CLINICAL QUALITY OF CARE – PRACTICE PARAMETERS 

Office of the Chief Medical Officer 
Clinical Operations 


Interpersonal Psychotherapy Techniques

Psych-03
 
Category: Psychotherapy 
Published Date: May 2022
  1. PARAMETER GOAL
    1. To provide staff with measures and treatment techniques related to Interpersonal Psychotherapy.
  2. TERMINOLOGY
    1. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT): A time-limited, focused, evidence-based approach to treat mood disorders. The main goal of IPT is to improve the quality of a client’s interpersonal relationships and social functioning to help reduce their distress. 
  3. MEASURES
    1. IPT should be considered for clients who present with the following at assessment:
      1. Mood disorders
      2. Interpersonal deficits (e.g., social isolation, unfulfilling relationships)
      3. Unresolved grief
      4. Difficult life transitions
      5. Interpersonal disputes
    2. Considerations when utilizing IPT:
      1. Capacity for insight
      2. Ability to engage in self-reflection and self-monitoring 
      3. Motivation for improvement
      4. Effectiveness of medication
    3. Contraindications:
      1. Active psychosis
      2. Personality disorders without motivation for change
      3. Moderate to severe cognitive impairment due to ongoing significant substance use
      4. General medical conditions
  4. TREATMENT STRATEGY
    1. Frequency sufficient to ensure clinical results
    2. May be effectively administered concurrently with pharmacological therapies
  5. PROVISION OF SERVICES
    1. IPT techniques include:
      1. Clarification of interpersonal relationships and their impact on client mood
      2. Clarification of transitions, role disputes, loss, and skill deficits in relationships
      3. Demonstration of non-judgmental acceptance
      4. Facilitation of emotional expression and affect management
      5. Engagement of client in problem-solving and communication skills
      6. Provision of guidance through restatement and rephrasing, role-playing, and use of client-therapist relationship
    2. Selected IPT techniques (reinforcement combined with social skills training, role-playing, and social modeling) may be used:
      1. Individually or in small groups
      2. As a medication adjunct to improve post-inpatient adjustment
  6. OUTCOMES AND MONITORING
    1. Goals of IPT:
      1. Help communicate better with others
      2. Address problems that contribute to distress
      3. Address how interactions with others contribute to symptoms
    2. IPT providers should monitor adjustment to:
      1. Life changes
      2. Role transitions
      3. Role disputes
      4. Absence of major life events
    3. Termination should be based upon the completion of agreed-upon service goals.
  7. STAFF TRAINING
    1. Therapist Training
      1. All therapists should have a working knowledge of IPT techniques.
    2. Necessary Resources
      1. IPT-related instruction manuals should be available.
  8. SUPERVISION AND CONSULTATION
    1. Regular and as-needed supervision and consultation with supervisor and treatment team
    2. Multi-disciplinary case consultations
  9. RESOURCES
    1. Treatment Considerations for Youth and Young Adults with Serious Emotional Disturbances and Serious Mental Illnesses and Co-occurring Substance Use
    2. Selecting Evidence-Based Practices for Treatment of Depression in Older Adults