Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a short, structured talk therapy that treats depression by working on the relationships and life events connected to it, such as grief, conflict, major changes and loneliness. At Calida Rehab, IPT is delivered by our clinical team at our Pune centre and our Mumbai Region – Karjat centre, together with psychiatric care. [CONFIRM: delivery format]
- Best for: depression, including depression that follows grief, conflict at home or work, or a big life change
- Approach: structured and time-limited, focused on one or two relationship problem areas
- Format: individual sessions, with family involvement where helpful [CONFIRM]
- Care setting: inpatient care at Calida Rehab, planned together with the treating psychiatrist [CONFIRM]
- Where: Pune centre and Mumbai Region – Karjat centre
- Clinically reviewed by: Dr. Prashant Dasud, M.D. (Psychiatry), Director and Consultant Psychiatrist [CONFIRM: review pending, remove this line if not reviewed]
- Last updated: October 2026
What is Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)?
Interpersonal Therapy was developed in the 1970s and 1980s by psychiatrist Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman for the treatment of depression. It is now an established psychological treatment, used for depression in adults, adolescents and older adults.
The idea is simple. Depression affects relationships, and relationships affect depression. A death in the family, a long conflict with a spouse, a job loss or a move to a new city can trigger or deepen low mood. When a person feels cut off from others, mood often falls further. IPT works on this two-way link, so that improving a key relationship or life situation also helps mood.
IPT does not dig through childhood. It stays focused on the present: what is happening between you and the people around you, and what can change.
Where IPT comes from
The first IPT manual, Interpersonal Psychotherapy of Depression, was published in 1984 by Klerman, Weissman, Rounsaville and Chevron. It was designed as a short, structured therapy that could be tested in research trials. It has since been adapted for groups, adolescents and community settings, including a group version published by the World Health Organization.
What IPT focuses on
- The link between your mood and your relationships or life events
- One or two problem areas, chosen together with your therapist
- The present, and not a long review of the past
- Practical steps you try between sessions
Someone who has become withdrawn after a loss, or who argues every day at home, may be dealing with a relationship problem that is feeding depression. IPT helps you see that link and work on it.
The Four Problem Areas in IPT
Your therapist helps you choose one or two of these four areas to focus on.
| Problem area | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Grief | Depression that follows the death of someone close, especially when mourning feels stuck | A person who has not been able to grieve a parent’s death and feels numb months later |
| Role disputes | Ongoing conflict with a spouse, parent, child, in-law or colleague | Repeated arguments in a joint family that leave the person hopeless |
| Role transitions | A major life change that is hard to adjust to | Retirement, marriage, divorce, moving cities, becoming a parent, illness or job loss |
| Interpersonal sensitivity (deficits) | Long-standing loneliness or difficulty forming and keeping close relationships | A person with few close contacts who feels isolated and unsupported |
How IPT Differs from CBT and Other Therapies
| Therapy | Main focus | Often used for |
|---|---|---|
| Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) | Relationships, grief, role changes and social support | Depression linked to life events and relationships |
| CBT | Changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours | Depression, anxiety, addiction |
| DBT | Emotion regulation and distress tolerance | Intense emotions and impulsive behaviour |
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy | Accepting difficult feelings and acting on personal values | Chronic stress, anxiety, depression |
| Family Therapy | The family as a whole and how it communicates | Family conflict and support during recovery |
IPT and CBT both have good evidence in depression. Your psychiatrist and psychologist choose between them, or combine them, based on your history and what is driving your low mood.
Techniques Used in IPT
IPT is built on practical conversation. These are the main techniques your therapist may use.
| Technique | What you do | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Interpersonal inventory | List the important people in your life, what each relationship gives you and what is going wrong | Shows where relationships and mood are linked |
| Communication analysis | Go through a recent difficult conversation step by step: what was said, what was meant and what was heard | Reveals misunderstandings and habits that can be changed |
| Role-play | Rehearse a hard conversation with your therapist | Builds confidence before the real talk |
| Exploring feelings | Put words to grief, anger or disappointment that has been held back | Lets feelings be understood and not avoided |
| Options and decisions | List realistic choices in a conflict or life change and weigh each one | Moves you from feeling stuck to having a plan |
| Between-session tasks | Take small steps, such as one planned conversation or reaching out to one person | Turns insight into change in daily life |
Your therapist chooses the techniques that fit your problem area. Nobody is expected to use all of them.
What Does the Research Say About IPT?
IPT is one of the best-studied psychological therapies for depression.
| Study | What it looked at | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Klerman, Weissman, Rounsaville and Chevron (1984), Interpersonal Psychotherapy of Depression | The original treatment manual for IPT | Set out the four problem areas and the structure of therapy |
| Elkin et al. (1989), Archives of General Psychiatry | The NIMH Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program, comparing IPT, CBT, an antidepressant and placebo with clinical management | IPT, CBT and the antidepressant all helped. Differences between them were small, especially in less severe depression |
| Bolton et al. (2003), JAMA | Group IPT for depression in rural Uganda | Group IPT reduced depression symptoms compared with control, showing it can work in low-resource settings |
| Cuijpers et al. (2011), American Journal of Psychiatry | A meta-analysis of IPT trials for depression | IPT was more effective than control conditions, and about as effective as other established therapies |
| World Health Organization (2016), Group Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for Depression | A WHO manual for delivering group IPT | WHO publishes IPT as a treatment that trained workers can deliver in community settings |
What this means in practice: IPT has solid evidence, but it is not right for everyone and it is not a stand-alone answer for severe depression. At Calida Rehab it sits inside a wider plan that includes psychiatric review, medicines where needed, other therapies and family involvement.
Who Can Benefit from Interpersonal Therapy?
IPT is most often used for depression, including:
- Depression following bereavement, conflict or a major life change
- Long-standing low mood with loneliness or few close relationships
- Depression that has come back after earlier treatment
- Postnatal depression and depression in older adults
- Clients who prefer a talking therapy over medicines alone, or who want one alongside medicines
Want to know more about the condition itself? Read how depression counselling helps with stress, sadness and burnout or a real-life depression case study.
If you also have anxiety or another condition, your psychiatrist may combine IPT with other therapies. Our team will advise whether IPT fits your situation.Why Choose Calida Rehab for Interpersonal Therapy?
Depression is easier to treat when the diagnosis is clear and the plan fits the person. At Calida Rehab, a psychiatrist assesses you first, so that medical causes and the right level of care are clear before therapy begins.
What our approach includes
- Psychiatric assessment before therapy starts
- IPT planned together with depression treatment and any needed medicines
- Family sessions, so relatives understand what is happening and can help [CONFIRM]
- Option to combine with CBT, group therapy and family therapy
- Care across our Pune centre and Mumbai Region – Karjat centre
How Interpersonal Therapy Works at Calida
Interpersonal Therapy at Calida Rehab follows three phases and is usually time-limited. The number of sessions depends on the person and the problem area.
Interpersonal inventory
One or two focus areas agreed
Communication practice
Small steps between sessions
Plan for tough situations
Follow-up care linked
Phase 1: Assessment and Focus
- Review of your symptoms, history and current medicines with the treating psychiatrist
- An interpersonal inventory: a map of the important people in your life and where things are going wrong
- Agreeing on one or two problem areas to work on
Phase 2: Working on the Problem Area
- Grief: talking through the loss and slowly rebuilding routines and connections
- Role disputes: understanding what each side wants and practising clearer communication
- Role transitions: acknowledging what was lost and building support in the new role
- Interpersonal deficits: looking at past patterns and practising new ways of connecting
- Between-session tasks, such as one planned conversation or reaching out to one person
Phase 3: Ending Well and Planning Ahead
- Reviewing what has changed and what still needs work
- Planning for the situations most likely to bring low mood back
- Linking to follow-up care and, where needed, medicines and psychiatric review
What to Expect in Your First IPT Sessions
Most people begin once they have been assessed by the psychiatrist and a treatment plan is agreed.
| Stage | What happens | What you may notice |
|---|---|---|
| First 1 to 3 sessions | Your therapist listens to your story, reviews your symptoms and maps the important people and events in your life | Relief at having the link between mood and life events named |
| Middle sessions | You work on the chosen problem area, with practical steps between sessions | Small changes in how you handle conflict, loss or change |
| Final sessions | You review progress and plan for the future | More confidence that you can cope with hard times |
An illustrative example (not a real patient): a man loses his job and moves back to live with his parents. He feels useless, stops meeting friends and argues daily with his father. In IPT, the therapist helps him see this as a role transition with a role dispute inside it. Sessions focus on grieving the old role, planning how to speak with his father without an argument, and rebuilding one or two friendships. As the situation improves, so does his mood.
How Families Can Help
Depression often changes how a person speaks, eats, sleeps and joins in family life. Relatives can help by understanding this.
| Helpful | Less helpful |
|---|---|
| Listening without rushing to fix or judge | Saying just think positive or be strong |
| Keeping simple routines for meals, sleep and short walks | Pushing the person to snap out of it |
| Joining family sessions to understand the problem areas | Blaming the person or other relatives for the illness |
| Noticing and reporting changes in mood, sleep or talk of hopelessness | Ignoring talk of self-harm or hopelessness |
| Looking after your own health and support | Carrying the full burden alone |
Relatives are welcome in family therapy sessions at Calida Rehab.
Myths and Facts About IPT
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Depression is just a bad mood, so therapy is not needed. | Depression is a medical condition that affects thinking, sleep, energy and daily life, and it responds to treatment. |
| IPT means blaming your family. | IPT focuses on understanding and improving relationships, not on blame. |
| Therapy replaces medicines. | Some people do well with therapy alone, others need medicines as well. The treating psychiatrist advises on this. |
| IPT takes years. | IPT is structured and time-limited, usually over a few months. |
| You have to talk about your childhood. | IPT stays with the present: current relationships, losses and changes. |
Interpersonal Therapy in Our Programs
IPT is offered as part of depression care at Calida Rehab, and is planned by the treating team around each person. [CONFIRM: program details]
Psychiatric Assessment and Medical Care
Treatment starts with an assessment by our psychiatry team. Where needed, medicines are advised alongside therapy. [CONFIRM]
Therapy, Family Support and Follow-up
IPT sessions are planned around one or two problem areas, with family involvement where helpful and follow-up after discharge. [CONFIRM]
When IPT Alone Is Not Enough
IPT is a talk therapy and works best inside full care:
- Severe depression or suicidal thoughts: these need urgent psychiatric assessment and treatment.
- Bipolar disorder or psychosis: a depressive episode in these conditions needs psychiatric assessment first, and therapy is added to medical care.
- Alcohol or drug dependence: withdrawal can be medically risky and needs supervised detoxification first.
- Medicines: where your psychiatrist advises antidepressants or other medicines, IPT is used alongside them.
Not sure whether care at home is enough? Read our guide on when to stay at home and when hospital care is needed.
If you are in danger right now
Call 112 for emergencies. Tele-MANAS, India’s government mental health helpline, is available on 14416. You can also call the Calida Rehab 24-hour confidential helpline shown on this page.
Sources and Further Reading
Clinical content reviewed by Dr. Prashant Dasud, M.D. (Psychiatry). This page is for information and is not a substitute for medical advice. [CONFIRM: review pending]
- Klerman, G. L., Weissman, M. M., Rounsaville, B. J., and Chevron, E. S. (1984). Interpersonal Psychotherapy of Depression. Basic Books.
- Weissman, M. M., Markowitz, J. C., and Klerman, G. L. (2000). Comprehensive Guide to Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Basic Books.
- Elkin, I., Shea, M. T., Watkins, J. T., et al. (1989). National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program: general effectiveness of treatments. Archives of General Psychiatry, 46(11), 971-982.
- Bolton, P., Bass, J., Neugebauer, R., et al. (2003). Group interpersonal psychotherapy for depression in rural Uganda: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 289(23), 3117-3124.
- Cuijpers, P., Geraedts, A. S., van Oppen, P., et al. (2011). Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression: a meta-analysis. American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(6), 581-592.
- World Health Organization (2016). Group Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for Depression. WHO, Geneva.
Take the First Step - Contact Calida Rehab
If you or a loved one is struggling with low mood, you do not have to wait for a crisis. Speak to our team for a confidential assessment.
Related therapies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Dialectical Behavioral Therapy | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy | Group Therapy | Family Therapy | Behavioral Therapy
Where we offer it (Pune and the Mumbai region)
Rehabilitation Centre for Depression in Pune | Rehab for Depression in Mumbai | Depression Treatment | Mental Hospital in Pune | Mental Hospital in Mumbai
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Patients Serviced with Complete Care
NABH
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170 +
Beds Capacity
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Residential Staff
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Treatments
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Interpersonal Therapy at Calida Rehab - FAQs
What is Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)?
IPT is a short, structured talk therapy for depression. It focuses on relationships and life events, such as grief, conflict, major changes and loneliness, and how they connect to mood.
How is IPT different from CBT?
CBT focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. IPT focuses on relationships and life situations. Both are well studied in depression, and at Calida Rehab they can be used together.
How long does IPT take?
IPT is time-limited. The number of sessions depends on the person and the problem area, and our team will discuss a plan after your assessment. [CONFIRM: typical session count]
What problems does IPT work on?
Four main areas: grief, role disputes (conflict), role transitions (major life changes) and interpersonal sensitivity (loneliness and difficulty with close relationships).
Is IPT only for depression?
IPT was designed for depression and has the strongest evidence there. It is also used for some other conditions, and our team will tell you whether it suits your situation.
Do I need medicines as well?
Not always. Some people do well with therapy alone, and others need medicines too. Your psychiatrist will advise after assessment.
Can family members be part of IPT?
Yes, where it helps. Relatives can join family therapy sessions to understand depression and learn how to support recovery. [CONFIRM]
Do I have to talk about my childhood?
No. IPT stays focused on the present: your current relationships, losses and changes.
What if I feel hopeless or think of harming myself?
Tell your therapist, psychiatrist or a family member right away. In an emergency, call 112. Tele-MANAS is available on 14416.
Where can I get IPT in Pune or Mumbai?
Calida Rehab offers IPT at our Pune centre and our Mumbai Region – Karjat centre. Call our helpline or fill in the admission form for a confidential assessment.
What Patients and Families Say About Calida Rehab
Read what people have shared about their experience with our team.
Experts Who Will Guide Your Recovery
Dr. Prashant Dasud
Designation: M.D. (Psychiatry)
Experience: 14+
Illnesses:
Depression & Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia & Psychotic Disorders, OCD, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Sleep Disorders
Geriatric Mental Health Issues
Dr. Santosh Pawar
Designation: M.D. (Radiodiagnosis)
Experience: 12+
Illnesses:
CT / MRI, Dementia & Memory Disorder, Neuro-radiological Evaluation, pine & Nerve Imaging,Head Injury & Neurological, Diagnostic Support for Mental Health
Dr. Neha Shetty
Designation: M.D. (Psychiatry)
Experience: 11+
Illnesses:
Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia & Psychosis, OCD, Drug Addiction,Mental Health Issues
