Developing and evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) interventions

This project involves evaluating several interventions based on Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT).

We have a number of ongoing studies which focus on evaluating the use of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) interventions as treatments for conditions such as depression, trauma and eating disorders. 

Our Studies:

Comparison of the effectiveness of TF-CBT and IPT based group intervention on psychosocial functioning in adolescents exposed to interpersonal trauma

This study is evaluating the effect of two modalities of group interventions (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based and Interpersonal Therapy based) on stabilization psychosocial functioning in adolescents exposed to interpersonal trauma.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Body Image (IPT-BI)

This study is evaluating a new body image intervention for young people who are worried about their appearance. This programme is called Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Body Image (IPT-BI) and is designed to help young people develop the skills to navigate difficulties in relationships that are affected their body image (e.g., bullying, conflict with family, fat talk).  

IPT for non-underweight eating disorders in adolescents

We are currently developing an IPT protocol for non-underweight eating disorders in adolescence (e.g. binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED etc.).  The aim is to pilot this work within the context of a feasibility and acceptability study within a clinical population  

A systematic review of mediators and moderators of treatment outcomes for Interpersonal Psychotherapy for adolescent depression

We are investigating how and for whom, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for adolescents (aged 12-20) works. Our specific questions are: 1) what are the mechanisms through which IPT might be working for adolescents (i.e., mediators),and 2) for which groups of adolescents does IPT work better (i.e., moderators)? We will investigate these two questions fora) group and b) individual IPT formats, as well as among c) clinically depressed and d) sub-threshold populations.

Funded by: University of Edinburgh Innovations Initiative Grant and Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID)