Interpersonal Psychotherapy · Regent Street · Online
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) in Central London
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that explores the connection between mood, significant relationships and important changes in life. Sessions are available in Central London and online.
Mood understood through relationships and life events.
Understanding mood in its interpersonal context
How we feel is often closely connected to what is happening in our relationships and social world. Loss, conflict, isolation or a major change in role can place considerable pressure on mood, while depression may in turn make it harder to communicate, seek support or remain connected.
IPT helps identify the interpersonal context in which difficulties developed or are being maintained. The aim is not to assign blame, but to understand what is happening and develop more effective ways of navigating relationships and change.
A clear and collaborative focus
Following an initial assessment, IPT usually focuses on one main interpersonal area: grief following a significant loss, a difficult life transition, an interpersonal dispute, or longstanding difficulty forming and sustaining supportive relationships.
Sessions are active, collaborative and purposeful. We review mood and recent interpersonal events, strengthen communication and support, and work towards changes that can continue beyond therapy.
Specialist training within an integrative practice
My specialist IPT training complements my wider experience as an Integrative Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. This broader clinical foundation supports careful assessment and helps ensure that IPT is offered when it is appropriate to your needs.
I am registered with Interpersonal Psychotherapy UK and practise with regular clinical supervision and ongoing professional development.
From a life transition to a focused IPT formulation
An illustrative example might be someone whose mood deteriorates after becoming a parent, leaving a familiar professional role and feeling less connected to friends and a partner. IPT would explore the losses, expectations and relationship changes within this transition, then focus on communication, support and a more workable sense of the new role. This example is illustrative and is not based on a specific client.
The opening assessment includes a careful account of current mood, significant relationships and recent life events, often supported by an interpersonal inventory and appropriate mood measures. This helps identify a primary IPT focus and provides a clear basis for reviewing change during the middle and ending phases.
WHO THIS MAY SUIT
IPT may be helpful when mood is connected to relationships or change.
Depression and low moodGrief and bereavementLife and role transitionsInterpersonal conflict and disputesLoneliness and social isolationDifficulty connecting with othersParenthood and family transitionsRelationship changes and endings
WHAT SESSIONS INVOLVE
Opening, middle and ending phases.
01
Opening sessions: assessment and interpersonal inventory
We explore current mood, significant relationships and important life events, then agree the interpersonal area most closely connected to the difficulty.
02
Middle phase: active interpersonal work
Sessions examine recent interactions, emotions and communication, with purposeful work on grief, disputes, role transitions or interpersonal sensitivity.
03
Ending phase: consolidation and future planning
The final phase reviews changes, strengthens supportive relationships and identifies how you will recognise and respond to future difficulties independently.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Focus, duration and therapeutic fit.
What makes IPT different from other therapies?+
IPT has a specific focus on the relationship between mood and current interpersonal life. It is structured around an agreed interpersonal focus while remaining responsive to your individual circumstances.
Is IPT time-limited?+
IPT is usually offered as a focused, time-limited therapy. The appropriate number and frequency of sessions are considered after assessment and agreed with you.
Is IPT the same as couples therapy?+
No. IPT is ordinarily an individual therapy that considers how relationships and life events affect mood. Couples psychotherapy is a separate form of work involving both partners.
How many IPT sessions are usually offered?+
IPT is commonly organised as a focused, time-limited treatment, often over approximately 12–16 sessions. The precise format and frequency depend on assessment, clinical need and the agreed interpersonal focus.
How is progress reviewed in IPT?+
We review mood, the agreed interpersonal focus and changes in communication, support and relationships. Appropriate mood measures may be used alongside clinical discussion to guide the work and prepare for ending.
Who may need a different form of treatment?+
IPT is most suitable when mood difficulties are meaningfully connected to grief, conflict, role change or interpersonal patterns. Assessment may indicate that another therapy or a different level of support would be more appropriate.
Initial consultation
Request an initial consultation.
Share your contact details, preferred appointment format and a brief overview of what you would like to address. No detailed clinical history is needed by email. I will reply within two working days regarding the next suitable step.