Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

IPT focuses almost exclusively, on interpersonal relationships; such as managing disputes with others, grief and loss, isolation, work and home relationships, and personality.

Interpersonal therapy is also like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in that it actively aims to solve problems, is short-term rather than long-term, is focused on certain issues and is based in the present rather than the past.

There is a very strong focus on improving the sufferer's interpersonal functioning (ie. how they relate to, and interact with, other important individuals in their lives).

Any problems that are identified, including troubling behaviours and attitudes, are explored in the context of, and in terms of interpersonal relations.

IPT does not necessarily aim to solve every problem in a depressed person's life or does aim to change everything about them and their personality.

The goals of interpersonal psychotherapy are not dissimilar to other psychological therapies and are very much the same as CBT in that it aims to reduce the troubling symptoms of depression.

People who have completed a course of IPT typically report feeling significantly happier and more satisfied with and in their relationships.  As a result, they often report improvements in other areas of their lives.

IPT is one of the few treatments for depression, along with CBT, that has been proven to be more effective than placebo counselling and at least as effective as antidepressant medications.

References:

Australian Psychological Society 

Australian National University

Black Dog Institute

International Society for Interpersonal Psychotherapy