Interpersonal Behavioral Therapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a treatment that is very limited on time which stimulates the patient to gain control of what mood they are functioning and it typically lasts about 12-16 weeks (Frank, J.1971). This type of therapy was developed in the 1970’s. Its focus was only on relief of the patients symptoms due to depression which now days, its treated as a medical illness. It has the ability to combine a persons interpersonal events and their moods. IPT structures on the foundation in which people may communicate and interact with one another between their relationships according to their mental health. Interpersonal psychotherapy is often used for depression, however its also supports many other treatments for life for example bipolar …show more content…
It’s a treatment that allows the therapist to use good psychotherapy skills and gain experience to educate the purpose. IPT approach is appealing for many therapist in all cases relating to grief and relationship issues and problems. It is a benefit to practice as most illnesses these days regard interpersonal problems. However, IPT has been one of the therapies that contribute much lower then all the other therapy methods such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy both were found in the 1970’s-1980’s however they both developed in different directions. CBT concentrated on cognition and IPT focused on interpersonal relationships (Weissman, Markowitz, & Klerman, 2000). Even though these two therapy methods work well when they are practised by themselves, they have however established that it is most effective when they are used together. Having said that, there are many differences between the two therapy methods. Interpersonal Psychotherapy concentrates on feelings and emotions, as to cognitive behavioural therapy, focuses on an individuals pattern of thoughts and cognition. The goal of CBT is to work with the cognitions that effect the patience negativity input on their emotions and behaviours (Beck 1995). However IPT doesn't disclose these thoughts of negativity but instead aims to change the movement of their …show more content…
There are four specific IPT problem areas which are grief, interpersonal disputes (role disputes), role transitions, and interpersonal sensitive which are also known as interpersonal deficits. At some stage or another in life, we all experience the loss of a loved one, family member, friend and we grief. This life process is complicated and it’s not an easy turn around period for many. As Stuart & Roberston (2003) discuss that grieving comes with a variety of factors that need special grief oriented therapy to safely come to a healing process. In IPT, grief is considered to be a complicated transmission in bereavement. Robertson, M. Wurm, C. Rushton, P. (2008) states the fundamental tasks of working with grief in IPT according to Stuart and Robertson (2003) which are firstly being diagnosed as a grief area problem, secondly the reason of the circumstances of the loss. Thirdly, finding connection from the time of the loss followed by the symptoms. Fourthly, helping the patient accept the situation and helping the patient communicate with others about it and the last one which is an important aspect, to reanimate the relationship with the deceased. Interpersonal disputes are classified as a problem when the disputes contribute to a patients illness or issues they are dealing with. Patients tend to not mention these at first because it may be too painful and are unresolved