INTERPERSONAL PSYCHOTHERAPY

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a brief and highly structured therapy focusing on interpersonal issues. It works quickly and the therapy is very brief; fewer than twenty sessions. Most people see a benefit in fewer than ten sessions.

How does it work?

IPT helps you understand how your choices (behaviors), and your personality affect your symptoms and social functioning in four key areas related to distress and depression. They are:

Interpersonal Disputes- Your wife, your children, your boss or even a friend. When one of these relationships is not going well, it can be devastating. IPT empowers you. You focus on what you can do differently. Using the same techniques as in couples therapy, you learn how to communicate and negotiate more effectively. As you suceed in resolving the disputes more effectively, your symptoms may resolve.

Role Transitions- Retirement, divorce, marriage, "empty nest," or even a new job, require adaptation. When you have difficulty adapting, symptoms can emerge that leave you depressed or anxious. As you aquire the skills to adapt, your life becomes more manageable and you feel better.

Grief- We all handle loss in different ways. No one is prepared for the death of a loved one. Working through unresolved feelings, and choosing different behaviors to replace the grieving process can help you move through a difficult time.

Interpersonal Deficits- Looking around, there may not be the people in your life you hoped you'd find. Forming strong meaningful relationships can be especially challenging in Los Angeles. Focusing on Interpersonal Deficits can help you build the relationships you want. You will get out more, fill up your social calendar, and feel better.

After discussing and exploring all four areas, you and your therapist quickly move to choose the one focus for your treatment. After that, you get to work. Much like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, IPT focuses on changing behaviors through a personalized psychotherapeutic regimen that includes daily assignments specifically designed to help you get better. Each session focuses on how you got through the previous week, what the challenges were, and we develop homework for the next session so that you can continue to improve.

Can I take medication while getting IPT?

Yes, and working with a psychiatrist trained in IPT offers you the best of both worlds. Your therapy and medication regimen can be tightly integrated to ensure that side effects do not interfere with your acquisition of the skills IPT requires.

"IPT is very rewarding for the patient and the clinician. My experience with IPT has affected how I treat all of my patients.

Patients say that I am problem oriented. IPT is problem oriented too. It helps you get to the heart of the matter quickly, fix what's giving you the most trouble, and move on.

It's important when you pick a therapist for IPT that you pick one with substantial training and experience.

I have been working with IPT for five years, not only with patients but also teaching it to other clinicians, including psychiatrists."

To Schedule a Consultation, Please Call 310-593-4827

CBT - DBT - ISTDP - IPT - SUPPORTIVE - INSIGHT ORIENTED

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