Interpersonal psychotherapy. Current status

Abstract

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), a time-limited treatment for major depression, was developed, defined in a manual, and tested in randomized clinical trials by the late Gerald L. Klerman, MD, and collaborators. It has subsequently been modified for different age groups and types of mood and nonmood disorders and for use as a long-term treatment. Having begun as a research intervention, IPT has yet to be well disseminated among clinicians or in residency training programs. The publication of efficacy data, the recent appearance of two practice guidelines that include IPT among treatments for depression, and the interest in defined treatments for managed care have led to increasing requests for information and training.