What is Interpersonal Therapy and how does it work?

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a type of talk therapy that helps you feel better by focusing on your current relationships, how you connect with others, where tension lives, and how those connections affect your emotional well-being.

The idea behind IPT is simple: when our relationships are strong and supportive, we tend to feel more grounded. But when those relationships feel strained or distant, it can be hard to feel okay, especially when we’re already going through something difficult.

Unlike some other forms of therapy that dig into early life experiences, IPT keeps the focus on the present. It’s a practical and structured approach that typically lasts 12–16 sessions. And throughout that time, the goal is to help you build stronger, healthier relationships and feel better in the process.

TL;DR:

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a short-term, structured form of talk therapy that focuses on improving your relationships to help you feel better emotionally. It’s especially helpful when your mood is affected by grief, life transitions, or conflicts with people you care about. Instead of diving deep into your past, IPT focuses on the present, helping you strengthen communication, navigate conflict, and build a support system that truly supports you.

What issues does IPT help with?

IPT was originally developed for depression, but it’s now used to treat a variety of mental health concerns, including:

• Depression, especially when tied to relationship difficulties or loss
• Anxiety disorders, including social anxiety and generalised anxiety
• Eating disorders, like binge-eating or bulimia
• PTSD, particularly when trauma impacts current relationships
• Bipolar disorder, as part of a broader treatment plan

It’s also helpful across life stages, from teenagers navigating peer pressure and family dynamics, to older adults experiencing retirement, loneliness, or loss.

What does a typical IPT session look like?

Your first sessions are all about getting to know you — what relationships feel supportive, which ones feel heavy, and where you’re currently struggling. With your therapist, you’ll decide on one or two key areas to focus on. These usually fall into four categories:

1. Grief and loss

Coping with the death of a loved one or another major loss, such as a breakup or estrangement.

2. Role disputes

Working through ongoing conflicts or miscommunications with someone important in your life.

3. Role transitions

Adjusting to a major life change, becoming a parent, changing jobs, retiring, or moving to a new place.

4. Interpersonal deficits

Building your ability to connect with others when you’re feeling isolated, withdrawn, or socially unsure.

As therapy progresses, you’ll explore the emotional patterns that show up in your relationships. You’ll practice clearer communication, healthier conflict resolution, and new ways of strengthening your support system. The work is deep, but the tools are practical and designed to help you long after therapy ends.

Who is IPT for and is it right for me?

If your emotional struggles feel connected to the people around you. Whether through grief, change, conflict, or distance. IPT might be a great fit.

It’s especially helpful if you:

• Find it hard to talk openly with people you care about
• Avoid conflict or feel overwhelmed by it
• Struggle after losing someone important
• Feel like you’re in a life transition with no emotional roadmap
• Want a focused, short-term therapy with clear goals

A therapist trained in IPT can help you decide if this approach fits your needs. You don’t have to know all the answers. You just have to start the conversation.

What makes IPT different from other therapies?

IPT is:

• Present-focused: It deals with what’s happening in your relationships right now
• Structured and short-term: Usually 12–16 sessions with clear goalsCollaborative: You and your therapist are a team
• Emotionally practical: You’ll learn skills you can use right away in daily life

Rather than analysing childhood experiences, IPT looks at how your current life is affecting your mental health and how strengthening your connections can help you feel more stable and supported.

How to get started with interpersonal therapy

If IPT sounds like it could be helpful, the first step is finding a therapist who’s trained in the approach and feels right for you. At Meela, we match you with kind, experienced therapists who specialize in approaches like IPT and who truly get what you’re going through.

We believe the right therapy should feel safe, empowering, and human. You shouldn’t have to navigate it all alone.