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.


METHODS
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.
Markowitz
J C
JC
Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York, USA. jcmarko@mail.med.cornell.edu
D000328:Adult; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D013663:Teaching