What is Interpersonal Therapy?

Interpersonal Therapy (ITP) is a therapeutic modality that draws upon on a number of techniques from the eclectic field of Psychology. Interpersonal Therapy (ITP) is however primarily focused on the relationships the patient has with other people. As such Interpersonal Therapy (ITP) is a therapeutic modality that is particularly interested in the impact significant people in a patients life have had on their mental health.

Unsurprisingly Interpersonal Therapy (ITP) also recognises the importance of the relationship between the Psychologist and the patient. In doing so Interpersonal Therapy (ITP) draws upon and utilises one of the most important concepts in Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, namely the transference relationship. 

All Psychologists working at The Melbourne Centre of Psychotherapy can fairly describe themselves as offering Interpersonal Therapy (ITP). We offer this modality first and foremost because we recognise the importance of interpersonal relationships. We can also be described as ITP practitioners because we like to draw on a variety of different therapeutic tools as needed. We are eclectic rather than purists in that we see value in the cognitive and behavioural schools of Psychology and most of us utilise techniques from these specific schools when it is in a patients best interest. Others of us, although working predominately from a psychoanalytic perspective, draw on techniques from attachment theory and depth psychology.

The modular nature of Interpersonal Therapy (ITP) is arguably one of the reasons it is a Medicare recognised rebatable therapy for patients who have a mental health care plan. ITP works because it is modular and hence it has gained easy recognition as an evidence based therapy.

For every Psychologist offering Interpersonal Therapy (ITP) at The Melbourne Centre of Psychotherapy, the therapeutic flavour is different and furthermore each Psychologists way of applying Interpersonal Therapy (ITP) is unique and tailored to fit each individual patient. Each of are very comfortable in the interpersonal space because of our interest and training in Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.