Interpersonal Psychotherapy

What Is Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)?

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited, evidence-based treatment that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and social functioning to help reduce symptoms of depression and other mental health conditions. Originally developed at Yale University, IPT is grounded in the idea that our emotional well-being is deeply connected to the quality of our relationships.

At Hazelden Betty Ford, IPT is used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma and substance use disorders. By addressing interpersonal issues that often underlie emotional distress, IPT helps patients build healthier connections and lasting recovery.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Schedule a confidential consultation or call 1-888-482-0207 to speak with a mental health specialist.

The Origins and Evolution of IPT

IPT was first developed in the 1970s as a structured, short-term therapy for major depressive disorder. Since then, it has been adapted and validated for a wide range of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The therapy is rooted in attachment theory and social psychology, emphasizing the importance of secure, supportive relationships in emotional healing. Over the years, IPT has become a widely accepted treatment modality in both individual and group therapy settings.

Explore more therapies we offer:

Learn about motivational interviewing (MI) and how it complements IPT in integrated care.

How Interpersonal Psychotherapy Works

IPT typically unfolds over 12 to 16 sessions and focuses on one or more of four key interpersonal problem areas:

• Grief and loss: Addressing unresolved grief from the death of a loved one or other significant losses.
• Role transitions: Navigating major life changes such as divorce, retirement or becoming a parent.
• Interpersonal disputes: Resolving conflicts in relationships with partners, family members or coworkers.
• Interpersonal deficits: Improving social skills and building new relationships when isolation or detachment is present.

Therapists work collaboratively with patients to identify which of these areas is most relevant and develop strategies to improve communication, express emotions more effectively and strengthen support systems.

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What Is the Focus of Interpersonal Psychotherapy?

The idea is that our emotional problems are linked in one way or another to our interpersonal patterns. Healing happens when we gain awareness of those patterns, identify which ones are serving us and which ones are not, and build new, more effective ways of relating to ourselves and others.

How Does IPT Work?

The approach begins by assessing a patient's past and present relationships, paying special attention to attachment patterns and early learned behavior about how to relate to others. The therapist works with the patient to help them gain insight about these patterns, which were at one time adaptive to the environment and even necessary for emotional safety, but have now become ingrained, inflexible patterns that are contributing to current problems like anxiety, depression, addiction and other forms of emotional distress. Through a variety of methods the therapist then helps the patient experience a corrective emotional experience in the therapeutic relationship with the hope of transferring newly learned interpersonal patterns to other relationships outside of therapy.

What Are the Goals of Interpersonal Therapy?

Interpersonal therapy fosters personal growth as well as symptom relief for emotional difficulties. According to the theory, patients can make behavior changes to alleviate mental health symptoms and increase confidence to manage emotional problems when they can both gain insight about how their early learning in family of origin relationships translates to present-day relationship patterns and learn and practice new, more adaptive ways of connecting. For example, a therapist might ask a patient to reevaluate expectations, negotiate conflicts, adapt to new circumstances and/or make use of social support.

Who Can Benefit from IPT?

Most patients can benefit from the approach of working collaboratively to resolve/manage/negotiate their problems and activate change mechanisms. Individuals with severe and persistent mental illness may need a more structured, skills-based approach, though, before focusing on interpersonal work.

What Disorders Can Be Treated by Interpersonal Therapy?

Almost all mental health disorders can be treated by interpersonal therapy. It is not, however, the best approach for those in active psychosis.

How Is IPT Specifically Used in Addiction Treatment?

Substance use disorders have biopsychosocial aspects. IPT can help patients address the psychological and sociological aspects of the disease, including attachment and relational factors that can contribute to the development and maintenance of the disease. This helps patients better understand why relational patterns need to be changed for successful recovery.

How Many Sessions Are Typically Required for IPT to Be Effective?

There are brief intervention models that require as few as three sessions, but the full comprehensive approach is designed to be more long term—anywhere from six months to a year.

How Does IPT Work alongside Motivational Interviewing?

A collaborative relationship between therapist and patient are goals shared by motivational interviewing (MI) and interpersonal psychotherapy. With MI, therapists work with ambivalent patients to see how conflicting goals prevent them from living their best lives. Through adopting a supportive, respectful, non-confrontational approach, the therapist can help the individual find the motivation to change their behavior. According to both theories, patients have good reasons for not wanting to change. Providing validation and empathy for those reasons is a critical step in helping patients reduce shame and increase their willingness to want to change.

What Are Popular Techniques Used in this Form of Therapy?

Interpersonal therapy places a strong emphasis on building a trusting, emotionally safe and authentically connected therapeutic relationship. Active listening, empathy, validation, an egalitarian approach and selective self-disclosure help to foster a corrective emotional experience in the relationship. There is also an emphasis on techniques that help the patient connect with present moment and inner experience, while paying particular attention to emotions.

What Are the Main Categories of IPT?

Feelings of depression can follow major changes in life. Techniques were developed to manage four categories: unresolved grief, role transitions (life changes that require new roles—divorce, disease diagnosis, job change), interpersonal role disputes (often stemming from differing role expectations); and interpersonal deficits (inadequate or unsupportive interpersonal relationships, the absence of a fulfilling relationship or a major life event).

What Topics Might the Therapist Address?

Therapists often ask about family, social and relational history. They may "check in" frequently with what the patient is thinking/feeling/remembering in the immediate moment of the session. If the patient brings forward indications of some sort of conflict or reaction to what the therapist is doing in session, the therapist will often focus on this as an opportunity to practice healthy communication and attachment in the here-and-now of the session.

What Are Some Ways to Incorporate IPT Principles into Everyday Life?

One of the goals of interpersonal work is to help patients translate what they are learning in therapy to their relationships. It usually helps a patient to acknowledge mixed feelings and experiment with new ways of relating to loved ones—always in a collaborative manner and when the patient feels ready.

IPT is one of many therapies offered at Hazelden Betty Ford's treatment centers.

Is Interpersonal Psychotherapy Right for You?

If you're navigating emotional challenges, relationship stress or big life transitions, IPT may offer the clarity and support you need. At Hazelden Betty Ford, our licensed clinicians tailor IPT to your unique needs—helping you build stronger connections and lasting emotional resilience.

Take the Next Step toward Healing.

Schedule a confidential consultation or call 1-888-482-0207 speak with a mental health specialist today.