Interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A)

Abstract

This chapter highlights depression in adolescence, which is common and if untreated can result in impairment in functioning across multiple domains. It discusses the adaptation of interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A) for treating adolescents ages 12 through 18 years of age with unipolar depression. It also examines developmental adaptations that address the parental role in treatment and adolescent tasks of individuation and establishing autonomy from parents. The chapter describes transitions, such as parental divorce, changing schools or childhood home, and the initial experiences with grief. It details the effectivity in reducing depression and improving social and global functioning in studies of depressed adolescents in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Australia.