Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) is a form of talk therapy designed to support people living with mood disorders. Its goal is to make symptoms more manageable using consistent biological and social routines.
IPSRT focuses on helping people maintain healthy habits. For example, clients might work on getting better sleep or strengthening their social relationships.
ISPRT is a relatively short form of therapy, typically lasting about 20 sessions. It’s broken down into four main stages, ending with the maintenance stage.
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy [1] (IPSRT) is a treatment for mood disorders. It was created to help people living with bipolar disorder. Today, it’s also used to treat depression and other conditions. IPSRT reflects how biological processes and social connections can affect mental health. In practice, it's like other forms of talk therapy and is an offshoot of interpersonal therapy [2] (IPT).
IPSRT is designed to help people with mood symptoms increase stability. It helps prevent disruptions in routine that can impact a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. IPSRT sees strong, healthy relationships as key to overall well-being. So it also emphasizes the importance of building a strong social network.
If you have a mood disorder, we invite you to explore how this approach might help you maintain your mental health.
How IPSRT works
The idea behind IPSRT is that building consistency can prevent mood disruptions. It focuses on two main components: establishing routines and maintaining healthy social functioning. IPSRT is divided into four stages [2], and treatment time can vary based on individual needs.
Here’s how the stages of IPSRT work:
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1. The initial stage
In the first stage of IPSRT, you and your therapist are getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask questions to help them understand your symptoms. They’ll want to know when your mood challenges started, what you’ve already tried to manage them, and what makes them better or worse. Your therapist will also inquire about your current relationships and other sources of support.
Next, your therapist may prompt you to examine their current schedule and routines. For example, they may invite you to explore how your sleep or social habits affect your functioning. This provides clarity and insight based on patterns so you and your therapist can create a collaborative plan.
2. The intermediate stage
During the next phase of treatment, your therapist will help you select a goal to work on. For example, you may want to improve your relationship with a friend or loved one. Or you might want to improve your self-care. You’ll use a questionnaire from your therapist to track your progress between sessions. This can help you better understand how your current routines affect your mood. It also gives your therapist more insight into what’s happening in your daily life.
The end of this phase will focus on helping you learn skills to manage any potential changes that could negatively impact your mood. This could include navigating things like disagreeing with a coworker, traveling to a new place, or moving apartments.
3. The final stage
The final stage of IPSRT is all about ending on a positive note and actively planning for the future with a relapse prevention plan. These plans usually include ways to identify signs that you might be getting off track and a list of your available supports and coping mechanisms.
4. The maintenance phase
At this point, you may switch to monthly or bimonthly sessions with your therapist. You’ll continue to use the skills you learned from IPSRT in your daily life. But if something changes, you can always go back to weekly sessions for additional support.
What IPSRT is used for
IPSRT is known as a treatment for mood disorders, including major depressive disorder [3] (MDD). However, it was designed as a treatment for bipolar disorder [4].
Bipolar disorder can cause disruptive and abrupt mood swings. It includes periods of sadness and low mood (depressive episodes) and times when a person feels overly energized and euphoric (manic episodes). These episodes can last for varying amounts of time, depending on the type of bipolar disorder someone has.
By helping people maintain consistent self-care habits and social routines, IPSRT can help people with bipolar disorder navigate mood changes and maintain stability.
Where to begin with IPSRT
To begin with IPSRT, you can search online directories and telehealth platforms to find a provider. You can also ask one of your current providers for a referral. Note that therapists certified in IPSRT [5] receive extra training from the International Society of Interpersonal Psychotherapy.
If you can’t find a certified ISPRT provider, look for a therapist who specializes in bipolar disorder. These providers understand how mood changes can affect a person’s life. They can partner with you to help you improve your daily habits and strengthen your social relationships.
IPSRT often works well for people who haven’t found stability elsewhere because it focuses on two things that quietly drive mood swings: daily rhythms and relationship stress. It helps clients see how irregular routines or ongoing interpersonal tension keep pulling them off balance, and it gives them practical steps to steady both.
Ashley Ayala, LMFT
Clinical reviewer
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As a treatment for mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder, IPSRT is a type of talk therapy. It focuses on increasing stability through steady routines. IPSRT helps people strengthen their physical well-being and relationships as a way to improve mental health.
This type of therapy is divided into four stages, and how long your treatment lasts will depend on your individual needs. However, once a person completes treatment, they can resume sessions if their needs change. Providers who offer IPSRT receive additional training, so it’s important to find the right therapist.
At Rula, we’re here to help you feel better. Rula makes it easy to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance. That way, you don’t have to choose between great care and a price you can afford.
Rula patients pay about $15 per session with insurance, and 93% say they feel better after getting care through Rula. We have 21,000+ providers, and appointments are available as soon as tomorrow. We’re here to help you take the next step — wherever you are in your mental health journey.
References
- Welcome to IPSRT https://ipsrt.org/
- Overview https://ipsrt.org/overview/
- Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy for Recurrent Mood Disorders: A Pilot Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38013432/
- Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy: managing the chaos of bipolar disorder https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006322300009690
- Research https://ipsrt.org/research/
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Ashley Ayala, LMFT
Ashley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in generational healing and family dynamics. Ashley has worked in schools, clinics, and in private practice. She believes that people’s relationships, including our relationship with ourselves, greatly shape our experiences in life.
Ashley is committed to empowering others to show up authentically and deepen their self understanding. This passion stems from taking a critical lens on her own life story and doing inner healing. One of her favorite quotes is “Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.”
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