IPT: INTERPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY - DEPRESSION

I am a registered IPT Therapist and Supervisor with IPT-UK; please find me on www.iptuk.net/findatherapist

​

Anyone can suffer from depression, at anytime in their lives and it can be triggered by a number of things

In IPT we explore all avenues of the clients life and link events to the interpersonal context of their life; looking at interpersonal relationships and the effect these relationship can have on the clients mood. 

​

IPT is a full treatment plan for depression typically lasting between 12-16 sessions which are weekly (breaks can be arranged to accommodate other commitments) sessions can also be done over the internet using Skype, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.  All session material can be emailed in advance of each session. NOTE: Sessions available face to face are in line with Covid procedure guidance provided by the registration bodies IPT UK, CHNC & GHR.

​​

IPT is divided into three phases of treatment:

​​

 Initial phase (4 sessions) 

In this phase we explore your experience of depression, the onset and the triggers. In addition, we will identify whether you have experienced any previous episodes of depression. We will explore the intensity and duration of your symptoms and the impact on your daily functioning. In this phase of treatment we will identify what contributes to the maintenance of your symptoms of depression. In addition, a formulation of how this episode of depression was triggered will be discussed and together we will identify the most appropriate focal area to work on in the middle phase of treatment; should we identify two focal areas then we will have 16 sessions to allow time to work through both focal areas. ​

​

There are 4 focal areas;

​

1. Role Dispute; this means there is an ongoing dispute with one person, where your expectations of each other are mis matched. This could be a parent, a partner or a friend. 

 

2. Role Transition; this mean when your role in life has changed, such as moving from one thing to another, a relationship, job, any right of passage, becoming single, getting married.

​

3. Complicated Bereavement; this means that your feelings of grief have gone on for much longer than you would normally expect (beyond a year) and you are struggling to come to terms with that loss.

​​

4. Interpersonal Sensitivities; this means that all relationships at one time or another have proven to be difficult, this includes forming and maintaining relationship. When a number of relationship are difficult that can lead to  self isolation in order to avoid further difficulties.

​

 The middle phase: (5 sessions) 

This is where we work on the focal area that we have collaboratively identified and agreed upon in the initial phase of treatment. We will explore the current difficulties and look at strategies to manage the difficulties using a mixture of IPT specific strategies, psycho-education and general strategies. In this phase of treatment, we practice strategies in and between sessions. The strategies that we practice will help you to manage the symptoms that are associated with the current episode of depression.

​​

The end phase (3 sessions)

In this phase of treatment we are preparing for the end of treatment, whilst continuing to do the middle phase work. In this phase we develop a relapse prevention plan or a continued improvement plan, depending on the progress made in sessions. The relapse plan serves as a reminder of the things you did in therapy that helped you to feel better and what to do should you begin to feel low in the future. 

​

This intervention has a very good outcomes, typically people that commit to this intervention successful move into recovery from depression. A PHQ-9 (Patient health questionnaire) is used to monitor the clients symptoms and plot the journey through treatment.

 

Any queries please do not hesitate to contact me for a free consultation on 07711238520 and a  pre-screening for suitability for treatment.