Origins and description of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

Interpersonal Psychotherapy was developed in the years 1969-84, specifically at that time, for the treatment of depression (later called Major Depression). Today, its indications have been extended to numerous other clinical syndromes and situations. This article describes the empirical basis on which IPT was developed until it evolved to its current format. A description of the phases of treatment is presented and the four problem areas commonly encountered in IPT are more explicitly detailed. Several techniques utilized in the course of this treatment are enumerated and the strategy underlying their usage is explained. IPT is an evidence-based psychotherapy and a clarification is made about its specificity, compared to other commonly used forms of psychotherapy.