When people think of therapy, they generally think of meeting with a therapist and discussing their issues. However, there is a new form of therapy that is on the rise. Interpersonal therapy involves the use of specific techniques to facilitate change. In this blog, we will go over interpersonal therapy, what it is, and some of the challenges it can address.

What is interpersonal therapy?

Interpersonal therapy, or “IPT” for short, is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationships between people. It is based on the idea that our relationships with other people are a major factor in determining how we feel and how we behave. The main goal of IPT is to improve the quality of a client’s interpersonal relationships and social functioning to help reduce their distress.

IPT is a time-limited, focused, evidence-based approach to treat mood disorders.

What problems does interpersonal therapy look to solve?

Interpersonal therapy can be used for a variety of purposes, including helping people with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It is also used to help people with grief, marital problems, family conflicts, and other interpersonal issues. The goal of IPT is to help the patient to become more comfortable with themselves, other people and to develop better relationships with those around them.

One of the many problems that interpersonal therapy looks to solve is the lack of emotional intimacy. This may be due to the inability to share one’s feelings and thoughts with others. It may also be due to the inability to listen to others’ feelings and thoughts.  In the former case, the participants may feel inadequate in their ability to respond to another’s statement. In the latter case, the participants may feel that others are not being genuine about what they are feeling and thinking. Such difficulties can lead to mistrust, discouragement and unrealised expectations.

Another problem that interpersonal therapy looks to address is a distorted image of the self. Often many individuals have a distorted image of themselves that makes them feel bad about who they really are. This needs to be changed to make them feel more positive and confident in who they are and what they are worth as a person. Therefore, if you are unhappy with yourself, interpersonal therapy may help you explore the very reasons you feel this way in the first place. This will allow you to change your self-image in a way that doesn’t damage your perception of yourself as a person.

What are the core concepts of interpersonal therapy?

Interpersonal therapy is a collaborative process where the therapist and the patient work together to identify problems in the patient’s relationship/s (past or present) and find solutions to these problems. The core concepts of interpersonal therapy are that relationships are important and it is good to work on problems in relationships.

Further to this, it uses the understanding that: good mental health comes from positive relationships, good relationships come from facing and addressing problems, and recognising and relieving symptoms of mental health problems are the same.

Finally, Interpersonal therapy shows us that people are influenced by their relationships with other people, and that people (ourselves and others) have the ability to change our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

How is interpersonal therapy different? 

Interpersonal therapy is different because it focuses on how relationships can impact your mental health. It may not be the most popular form of therapy, but it’s one of the most effective.

In a nutshell, the difference between individual therapy and interpersonal therapy is that in individual therapy, the person is the primary focus of the therapist. In interpersonal therapy, the person and their relationships are the primary focus of the therapist. The person’s relationships are explored and examined in order to determine their impact on the person and their influence on the person’s problems. Depending on this influence and the outcome of the exploration and examination, the focus of the therapist for the person changes.

We hope that you were able to learn more about what interpersonal therapy is, how it helps people address their challenges, and how it can help you. If you’re ready to address some of the challenges you’re facing in your life and need someone to guide you through the process, you can contact us at 08 87251843. We look forward to hearing from you soon!