Group interpersonal psychotherapy

Domain V · Systemic, relational, group & community · Verdeli, Clougherty, Weissman · 2000

What it is

Group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-G) is interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) delivered to a small group. It keeps individual IPT's structure and focus: depression is linked to a current problem in relationships or social roles, and one or two of four problem areas becomes the focus: grief,…

Format

• Pre-group phase (individual meeting). Goals: recognise depression and start treating it (assess symptoms and functioning, name depression without blame, give hope, set up the sick role, mobilise resources); screen out imminent suicide risk, psychosis, harmful alcohol or drug use, severe…
• Initial phase (Session 1). Goals: introductions, confidentiality norms, group psychoeducation about depression, instilling hope (about 30 min); linking each member's problems to depression and reviewing goals (about 45 min); explaining how the group will work (about 15 min).

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• IPT-G is a manualised therapy, not a licensed programme. The WHO version was written for supervised facilitators who may have no mental health training, and WHO lists IPT as a possible first-line treatment for depression. The WHO manual sets training and supervision standards rather than a licence: trainers must have supervised at least three full groups; new facilitators are supervised through at least three…

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Is there physical contact? Was it explained beforehand, and do you feel free to say no or stop at any point?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Does it involve intense or unusual breathing? Have you been told about the medical conditions for which that is not advised?
• Is it a group, retreat or community? How do they respond if someone wants to leave or raises a concern?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• feelings that overwhelm; see 5.
• the group choosing for the member.
• blame; keep it on what can be changed.
• distress during the role play; stop and debrief.
• members whose scores have not improved: refer on.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.