In plain words
Interpersonal psychotherapy, or IPT, is a short, structured for depression. It usually runs for 12 to 16 weekly sessions. The therapist focuses on four areas: grief, conflict in close relationships, role changes, and social isolation. Pregnancy and early parenthood often bring these areas into focus, such as a new role, a partner who has changed, or a loss of friends. IPT is not mainly about digging into childhood. It works on present relationships and how they affect mood. It has been studied in , and several studies found it helpful. A mother who is interested can ask a provider or therapist whether they offer IPT. Medication is another option, and many people use both.
The deeper version
IPT, developed by Klerman, Weissman, and colleagues (Interpersonal Psychotherapy of Depression, 1984), is a time-limited, manualized treatment that targets four problem areas: grief, interpersonal disputes, role transitions, and interpersonal deficits. It assumes that depressive symptoms are linked to disruption in close relationships. Sockol and colleagues (Clinical Psychology Review, 2011) meta-analyzed treatments for perinatal depression and found moderate to large effects for IPT and CBT. Trials in pregnant and postpartum samples are smaller and vary in quality. Whether IPT outperforms other psychotherapies, and whether group or individual format is better, remains debated, and some reviews rate the certainty of evidence as low.
Where it comes up
- Depression during pregnancyPregnancy: Mind and Life
- Postpartum depressionPostpartum: Mind
- Therapy and medication after birth: what the options arePostpartum: Mind
- Finding a perinatal therapistPregnancy: Mind and Life
What mothers here say about interpersonal psychotherapy
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Sources
- Klerman GL, Weissman MM et al. — Interpersonal Psychotherapy of Depression. Basic Books, 1984
- Sockol LE, Epperson CN, Barber JP — A meta-analysis of treatments for perinatal depression. Clinical Psychology Review, 2011