Interpersonal Psychotherapy Training for Adolescents with Depression (IPT-A)

About this training

This six-day training, including two half-day refresher sessions, will provide a comprehensive introduction to the knowledge competencies of IPT-A for depression in adolescents and an introduction to the skills competencies, which will be developed more fully in supervised clinical casework.

The training aims to enable students to deliver IPT-A competently and creatively and to act as expert resources to professional colleagues, contributing to the development of appropriate care pathways for IPT-A and informed patient choice. This training is based on the overarching competency framework for children and young people.

The training has a broad theoretical base, reflecting the integration of medical and interpersonal models of depression. In addition to providing practical, intensive and detailed skills training, the training will aim to increase students’ knowledge base of theory and research in IPT-A.

This training will further introduce students to theories of evidence-based practice, feedback-informed practice, young people's participation, adolescents’ psychological development (social, emotional, moral) and Mentalization.

Trainees, working towards IPT UK accreditation following the training days, will be expected to participate in weekly supervision. Supervision will be given by an IPT UK accredited supervisor on four cases covering at least two different focus areas.

Aims of this training  

This training aims to equip students to become skilled and creative independent IPT-A practitioners in the context of service transformation, and to develop:

• practical skills in delivering IPT-A for depression

• practical competency in working collaboratively with parents, care providers and educational services as part of routine treatment of depression in young people

• skills in conceptualising and formulating from an interpersonal perspective and to develop a critical understanding of the parameters of such an approach

• knowledge of the theoretical origins and research literature relating to IPT-A for depression.

Who is this training for?

The training pre-requisites are:

• a professional mental health or psychological therapy qualification and accreditation with a professional body (e.g., HCPC, BPS)

• a minimum of two years post-qualification experience in conducting psychological therapy for young people with mental health problems

• current employment to deliver psychological therapy within a service or private practice for young people with mental health difficulties (at least 0.6 WTE clinical time)

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 Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners or Education Mental Health Practitioners.