1. I NTER P ERSONAL T HERAPY for DEPRESSION An Overview Presented by: Eric L. Strang, Psy.D.

2. IPT Is… Evidence based Brief / Time-Limited Manualized Treatment that: –Targets improvement of interpersonal functioning –Promotes enhancement of communication within relationships –Focuses on current interpersonal conflicts

3. CONCEPTUAL MODEL Recognizes the role of Attachment in the development of depression Focuses on conflicts, transitions, and grief in key relationships. Improvement comes from changing the affective experience of key relationships.

4. Goals of ITP Reduce Symptoms of Depression –Improve Sleep Appetite Energy Outlook Enhance Patient’s ability to cope with the people and situations associated with the onset

5. Treatment Focus IPT focuses on: –Current Problems –Key figures in Patient’s present life –Clarification of Patient’s perspective of their life –Patient’s affect –Recognition of emotional response –Development of new experience

6. IPT includes Identifying / exploring options Problem solving Psychoeducation Resource development

7. IPT Does Not… Delve into early childhood Focus on cognitions Interpret defenses Seek the sources of guilt, shame, or resentment (viewed as symptoms) Encourage free association Allow indefinite treatment Encourage dependence

8. COURSE OF TREATMENT Initial Sessions (Meetings 1-4) –Diagnosis –Explain treatment procedures –Provide initial symptom relief Intermediate Sessions (Meetings 5-8) –Implementation of Treatment Strategies –Monitoring symptoms –Enabling clarification –Maintain alliance Termination (Sessions 9-12) –Process role transition –Recognize Patient’s independent competence

9. PATIENT SELECTION The following are characteristics of Patients appropriate for IPT: Ability to establish therapeutic relationship Willingness to work within a time limited framework Able to acknowledge contribution of interpersonal difficulties

10. INITIAL PHASE During the First Three Sessions: Review of Symptoms and Diagnosis Explanation of Depression & Treatment Options Medication Evaluation (if indicated) Interpersonal Inventory Case Formulation Treatment Contract Sick Role

11. DIAGNOSIS Review depressive symptoms Assess severity Link to DSM Use Scales to assess & track Name the disorder Evaluate need for medication

12. EXPLANATION Explain: The “medical” nature of their disorder (blame free illness) The treatable nature of Depression The framework of treatment Positive prognosis

13. INTERPERSONAL INVENTORY Review of key people in Patient’s life to assess the relationship’s: –Comfort and closeness –Open expression of feelings & needs –Level of Support –Pros and Cons

14. IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM AREAS Grief (complicated bereavement) Role Dispute Role Transition Interpersonal Deficits

15. GRIEF Focus of treatment when Pt’s symptoms are associated with the death of a significant other. Complicated bereavement –Postponed, avoided, or interrupted mourning –Anniversary effects

16. INTERPERSONAL DISPUTES Focus of treatment when Pt is at odds with an important other regarding expectations of the relationship. Disagreements that are repetitive or at a stalemate. Most common

17. ROLE TRANSITIONS Focus of treatment when Pt’s symptoms are related to changes in relationships. –Divorce –Moves –Graduation –Birth of siblings Can be positive or negative change

18. INTERPERSONAL DEFICITS Usually the focus when the other problem areas don’t apply. –Problems with loneliness, social isolation, limited attachments. Problems establishing or sustaining intimate relationships due to: –Low self-esteem –Dysthymia –Social anxiety

19. FORMULATION Bridge to treatment phase Provides focus for treatment Must be: –Plausible –Understandable –Based on interpersonal history –Organizing and empathic

20. Sample Formulation It seems that you have been having conflicts with your parents. It is possible that these problems may be related to your feelings of depression, since these feelings emerged at the same time. Sometimes depression can make a problem seem too large to handle. This is because you are depressed, not because you can’t change the situation. Over the next few weeks, we will meet once a week to talk about these problematic situations, and we will try to generate alternative ways to cope with them. At this time medication does not seem to be necessary to relieve your symptoms but may be considered in the future if they continue.

21. TREATMENT CONTRACT Linked to the formulation and presented immediately following Must include the time frame and number of sessions (weekly sessions for 3-4 months) Must include the proposed focus based on the formulation Includes an explanation of the prognosis and supporting research

22. SICK ROLE Remove Blame Use Medical Analogies Provide relief from the pressure of performing at their normal (premorbid) level. Arrange for extra support for effort or quantity/quality.

23. IPT Techniques Nondirective Exploration Direct Elicitation Encouragement of Affect Clarification Communication Analysis Decision Analysis Role-Play

24. Nondirective Exploration Use of open-ended questions to facilitate gathering of information Use of supportive acknowledgement: –Go on –Tell me more –I understand

25. Direct Elicitation Specific questioning used to obtain information used for: –Developing the interpersonal inventory –Symptom identification –Clarification of key points

26. Encouragement of Affect Therapist is attuned to emotion laden statements Therapist encourages expansion of these topics by eliciting details. Therapist provides validation and normalization of emotional responses. Provides opportunities for Pt to: –Become aware of their emotions –Better understand their feelings –Make informed decisions –Practice managing affect

27. Clarification Requests for Pt to rephrase or repeat a statement in order to: –Call attention to an important point –Set up expansion by therapist –Create awareness of contradictions

28. Communication Analysis Identifies communication problems Therapist elicits a detailed account of a critical conversation/argument in order to: –Understand the meaning of the interaction –Assess the methods of communication –Call attention to distortions –Highlight possible assumptive errors –Offer alternative interpretations Must be done within cultural context

29. Decision Analysis Technique for assisting Pt in considering the pros and cons of alternatives. Identify desired goals List possible methods Generate likely outcomes

30. Role-Play Can provide opportunities for identifying problematic skills Opportunity for evaluating Pt’s emotional responses to interaction Allows for practice of skills Pt can take the role of a person they would like a relationship with.

31. Therapeutic Relationship Transference not Interpreted Used to assess outside functioning Here-and-now issues provide teachable moments

32. Therapists Role Active Non-neutral Advocate –Advice / suggestions –Psychoeducation –Modeling –Problem solving Unconditional / Nonjudgmental Present focused Skills Trainer Coach

33. INTERMEDIATE PHASE Maintenance of supportive alliance: active listening / empathy Avoid drift: focus on identified problem area Normalize depressive symptoms Pull for affect Focus on interpersonal encounters: –Highlight positive effort as well as problems Role-play interpersonal options Summarize sessions Repeat depression measure every 3-4 weeks

34. Treating Grief Facilitate mourning (catharsis) Reestablish interests Establish substitute relationships Process the details of the loss –Sequence of events –Consequences of the loss Address feelings of guilt Develop tolerance for affect

35. Treating Interpersonal Disputes Identify the disagreement and the stage: –Renegotiation –Impasse –Dissolution Chose plan of action Modification of communication and/or expectations

36. Treating Role Transitions Communicate understanding of Pt’s perspectives of: –The demands of the new situation –What was gained –What was lost –The new expectations and responsibilities Assist in: –Giving up old role –Mourning old role –Acquiring new skills –Developing new supports and attachments –Recognizing the positive aspects of the change

37. Treating Interpersonal Deficits Primary treatment goal is to increase social contacts Practice forming new relationships Review past relationships Clarify patterns of strengths and problems in relationships Clarify Pt’s feelings regarding relationships

38. TERMINATION Begins during final quarter of treatment (sessions 9-12) Must be explicitly discussed and planned for Review warning symptoms of depression Review identified problem area Review strategies for improving relationships Review changes in patient Address potential relapse

39. TERMINATION (Continued) Acknowledge healthy sadness and role transition Call Patient’s attention to their independent competence Address Non-response –Minimize Pt’s self-blame –Emphasize alternative treatments Assess need for continued Treatment or Maintenance –Renegotiate contract

40. Differences Between IPT and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy IPT focuses more on the Here- and-Now IPT focuses more on Pt’s life outside the clinic No Transference Interpretation IPT focuses on changing current interpersonal patterns IPT is more structured

41. Differences Between IPT and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy IPT focuses on interpersonal affect and behavior IPT Less Structured IPT does not assign homework