Implementing interpersonal and social rhythm therapy for mood disorders across a continuum of care

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy for mood disorders. The goal of this quality improvement initiative was to demonstrate feasibility of implementing IPSRT across the continuum of outpatient and inpatient care within an academic medical center.

A multidisciplinary work group was convened to implement IPSRT in outpatient (N=48), inpatient (N=602), and intensive outpatient (N=68) programs of an academic medical center. Quality improvement performance markers (including symptoms and group attendance rates) were collected.

Institutional preference for group treatments required adaptation of IPSRT from an individual to group psychotherapy format. Iterative problem solving and protocol development resulted in models of group IPSRT appropriate for each level of care. Performance outcome markers were favorable, indicating feasibility of implementation.

At a single, multisite, urban, academic medical center, IPSRT proved a feasible evidence-based psychotherapy for implementation across levels of care in routine practice.