Teaching interpersonal psychotherapy to psychiatric residents

Time-limited therapies are increasingly important components of clinical practice. The author describes his experience in teaching interpersonal psychotherapy and brief psychotherapy generally to PGY-3 psychiatric residents in two residency programs. Although residents lack psychotherapeutic experience, they appear to compensate f or needed security in the therapeutic role with enthusiasm and vigor, and to adjust relatively easily to the demands of conducting an active, time-limited approach. Videotaping sessions and having appropriately trained supervisors are important factors for program success.