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Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Interpersonal psychotherapy uses both supportive and dynamic psychotherapeutic techniques. Because depression occurs in the context of relationships (poor relationships may lead to depression and depression may damage relationships), emphasis is placed on understanding and improving the relationship skills of the patient. Goals of interpersonal psychotherapy are to reduce depressive symptoms, improve self esteem, and help the patient develop new strategies for improving social and interpersonal functioning. Individuals with ingrained and severe personality problems would usually not be treated with interpersonal psychotherapy. Specific techniques are available to help with problems of grief, role changes, interpersonal disputes, and deficits the patient may have in interpersonal functioning. Both short and long-term scientific studies have found beneficial effects from the use of interpersonal psychotherapy to treat depression. There is some evidence that combining interpersonal psychotherapy with antidepressant medication offers further advantages.
Interpersonal psychotherapy uses both supportive and dynamic psychotherapeutic techniques. Because depression occurs in the context of relationships (poor relationships may lead to depression and depression may damage relationships), emphasis is placed on understanding and improving the relationship skills of the patient. Goals of interpersonal psychotherapy are to reduce depressive symptoms, improve self esteem, and help the patient develop new strategies for improving social and interpersonal functioning. Individuals with ingrained and severe personality problems would usually not be treated with interpersonal psychotherapy. Specific techniques are available to help with problems of grief, role changes, interpersonal disputes, and deficits the patient may have in interpersonal functioning. Both short and long-term scientific studies have found beneficial effects from the use of interpersonal psychotherapy to treat depression. There is some evidence that combining interpersonal psychotherapy with antidepressant medication offers further advantages.