Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a structured psychological treatment developed for the management of depressive disorder that has been further refined and evaluated in the treatment of older adults. IPT is based on attachment, communication and social theories and focuses on the interpersonal origins and effects of depression. In this chapter, the delivery of IPT is described and illustrated with a case example. The four possible foci in IPT (complicated bereavement, role transition, interpersonal disputes, and interpersonal deficits) are explained. The evidence base for the efficacy of IPT in late-life depression is reviewed, including the Maintenance Therapies in Late Life Depression trials. Newer applications, including care management interventions and the treatment of anxiety, are described.
