Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on the connection between relationships and mental health. It asserts that improving one can improve the other.
Unlike other forms of therapy that focus on thoughts and behaviors, IPT focuses on relationships. In IPT, you might talk about grief, major transitions, interpersonal conflict, and more.
IPT was created to treat depression, but it’s also used to treat a variety of other concerns. It can help people living with anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a form of talk therapy that honors the ways that our relationships affect our well-being. This evidence-based approach can be used to treat a variety of mental health concerns, but it can be especially effective for treating mood disorders like depression.
IPT is founded on the idea that fulfilling relationships are important for our mental health. In addition, prioritizing our mental well-being can be a way to strengthen our relationships. Learning more about IPT can help you determine if it might be the right fit for you.
The basic principles behind interpersonal therapy
Unlike other therapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on thoughts and behaviors, IPT focuses on relationships. It takes the perspective that if your relationships are causing emotional distress, improving them will provide relief.
The three basic principles behind IPT are:
Mental health concerns are treatable conditions. They aren’t the result of a moral failing or personal deficit.
Our mood and emotions are connected to our life circumstances, including our relationships.
Improving our mental health can strengthen our relationships (and vice versa).
Let’s explore an example of how one could apply these principles to a real-life situation.
Imagine that you’ve been feeling depressed for months. You haven’t been sleeping, and you’ve lost your appetite. Instead of spending time with other people, you’ve been isolating yourself at home. In this scenario, you might be tempted to wonder, “What’s wrong with me?” and blame yourself for your low mood and lack of motivation.
In this instance, IPT could help you challenge that self-blame. By working with an IPT-focused therapist, you could begin to explore your life circumstances and how they’re affecting your mood. Your therapist may ask you to consider what was happening in your relationships when you noticed a decline in your mental health. During these conversations, you may come to realize that your closest friend moved away right about the time you started feeling depressed.
This realization could help you see that you’re mourning the loss of an important connection. And in acknowledging your grief, you can begin to move through it. This may help you create space to prioritize other friendships so that you feel more supported and less alone. In doing so, you may find that your mood improves.
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What to expect from interpersonal therapy
IPT is a relatively brief form of care, usually lasting about 12 to 16 sessions. Initially, the focus may be on uncovering the stressful events or dynamics that may be impacting your mental health.
Examples of things you might discuss during an IPT session include:
Grief and loss
Major life transitions
Family changes
Social challenges like isolation
Conflict with friends or loved ones
Throughout your sessions, your therapist will work to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment to talk about your emotions and what’s happening in your life. You’ll explore how your relationships are affecting your well-being and learn coping strategies to help you improve them.
What is interpersonal psychotherapy used for?
IPT was initially created as a treatment for depression. But it’s also used to support people living with other mental health conditions, including:
Some people may benefit from using IPT alongside other forms of care. For example, research shows that combining IPT with psychiatric medication may improve outcomes for people with depression. However, like all forms of therapy, IPT isn’t necessarily right for everyone. It’s not recommended for people experiencing acute psychosis or active substance use disorders (SUDs).
Getting started with interpersonal therapy
If you’re interested in trying IPT, search for therapists who advertise experience with this approach. You can also ask prospective providers if they have training in IPT or an IPT certification (although this isn’t required to practice IPT).
Look for therapists who focus on relationships, like those who work with couples or families. Then, use your first few sessions to gauge whether you feel like your provider is a good therapeutic fit. You can also ask your therapist to connect with other members of your care team. For example, if you’re also seeing a psychiatrist, having all of your providers on the same page can help ensure everyone is working together to help you meet your goals.
If you’re hesitant about IPT because it feels less familiar than CBT, I’d say it’s simply a different doorway into healing — one that focuses on the people and connections shaping your daily life, which can be just as powerful.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
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IPT is an evidence-based treatment that focuses on how mental health and relationships intersect. It can help you explore how your relationships might be affecting your mood and emotions, and vice versa. This approach may be used to support people with conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, eating disorders, and other mental health concerns. With help from a therapist trained in IPT, you can strengthen your relationships and your mental health at the same time.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
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.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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