Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) Training: Perinatal
This six-day course provides introductory training for practitioners working in perinatal specialist services in Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT).
Register Your Interest for IPT Training 2025–2026
We're now collecting expressions of interest for our 2025–2026 Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) training. If you're interested in joining the next cohort, please fill in this short form.
About this training
This six-day training, including two half-day refresher sessions, is designed for practitioners working in perinatal specialist services and is the first step to becoming an IPT practitioner. The training reflects the IPT competency framework, and the trainers are accredited with IPT UK.
Two of the trainers are perinatal leads working in specialist services and the third has conducted specialist IPT training and research with perinatal practitioners. Standard IPT practitioner training has been adapted to reflect the evidence base for IPT used perinatally, collected over more than 20 years, and the specific challenges of perinatal care.
The training is delivered through a mix of didactic sessions, small and large group work and clinical examples and role play.
Trainees will be expected to participate in weekly supervision and work towards completion of IPT UK Accreditation for Practitioner Training in Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression Level B. Supervision will be provided by an IPT UK accredited supervisor on four cases covering at least two different focus areas.
This training aims to:
provide experienced mental health professionals with an introduction to the IPT model and its use within perinatal specialist services
cover the knowledge competencies for IPT with depression and an introduction to the skills competencies, which will be developed more fully in supervised clinical casework.
Who is this training for?
This training is open to those working in Perinatal Specialist Services.
The training pre-requisites are:
evidence of completing a course of study in a model of psychological therapy
a minimum two years of post-qualification experience delivering psychological therapy
at least two years of employment in a within a specialist perinatal service for adults with mental health difficulties (at least 0.6 WTE clinical contact time)
at least one of the following:
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive (BABCP) Accredited
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Accredited
British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) Registered
Health and Care Professions Council registered as a clinical, counselling or forensic psychologist
National Counselling Society (NCS) Accredited Professional registrants
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered as a Psychotherapist or Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
In the following cases applicants must evidence in addition (via supervisor report) that they have a minimum of 100 clinical hours of providing a recognized individual psychological therapy with adults:
Professional registration as Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists registered with the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists (ACP)
Art, Drama or Music Therapists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Psychiatrists registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and having completed Higher Specialist Training in psychotherapy.
The training is not suitable for applicants who wish to acquire basic therapeutic skills. IPT is not a Step 2 intervention, and therefore not suitable for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
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"It was really good training which spelled out well how to go about therapy the IPT way. The supporting worksheets are really useful. It's reassuring to have access to the materials for an extended period." Participant, January 2024
"Excellent theory-practice links and freedom to open up discussion at any point in the presentations." Participant, January 2024
"I really liked Angela Wood’s teaching style. She adapted to the needs of the group and answered questions thoroughly. I also liked the opportunity to practice strategies. The content of the course was also very informative and I liked that teaching was divided into learning about the different phases of IPT. The videos and live case example role plays were particularly useful because it helped to demystify what is actually done in IPT sessions." Participant, March 2024
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Please note if you are successful in gaining a place on the training you will be sent pre-training work to be completed which will take approximately 5 hours.
You will be required to attend a live, online introductory session
You will receive access to pre-recorded lectures and video material one week before the course. The course will consist of three live sessions a day (each session will last for approximately 1 - 2 hrs) and self-guided learning. Networking group sessions will also be incorporated.
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NHSE Funded places for Perinatal Specialist Services
Step 1: Application Form - Applicants for NHSE funded places should complete this application form. Complete applications should be submitted in one email to IPT@annafreud.org.
Step 2: Wait for Confirmation - We will inform you via email if your application is approved.
Step 3: Payment - Once your application is approved you will be sent a voucher code allowing you to book your free place.
Non-funded applicants
Priority will be given to applicants with NHSE funded places, but if commissioned places are not all taken up, self-funding applications will be considered.
Step 1: Application Form - Self-funded applicants must fill in this application form. Completed applications should be submitted in one email to IPT@annafreud.org.
Step 2: Wait for Confirmation - We will inform you via email if your application is approved.
Step 3: Payment - Once your application is approved payment details must be provided. Please pay via the book now button.
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This training provides the first stage in working towards becoming an IPTUK Accredited IPT Practitioner. Following attendance on the training those wishing to become IPT practitioners are required to undertake supervision with an IPTUK accredited Supervisor.
NHS Talking Therapies staff must arrange supervision that follows the IPT NHS Talking Therapies protocol and must confirm the supervision arrangement before attending the course. Supervision must be arranged directly with the supervisor and will involve an additional fee. Supervision can be provided face to face or remotely e.g. telephone, Skype. Trainees can be directed to qualified supervisors across the IPTUK network.
Accreditation to practitioner level requires four cases to be supervised, with recorded sessions reviewed. Each case runs for 16 sessions (unless they are CAMHS cases, in which case it is 12 sessions). We suggest leaving a one month gap between starting each case, picking up a new case when the formulation has been agreed on the previous one. Trainees will be required to submit digital recordings of therapy sessions as well as written and verbal reports.
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The online platform Zoom will be used to deliver this training. Prior to booking on, please ensure you meet the system requirements so you're able to join this training.
Before the training, please test your equipment is working by going to Zoom.us/test and follow the instructions.
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Upon booking, you will be asked to confirm that you have read and accept our terms and conditions and our privacy notice. Please read these documents before booking:
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