Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) - Level A

This five-day course provides introductory training for practitioners in IPT and reflects the IPT competency framework (see link below). It covers the theory and application of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) including principles of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. This course is accredited with IPTUK and IPT Scotland. This course qualifies participants for Level A (Basic) training in IPT.

Course datesMonday 18th September 2023 - Friday 22nd September 2023
Course credits20
Course deliveryIn person workshops (5 full days)
Academic co-ordinatorDr Fiona Duffy

Course description

Interpersonal Psychotherapy provides a pragmatic, time-limited and focused approach to the treatment of major depression. It is modest in its use of psychotherapy jargon and promotes attention to the relationship-based issues that are central to the experience of many depressed patients. Instead of over-focusing on causation, it attends to difficulties arising in the daily experience of maintaining relationships and resolving difficulties while suffering an episode of major depression.

The fundamental clinical task of IPT is to help patients to learn to link mood with interpersonal contacts, and to recognise that, by appropriately addressing interpersonal situations, they may simultaneously improve both their relationships and depressive state.

The five day course will provide experienced mental health professionals with an introduction to the IPT model. The course will cover the knowledge competencies for IPT with depression and an introduction to the skills competencies, which will can be developed more fully in supervised clinical casework. 

The course is delivered using a combination of didactic teaching and practice-based exercises, making use of current research, case-studies and role-plays to develop a robust understanding of the principles of IPT and confidence in skills.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Students will have an understanding of the psychological models and scientific principles underlying interpersonal psychotherapy
  • Students will be knowledgeable about the application of IPT theory and practice with a variety of presenting problems and groups

Course delivery and assessment

Each day runs from 9.30am to 5pm.

Assessment is normally one case conceptualisation of approximately 4000 words.

Additional entry requirements

Applicants should have a mental health qualification and at least two years post qualification experience of providing psychological therapy for people with mental health problems. Applicants, who have completed two years full time training in delivering psychological therapies e.g. final year clinical psychology trainees, are also welcome to apply. Applicants with a range of training backgrounds are welcome e.g. clinical and counselling psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists, psychiatrists, nurse therapists, social workers, occupational therapists, and GP’s. The course is not suitable for applicants who wish to acquire basic therapeutic skills.

Applicants should complete the School of Health in Social Science CPD application form and email to [email protected]

The fee for the academic year 2023-4 is £1,445.

How to Apply

Please complete the application form and send it to the relevant team:

For Understanding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, The Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Advanced Case Formulation in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, please contact [email protected].

For Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Fundamentals of CBT for Children and Young People and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), please contact [email protected]

For all other courses please contact [email protected]