Interpersonal psychotherapy: an effective psychotherapeutic intervention for mental health nursing practice

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is well-recognized for the treatment of depression with many efficacy trials supporting its use, however, there is little discussion of its use in mental health nursing practice. This paper explores how IPT can be a useful intervention for mental health nursing practice and demonstrates the process of IPT with reference to a case study. The case study illustrates how IPT facilitates a shift for one woman from a passive subject position to a more self-assertive one. This shift was facilitated by identifying how she was constructing herself in relation to others by utilizing tactics of passivity and avoidance of conflict. The development of more satisfying subject positions facilitated an improvement in mood and recovery from depression.