Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is structured, short-term, and focused on how your relationships and social life impact your depression and vice versa.

It’s not about digging endlessly into the past or analyzing every thought. It’s practical, targeted, and evidence-based.

The core idea of IPT

Depression doesn’t exist in a vacuum because it often shows up or worsens when there’s stress in your relationships, a loss, or a major life change.

IPT aims to improve those areas to help relieve depressive symptoms.

The 4 focus areas in IPT

You’ll typically work on one or two of these, depending on your situation:

1. Grief

• • Complicated or unresolved grief after losing someone important.
  • Helps process the loss and adjust to life without that person.

2. Role transitions
   
   

• • Life changes like divorce, becoming a parent, job loss, and retirement.
  • The emphasis lies in helping you adjust to new roles and manage the stress that comes with them.

3. Interpersonal disputes

• • Ongoing conflicts with a partner, family, friends, or co-workers.
  • Therapy aids in improving communication, setting boundaries, or deciding how to handle the situation.

4. Interpersonal deficits

• • Struggles with forming or maintaining relationships.
  • Often tied to chronic loneliness or social withdrawal.
  • The goal is to build social confidence and connections.

The Structure of IPT

1. Initial phase (sessions 1–3)

• • Get a clear diagnosis.
  • Name your central interpersonal problem areas.
  • Build a treatment focus and goals.

2. Middle phase (sessions 4–9)

• • Actively work on the focus area.
  • Learn and practice new ways of relating to others.
  • Explore feelings but stay grounded in current life situations.

3. Termination phase (sessions 10–12 or beyond)

• • Review progress.
  • Plan for the future.
  • Learn how to spot signs of relapse and what to do if it happens.

What you’ll do in sessions

• Talk about real-life events and relationships, not abstract theories.
• Practice communication strategies, such as assertiveness and clarifying misunderstandings.
• You might do role plays or reflect on past conversations.
• You’ll occasionally get homework to observe or try new interactions.