Interpersonal therapy (IPT) for Depression

Overview
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is one type of psychotherapy. A therapist may use only IPT techniques, or IPT in combination with other types of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy may be used to treat depression on its own or in combination with antidepressant medications.

What does it involve?
IPT is a type of talk therapy. IPT sessions involve interacting with a mental health professional trained and licensed trained in using IPT techniques. IPT focuses on identifying and improving patterns in interpersonal relationships. During IPT, the therapist allies with the depressed person to help them navigate painful interpersonal transitions. IPT is a brief form of psychotherapy. IPT sessions are commonly scheduled once a week for 12 to 16 weeks.

Intended Outcomes
The goal of psychotherapy is to treat the psychological causes of depression. Therapy can help depressed people deal with grief or losses, find better ways to handle relationship conflicts, and resolve difficulties surrounding life transitions.

Results
Psychotherapy is often the first treatment recommended for those who have depression. IPT is one type of therapy that has been found effective in treating some people with depression.

Constraints
Fatigue or other symptoms of depression may make it difficult to make and keep therapy appointments.

While some health insurance plans cover therapy, coverage may be limited. Therapy can be expensive if you are paying privately.

Depending on where you live, it may be difficult to travel to therapy appointments.

For more information on this treatment, visit:
Psychotherapy for Depression – Cleveland Clinic
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_c...

Depression – American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org/topics/depress/recover.aspx

Interpersonal psychotherapy: principles and applications – World Psychiatry
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC141...