interpersonal distress closely associated with psychological symptoms.

–Helping people improve communications in relationships or change their expectations about those relationships relieves symptoms.

–Helping people build or improve social support network improves ability to cope with crises that precipitated distress.

IPT Contrasted with CBT & Psychoanalytic Approaches

–CBT focus is on cognitions.

–Psychoanalytic focus is on understanding contributions of early life experiences.

–IPT focus is on improving interpersonal communications in the present.

Theoretical Framework of IPT

–Attachment Theory

–People are driven instinctively to form attachments to get and give care.

–Hallmark of good mental health is ability to form flexible attachments.

Theoretical Framework of IPT cont.

–Communication Theory

–Securely attached persons able to communicate needs effectively.

–Insecurely attached persons communicate in an indirect, ambivalent way that may elicit neutrality or hostility.

Problem Areas of Focus for IPT; Conducting IPT

–Grief

–Interpersonal Disputes

–Role Transitions

–More important than technique is the focus on extratherapeutic interpersonal relationships and fostering of productive therapeutic alliance.

Conducting IPT

–Opening Phase: diagnose, frame the treatment, relieve symptoms.

–Middle Phase: develop strategies for problem areas: identify situations which elicit feelings, validate feelings, explore and role play options, summarize sessions.

–Conclusion and Maintenance Phases: reinforce independence.

Conducting IPT cont.

–Communication Analysis and Interpersonal Incidents (accurately describe in detail).

–Use of both content and process affect (what happened outside and inside).

–Observe transference but don’t comment on or interpret it.

IPT References and Links

–Core Competencies in Psychotherapy. The Art and Science of Brief Psychotherapies: A Practitioner’s Guide, eds. Dewan, Steenberg, Greenberg. APPI 2004

–Stuart, S. (2012). “Interpersonal psychotherapy for postpartum depression.” Clin Psychol Psychother 19(2): 134-140.

–Interpersonal Psychotherapy Institute