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IPT for therapists: training, associations, videos and tests

IPT (interpersonal psychotherapy) is a time-limited, manualized method developed for major depression and later adapted to other disorders. The therapist and the client choose one of four interpersonal problem areas and work on it, aiming to improve relationships and ease symptoms.

The method in short

Authors
Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman; the first randomized trial was published in 1974
Format
Time-limited: originally 12 to 16 weekly individual sessions of 45 to 50 minutes
Problem areas
Grief, role dispute, role transition, interpersonal deficits

Primary sources: ISIPT: overview of IPT, ISIPT: key IPT strategies, IPT Institute: certification levels

We give you information and answer for how we select it. Check terms, prices and dates with the organiser.

IPT training

We do not run courses. Each programme has a link to the organiser and a check date.

IPT Institute, USA

IPT Level A training and the certification pathway

The institute’s basic course is 16 hours, live online or in person, with video review, small groups and skills practice. Perinatal IPT and IPT for Adolescents count as Level A equivalents. Later steps are community-based case supervision with two rated portfolios, then certified therapist, supervisor and instructor levels.

Format
Live online or in person
Language
English
For
Training is open to all clinicians and students; Level A certification asks for professional clinical training in mental health and familiarity with the IPT textbook
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

Anna Freud, London, UK

Interpersonal Psychotherapy Practitioner Training (IPT)

A six-day introductory course (five teaching days are compulsory, two half-day refreshers are included) aligned with the IPT competency framework, taught by IPT UK accredited trainers. It covers Level A training, and supervision on four cases can follow towards IPT UK accreditation.

Format
See the organiser
Language
English
For
A course of study in a psychological therapy model, at least two years of post-qualification experience delivering therapy and a listed accreditation or registration (for example BABCP, GMC or HCPC); the page has the full list
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

University of Edinburgh, School of Health in Social Science, UK

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) - Level A

A five-day in-person introductory course worth 20 credits. The page says it is accredited with IPT UK and IPT Scotland and qualifies participants for Level A (Basic) training; assessment is a case conceptualisation of about 4000 words.

Format
In person, five full days
Language
English
For
A mental health qualification and at least two years of post-qualification experience of providing psychological therapy; not suited to those who want to acquire basic therapeutic skills
Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

IPT UK, United Kingdom

IPT practitioner training and accreditation standards (Levels A to D)

The UK association’s route to becoming an accredited IPT practitioner: read the IPT manual, attend a recognised practitioner course, then complete supervised cases with a Level D supervisor (four cases, or three in some cases after a review). The site says the introductory courses it advertises count towards Level A.

Format
Courses by providers, supervision by accredited supervisors
Language
English
For
An existing qualification in a mental health profession, good knowledge of mood disorders and previous experience of psychological therapy

Listed byIPT UK accreditation standards

Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

ISIPT, international

Worldwide IPT Trainings List

The society’s list of IPT trainings by country and city, with the people who teach them. It carries no course dates, so confirm with each organiser that a training is still running.

Format
See each provider
Language
English and other languages, depending on the country
For
Set by each training

Listed byISIPT list of trainings

Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

How to choose a programme

  • Recognition. A professional association registry or an accredited provider list.
  • Practice. Hours under supervision and live discussion of your own cases.
  • Teachers. Experience in this particular method.
  • Outcome. A certificate, a path to certification or only knowledge.
  • Entry. Whether you need a base qualification and proof of practice.

IPT videos

All videos on methods

What is interpersonal psychotherapy?

Channel: Oxford Academic (Oxford University Press) · Checked: November 1, 2026

Myrna Weissman, one of the developers of IPT, gives a short introduction to the method and says how it was developed. The ISIPT overview page links to this video.

Open on YouTube ↗

Interpersonal Psychotherapy training

Channel: Anna Freud · Checked: November 1, 2026

A two-minute introduction to the centre’s IPT training for professionals. The description presents IPT as a treatment that looks at the link between mood and relationships. The video description links to the centre’s training pages.

Open on YouTube ↗

IPT associations and institutes

Practitioner registries, training standards, conferences. The links go to official sites; the descriptions are ours.

international

ISIPT, International Society of Interpersonal Psychotherapy

A non-profit society that certifies IPT therapists, supervisors and trainers, publishes a worldwide list of IPT trainings, runs regional chapters and holds an international conference. Certification requires ISIPT membership.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

USA, international

IPT Institute International

An institute for IPT training and research, founded in 2009. It runs Level A and advanced courses, certifies clinicians, supervisors and instructors at five levels (A to E) and keeps a directory of certified IPT clinicians.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

United Kingdom

IPT UK

The UK association for IPT: accreditation standards for practitioners and supervisors (Levels A to D), a searchable list of accredited therapists and a page of recognised practitioner training courses.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

Tests and scales for IPT

All tests

Short scales to see the starting level and change over time. They are screening, not a diagnosis.

Many tests can be sent to a client as a link (a button on the test page), and the result comes to your email. If answers show signs of risk, the test shows help lines.

IPT questions

How do I choose an IPT training?

Check that the course is recognised by an IPT body (ISIPT, IPT Institute, IPT UK or a national chapter), how many teaching hours it has (the IPT Institute Level A course is 16 hours) and whether supervised casework is available, because that is what leads to certification.

How is IPT different from psychodynamic therapy?

IPT comes from the interpersonal school, which puts interpersonal conflict, not intrapsychic conflict, at the centre. The therapist chooses one of four problem areas and works on it within a time frame defined from the start.

Which scales are used with IPT?

In IPT Institute Level B portfolios the PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 are given at intake and every four sessions. Both are on our site and can be sent to a client as a link.

What do I need to train or get certified in IPT?

It depends on the country and the provider. For ISIPT therapist certification the requirements include a terminal degree or a clinical licence, 150 hours of supervised training, a 16-hour introductory course with an endorsed trainer and three supervised cases of at least eight sessions each. Read the entry requirements on each programme page.

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