Developments in interpersonal psychotherapy.

BACKGROUND

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), a time-limited psychotherapy, was developed in the 1970s as a treatment for outpatient adults with major depression. It since has grown in its range of research applications and in its clinical accessibility.

METHOD

Review of recent research and educational developments on IPT.

RESULTS

IPT has demonstrated efficacy in randomized controlled trials for major depression in various patient populations and in patients with bulimia. It showed no advantages in treating 2 substance abuse samples. Numerous further studies are underway. Growing numbers of clinicians are learning IPT.

CONCLUSIONS

At a time when both research developments and economic pressures are increasing interest in time-limited psychotherapies, IPT is expanding in both the research and clinical domains.