Developments in interpersonal psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), a time-limited psychotherapy, was developed in the 1970s as a treatment for outpatient adults with major depression. It since has grown in its range of research applications and in its clinical accessibility.

Review of recent research and educational developments on IPT.

IPT has demonstrated efficacy in randomized controlled trials for major depression in various patient populations and in patients with bulimia. It showed no advantages in treating 2 substance abuse samples. Numerous further studies are underway. Growing numbers of clinicians are learning IPT.

At a time when both research developments and economic pressures are increasing interest in time-limited psychotherapies, IPT is expanding in both the research and clinical domains.