Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Late-life Depression and its Potential Application in China

Figures & data

Table 1 Main Tasks of Three Phases of IPT

Initial Phase	Middle Phase	Termination Phase
Assess the depression Educate about depression using medical model Assign the “sick role” Conduct the “interpersonal inventory” Determine the interpersonal focus of therapy Explain the treatment model Instill sense of positive expectation Set the treatment contract Evaluate the need for medication	Begin session by reviewing symptoms of depression (“How have you been since we last met?”) Link depressive symptoms to interpersonal context or interpersonal context to depressive symptoms Focus session on interpersonal problem area (grief, interpersonal disputes, role transitions, interpersonal deficits) Use strategies specific to each interpersonal problem area	Explicitly discuss end of treatment throughout therapy Discuss feelings about ending therapy and normalize them Review and consolidate therapeutic gains Discuss potential future interpersonal stressors and strategies to solve them Develop a contingency plan in the event of recurrence of depressive symptoms Review available interpersonal supports Consider maintenance IPT