Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

IPT focuses on relationships, communication, and life transitions. An effective, structured therapy for depression and interpersonal difficulties.

When Relationships Affect Mental Health

Our connections with others shape how we feel. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) takes this as its starting point, focusing specifically on the link between your relationships and your emotional wellbeing.

The IPT Approach

IPT was originally developed for depression but has since been adapted for other difficulties. It’s based on a straightforward observation: mental health problems often occur in an interpersonal context - relationship difficulties, losses, life transitions, or conflicts with others.

Rather than focusing on internal thoughts or past history, IPT addresses what’s happening in your relationships right now. By improving communication, resolving conflicts, and adjusting to changes, mood and wellbeing often improve.

Areas IPT Addresses

IPT typically focuses on one or two of these key areas:

Grief and loss: When depression follows the death of someone important, IPT helps process the loss, mourn appropriately, and eventually reinvest in life and relationships.

Role transitions: Major life changes - becoming a parent, retirement, divorce, job loss, illness - require adjustment. IPT helps navigate these transitions, mourning what’s lost while building new identities and connections.

Role disputes: Ongoing conflicts with important people - partners, family members, colleagues - can maintain low mood. IPT helps clarify expectations, improve communication, and work toward resolution.

Interpersonal deficits: For some people, limited or unsatisfying relationships contribute to depression. IPT focuses on building social skills and developing more fulfilling connections.

What to Expect in IPT

IPT is typically short-term - around 12-16 sessions - and structured in three phases:

Initial phase (sessions 1-3): Understanding your symptoms, reviewing your relationships, and identifying which interpersonal issue to focus on.

Middle phase (sessions 4-12): Working on the identified area. This might involve exploring feelings about loss, problem-solving relationship conflicts, developing communication skills, or adjusting to life changes.

Ending phase (final sessions): Reviewing progress, consolidating gains, and preparing to maintain improvements independently.

Sessions focus on recent events and current relationships rather than distant past. There’s no homework in the traditional sense, but you’ll be encouraged to try new ways of communicating and relating between sessions.

How IPT Helps

IPT works by:

Clarifying emotions and linking them to relationship events
Improving how you communicate your needs and feelings
Helping you understand others’ perspectives
Resolving conflicts or accepting relationships that can’t change
Building a stronger support network
Developing confidence in managing relationships

The focus is practical and present-oriented, making it accessible and relatively quick to work through.

Who Benefits from IPT

IPT is particularly suitable for:

Depression linked to relationship difficulties or life changes
Grief that hasn’t resolved naturally
Adjustment to major transitions (new parenthood, divorce, retirement, illness)
Ongoing interpersonal conflicts
Those who prefer a relationship-focused rather than thought-focused approach

If your difficulties seem closely tied to your relationships and social world, IPT may be an excellent fit.