Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Literature Review

Abstract

Psychotherapy aims to help individuals deal with psychological difficulties and improve Mental Health in general. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is an Evidence-Based, time-limited, and empirically proven treatment for Depression and several other Mental Illnesses and disorders. This therapeutic approach focuses specifically on the development of communication skills and personal effectiveness, as it is based on the idea that many psychological problems result from deficiencies in relationship or conflicts in roles.  Although this therapeutic approach is widely spread in Western societies, it is not well known in Arab societies, and the reason for this may be the limited educational and training resources for this specialized type of treatment. Therefore, the current review aims to shed light on the Interpersonal Therapy approach in terms of its origin, history, and the theories on which it is based on, as well as an explanation of the general structure of this therapeutic approach and the strategies used in it. It will also review the limits of its uses with various mental disorders and clarify the difference between IPT and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In addition, this review will indicate recommendations to study Interpersonal Therapy in the future in Arab societies