Interpersonal Psychotherapy

What is Interpersonal Psychotherapy?

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is an effective and short-term therapy that focuses on the relationships you have with others. This therapy helps you better understand how your interactions with others influence your emotions and thoughts. The goal is to break negative patterns in relationships and improve your social skills, so you can feel better and cope more effectively with difficult situations in your life.

How does Interpersonal Psychotherapy work?

Interpersonal psychotherapy is based on the idea that your mental health is strongly connected to your relationships. For example, if you experience many conflicts in your relationships, struggle with communication, or feel lonely, it can affect your emotional state.

In IPT, you work together with a therapist to improve these relationships. You explore the different social roles you have (such as partner, parent, friend, colleague) and how they influence your emotions and behavior. The therapy not only focuses on solving problems in your relationships but also on improving your communication skills, so you can express yourself better and understand others more clearly.

What are the main goals of IPT?

Improving interpersonal relationships: Learning to recognize and address conflicts, misunderstandings, or unmet needs in your relationships with others.
Strengthening social support: Developing healthier, more supportive relationships that can help you cope better with stress and difficult times.
Processing loss: If you’ve experienced a loss (such as a loved one, a relationship, or a significant life change), IPT helps you process and cope with this loss.
Boosting self-confidence: Increasing your self-awareness and ability to set healthy boundaries in your relationships, giving you more control over your life.

Why is Interpersonal Psychotherapy effective?

IPT has been proven effective for various psychological issues, such as:

Depression: It helps address social and emotional issues that can worsen depressive feelings.
Anxiety disorders: It helps you better cope with stressful or conflict-ridden social situations.
Grief processing: IPT supports you in processing loss and adjusting to changes in your life.

The advantage of IPT is that it is a relatively short and practical therapy that not only helps you understand your problems but also provides concrete tools to address them.

What can you expect during IPT?

During therapy sessions, you work with your therapist to explore your interpersonal issues and social roles. You will map out themes such as conflicts, loss, or changes in your life, and work together with your therapist on solutions and improvements. The therapy is structured, which means that you work on specific goals throughout several sessions.

You will learn how to communicate more effectively, resolve conflicts, and express yourself better in your relationships. All of this takes place in a safe and supportive environment, where you have the space to express your feelings and gain insight into your own behavior.