Interpersonal counselling in general practice.
BACKGROUND
Interpersonal counselling (IPC) derives from interpersonal psycho-therapy (IPT) but is briefer in the number and duration of sessions and is particularly suited to the primary care setting. While depression and other psychological symptoms are not necessarily 'caused' by interpersonal problems, they do occur in a social and interpersonal context. Problem areas commonly associated with the onset of depression are unresolved grief, interpersonal disputes, role transition and interpersonal deficits such as social isolation.


OBJECTIVE
This article discusses IPC and how it can be used in the general practice setting.


CONCLUSIONS
The structure of IPC is of a brief treatment of six sessions, each with an explicit focus: assessment, education about the interaction between interpersonal relationships and psychological symptoms, identifying current stress areas and helping the patient deal with these more positively and termination of the IPC relationship. Interpersonal counselling can be utilised general practice to reduce psychological symptoms, restore morale, improve self esteem and the quality of the patient's social adjustment and interpersonal relationships.
Judd
Fiona
F
Centre for Rural Mental Health, Bendigo Health Care Group, Monash University School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Victoria. fjudd@bendigohealth.org.au
Weissman
Myrna
M
Davis
Julian
J
Hodgins
Gene
G
Piterman
Leon
L
D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D012380:Role