In the 1970's, interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) was developed for time-limited treatment of major depression. Since then, IPT has seen success in several research trials for use in treating subtype mood disorders as well as non-mood disorders. With rising economic pressures, interpersonal psychotherapy has gained attention as a proven time-limited treatment for specific psychiatric disorders. Interpersonal Psychotherapy compiles the results of several recent research studies on this popular subject. This reference discusses important developments in interpersonal psychotherapy research and its translation into clinical practice. It describes typical phases of treatments and highlights applications for patient populations, which have seen positive results from interpersonal psychotherapy. The author documents current and likely future roles of interpersonal psychotherapy in clinical practice. The book's many contributors provide an in-depth look at interpersonal psychotherapy applications for depressed adolescents, patients suffering from recurrent depression, bulimia nervosa sufferers, and HIV-positive patients suffering from depression. The volume includes an overview of the history of interpersonal psychotherapy; it describes concepts and techniques of IPT; it discusses the current status of IPT adaptation; it provides evidence of study results; and it includes a thorough reference listing to guide you to further research. Complete with charted research results, this comprehensive resource provides invaluable information on recent developments in interpersonal psychotherapy.

This timely, highly readable and clinically useful book. It is one of the very best reviews of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) that has been published. In an age of increasing accountability in psychotherapy, the authors have conveyed the exceptional efficacy and effectiveness of this time-limited psychotherapy in the treatment of acute and chronic disorders. The liberal use of clinical case descriptions allows the reader an opportunity to witness how skilled IPT practitioners conceptualize their therapeutic relationships and the techniques they employ in treating their patients.

Markowitz and his colleagues have provided a very important service to both researchers and clinicians in their review of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). The increasing popularity and widespread application of IPT reflects both scientific advances and therapeutic successes. The authors provide a selected but highly relevant update on the efficacy of IPT and its successful transformation from research intervention into widespread clinical practice. Both short-term and long-term applications of IPT, as well as its extension across the entire life cycle, should lead to a better use of psychotherapeutic intervention as a viable alternative and in combination with psychopharmacologic intervention in many psychiatric conditions. David J. Kupfer, M.D., Thomas Detre Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Director of Research, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic