Implementing interpersonal psychotherapy in a psychiatry residency training program

Abstract

Objective: Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for depression is a brief, well researched treatment for acute major depression. This article describes the implementation of IPT as an evidence-based treatment for depression in a psychiatry residency program.

Method: The authors tracked the implementation process over 5 years as interpersonal psychotherapy was systematically incorporated into residency training.

Results: The authors outline key ingredients for and challenges to effecting change.

Conclusions: Implementation of interpersonal psychotherapy in psychiatry residency training was a cornerstone for learning evidence-based treatment approaches as well as for conveying core psychotherapy concepts.