Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a type of talking therapy that looks at how our mood can impact our relationships. If you are feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed, IPT can help you to understand and improve the way that you connect with others. IPT can be an effective way to treat both low mood and depression.

What does IPT focus around?

IPT typically focuses on the following areas:

  • Conflict with another person
  • Life changes that affect how you feel about yourself and others
  • Grief and loss
  • Difficulty in starting or keeping relationships going

What are the benefits of IPT?

Many scientific studies have demonstrated the benefits of IPT in the treatment of depression. By helping you to understand how the difficulties in your relationships may have contributed to your symptoms, you can make positive changes to improve your mood and overcome these challenges.

What does IPT involve?

IPT is a time-limited programme. It is usually offered for 16 sessions, but some people only require 8-12.

Initial assessment

In the early sessions of IPT, you'll spend time talking with your therapist about your symptoms, the important relationships in your life and their connection to your depression. 
Once you and your therapist have a clearer idea of the relationship difficulties that connect to your symptoms, you can agree on the focus areas for your therapy. Your therapist will also invite you to think about what you want to achieve from the therapy and help you to identify goals that are realistic. 

Middle stage (working phase)

At this point in your therapy, you'll discuss your agreed focus area and begin looking at how you can make positive changes. Common tasks during these sessions include monitoring current relationship triggers for depression, working to improve communication and discussing your emotional reactions when faced with relationship problems.

Finishing your therapy

Some people find that ending their therapy is difficult. At the end of your programme, you and your therapist will discuss how you feel about therapy ending and the progress you have made during the treatment.  You should also spend some time planning for any problems you anticipate coming up in the future and how to use your new skills in response.

Is IPT right for me?

If you're struggling with low mood, anxiety or relationship stress, IPT could help you feel more connected and supported. You don't need to have all the answers - just a willingness to talk and explore what's going on in your life.

How can I access IPT through TALKWORKS?

In order to access IPT, you should make a self-referral to our service so that we can book in for an assessment with one of our therapists, so that we can see if IPT is the best-placed treatment for your difficulties.