Interpersonal Therapy What Is It?

Interpersonal therapy focuses on social roles and relationships. The patient works with a therapist to evaluate specific problem areas in the patient’s life, such as conflicts with family or friends or significant life changes. While past experiences help inform the process, interpersonal therapy focuses on improving relationships in the present.
Interpersonal therapy is typically short-term (lasting two to four months or until symptoms subside), though it can continue up to two to three years depending on the patient’s needs. Interpersonal therapy focuses on four basic problem areas:

• Role disputes
• Role transitions
• Unresolved grief
• Interpersonal deficits

The goals of interpersonal therapy include identifying problems, expressing emotions in healthy ways and learning skills to improve current relationships.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF INTERPERSONAL THERAPY?
Interpersonal therapy is unique in that it focuses on one or two specific problem areas and is designed to bring about a rapid reduction in symptoms. Other benefits include:

• Improved relationships
• Skills for coping in healthier ways
• Enhanced problem-solving and communication skills
• Ability to process grief or loss in a safe environment
• Reduction of self-destructive or hostile behaviors

WHAT CONDITIONS/DISORDERS DOES INTERPERSONAL THERAPY TREAT?
Research supports interpersonal therapy as a tool to treat depression. It has also been adapted to treat other disorders, including:

• Drug or alcohol addiction
• Eating disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Dysthymia