What Is Interpersonal Therapy? Benefits & Effect on Marriage

Listen to this article

Several techniques have been developed to treat disorders in the evolution of mental health. One such valuable one is Interpersonal Therapy or IPT, which concentrates on improving interpersonal interactions to resolve all forms of emotional conflicts and challenges. Read more about it in this detailed article.

What is interpersonal therapy (IPT)

Interpersonal therapy is a form of psychotherapy that assists individuals in managing their emotional issues and improving the quality of their interactions with others. This technique is based on the idea that our interactions with other people substantially affect our mental health.

What is IPT therapy?

IPT emphasizes working through the present problems more than investigating their origin or history. This reduces emotional suffering by locating and addressing issues that arise within relationships and thus proves to be an effective form of therapy on several occasions.

3 types of interpersonal therapy

Interpersonal therapy exists in several types, each aiming to tackle different problems- from emotional turmoil to severe mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Here are the most common types of IPT:

1. IPT for depression

This interpersonal therapy focuses on treating depression arising from unresolved grief and relationship conflicts or challenges in societal roles. The technique is adopted after a thorough examination of the situation by the therapist to then get into the steps involved in the process. 

2. IPT for anxiety disorders

Interpersonal therapy is also for those suffering from anxiety. Anxiety leads to conflicts in relationships, societal roles, agitation, and stress; hence, IPT can be crucial in tackling this.

3. IPT as a treatment for eating disorders 

Interpersonal therapy is an effective tool for treating eating disorders such as bulimia and binge eating. The method evaluates interpersonal issues and determines why such conditions occur. 

4 techniques of interpersonal therapy

Interpersonal therapy uses distinct and specific techniques to ensure it meets its goals and achieves its objective. Some of the typical procedure strategies have been listed below for your understanding.

1. Assessment of present condition

The first step in interpersonal therapy is an assessment of the individuals present. What are the individual problematic areas? Does it hamper interpersonal functioning? Once this initial assessment is done, a treatment technique is formulated following the assessed findings and the goal to be achieved. 

2. Pattern recognition

The interpersonal therapist works with the client to assist them in recognizing recurring patterns in their relationships that lead to emotional challenges. These patterns include disputes, role shifts, and personal losses such as grief.

3. Analysis of communication

The next stage in IPT therapy comprises an analysis of communication. The therapist may request a “script” of a conversation between the patient and a significant other, outlining the conversation’s context, topic, tone, nonverbal cues, and emotional experience. 

The therapist asks the patient questions to determine whether or not the intended message was received and may then choose to employ coaching or role-playing to aid the patient in developing their interpersonal skills.

4. Role-play

Role-play is another method that is frequently utilized in interpersonal psychotherapy techniques. The client will be asked to explain a challenging circumstance during a role-play. After that, he will have to swap roles to take on the character of the significant other. This is to understand the two-way communication process better.

What is interpersonal therapy good for?

Interpersonal psychotherapy enhances your capacity to communicate with others, thereby addressing mental issues. Psychologists and psychiatrists frequently combine interpersonal therapy for depression with pharmaceutical interventions when treating patients with mental health problems.

Dynamic interpersonal therapy has demonstrated that it effectively treats various mental health disorders and that individuals can control their depressive symptoms and enhance their general well-being. 

Interpersonal resolution therapy also lessens anxiety symptoms and other sources of stress in the client’s life. 

7 benefits of interpersonal therapy

There are several benefits of interpersonal processing therapy. Here are the common ones. 

1. Focuses on the present

It emphasizes the relationships you have right now to identify aggravating factors. This may then be examined to improve your life and relationships by fixing particular issues and making necessary changes.

This approach will assist you in recognizing and resolving specific problems and making adjustments that will strengthen your relationships and enhance the quality of your life. 

2. Enhances communication

Techniques of interpersonal psychotherapy to help you develop your communication abilities. You may become a better communicator with the aid of IPT. Better communication skills lead to improved interpersonal connections, reducing stress levels. 

If you have difficulty articulating how you feel when confronted with conflict, this therapy component may be helpful for you.

3. Recognize and find solutions to disputes

Interpersonal therapy focuses on negotiating a conflict. Conflict is an inevitable part of any relationship, and how you negotiate that conflict significantly influences the mental health you experience as a whole. 

IPT teaches you how to recognize and handle problems in your interpersonal connections, alleviating feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Learning to manage conflict may be highly beneficial when dealing with challenging individuals.

4. Supportive emotional therapy

Because it focuses on human connections, interpersonal relationship therapy has the potential to assist you in developing a more robust network of support. Having a solid support system is crucial while dealing with the symptoms of depression. 

Create a network of people who have your back and will help you get through tough times by working on strengthening your connections. It will surely help you get through tough times quickly.

5. Efficiently tackles feelings of loss and sadness

The experience of loss and grief can be significant factors in the development of depression. IPT can assist you in gaining the skills necessary to process the feelings associated with loss and come to grips with the event.

6. Boost your self-esteem

IPT teaches you how to analyze and strengthen your relationships, both of which may have a beneficial effect on your self-esteem and confidence. It is possible to improve your overall well-being by enhancing your current relationships.

To learn more about self-esteem, watch this video:

7. Works effectively in conjunction with various treatments

IPT can be used with other types of therapy, such as for cognitive-behavioral treatment, bipolar, or depression. Several things, such as mixed treatments, can prove to be more beneficial 

Some commonly asked questions 

Having spent time reading all about what interpersonal therapy is and how the process works, you may still have some doubts. Let’s address some frequently asked questions on this matter now. 

• What is an example of interpersonal therapy?

If you have understood what interpersonal therapy is, then it is essential also to understand an example of IPT. A couple who often argues with each other is an excellent candidate for interpersonal counseling. 

An interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) therapist may assist the couple in improving their communication skills and setting more explicit boundaries when interacting with each other. 

• What are the phases of interpersonal therapy?

Interpersonal therapy may be divided into three phases: formulation, middle, and graduation. Depending on the symptoms that the client is experiencing and their level of social anxiety, each phase might last anywhere from three to five appointments.

The formulation phase focuses on understanding how the client feels and what is going on in his life. A plan is usually made, and meetings focus on things like living with complicated grief, changing jobs, role conflicts, or problems with other people.

The middle phase discusses several strategies to address the client’s issues. The client will be invited to reflect on how their self-worth and independence have evolved during graduation, which occurs towards the conclusion of the interpersonal therapy. 

•  What are the goals of interpersonal therapy?

In addition to alleviating depressive symptoms, IPT helps people feel more connected to others around them. It also helps to reduce conflicts and lessens emotional distress.

• Are there four stages in interpersonal relationships?

According to renowned psychologist George Levinger, every relationship has the following stages. When two individuals meet formally or informally, they prioritize getting to know one another. The second stage is when a connection is created, and trust grows. 

Preparing oneself psychologically and emotionally for a long-term commitment is the third phase. 

After getting to know them, one decides to spend the rest of their life with another person. The fourth stage, regrettably the decline of the relationship, may be identified by the absence of relationship challenges such as shared interest, trust, love, and caring between the two parties. 

Sometimes, a couple trying to work things out for a while separated because they can’t seem to get along.

• What is the difference between CBT and IPT?

IPT addresses interpersonal difficulties, whereas CBT focuses on discovering thought patterns that may negatively impact your behaviors and mood. Both therapies aim to help people feel better about themselves and their relationships and are utilized in treating various mental health disorders.

Final thoughts 

Managing emotional illnesses and enhancing relationships are at the heart of interpersonal therapy’s goals. It focuses on the impact of interpersonal connections on one’s emotional and mental health. It, thus, helps people learn to communicate effectively, settle conflicts, and feel better overall. 

If you or a loved one is struggling emotionally or interpersonally, consult a trained therapist specializing in this form of therapy.