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Abstract
Interpersonal therapy is a useful tool for the treatment of patients with depression and other mental disorders. A shorter version is available for GPs, which offers a more tailored intervention and greater treatment options.
Key Points
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT) has a strong evidence base for the treatment of depression.
- IPT offers a short-term, unique approach that differs from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
- Interpersonal counselling (IPC) is a shorter, manual-based version of IPT that is readily adapted to the general practice setting.
- IPT and IPC formulate a patient’s mental illness in the context of their social environment.
- IPC can be delivered by GPs and practice staff with an interest in psychological therapy with the aid of available manuals.
- IPT works well with the medical model and the use of antidepressant medications and lends itself more adaptively to some patient circumstances than CBT.
- IPT has been expanded to a wide range of mental disorders including anxiety, substance use and depression related to medical illness.
- An awareness of IPT and IPC allows a more tailored intervention and greater treatment options for GPs and patients.
Picture credit: © Katarzyna Bialasiewicz/iStockphoto.com Model used for illustrative purposes only
