Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT; 12-16 sessions) for depression is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationships between a person and significant others. It is based on the idea that humans, as social beings, have their personal relationships at the center of psychological problems. Inasmuch as perinatal depression appears to be strongly related to lack of social support, particularly from the spouse or partner, an interpersonal approach to the treatment of depression during pregnancy is highly relevant.
Brief IPT (8 sessions) is designed to treat depression by helping patients better manage the one or two interpersonal problem areas (there are 3) most linked with the onset of their depression: role transitions, such as an unplanned pregnancy; role disputes, such as lack of support from the baby’s father, and unresolved grief over the death of a loved one. Brief IPT 1) reduces the treatment burden for overwhelmed, pregnant women with multiple chronic stressors and 2) promotes rapid relief from suffering.
Brief IPT emphasizes strengthening social supports, building on patient strengths and coping strategies, such as spirituality, and resolving interpersonal problems. In addition, Brief IPT has been adapted to be relevant to the culture of poverty and the culture of race, ethnicity, or nationality.
Once a treatment response is achieved, Brief IPT is followed with bi-monthly or monthly maintenance sessions to prevent relapse and support empowerment and behavior change.
Both standard IPT and Brief IPT have received empirical support in a number of studies of pregnant and parenting women with depression (Grote et al., 2009; 2015; 2016; O’Hara et al., 2000; Spinelli et al., 2003).