Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) addresses emotional infidelity through its strong evidence base: most emotional infidelity is connected to relationship problems, and improving relationships improves emotional infidelity.
The Four IPT Focus Areas for Emotional Infidelity
IPT targets one of four interpersonal problem areas that typically accompany emotional infidelity:
- Grief: Loss and bereavement contributing to emotional infidelity
- Role disputes: Conflicts in important relationships driving emotional infidelity
- Role transitions: Life changes creating adjustment-related emotional infidelity
- Interpersonal deficits: Limited social skills or relationships sustaining emotional infidelity
IPT vs. CBT for Emotional Infidelity
While CBT targets thoughts and behaviors, IPT targets relationships and communication. Both are highly effective for emotional infidelity — the best choice depends on the primary driver.
What IPT for Emotional Infidelity Looks Like
IPT for emotional infidelity typically runs 12-20 sessions, with early sessions identifying the interpersonal focus area, middle sessions working on it, and later sessions consolidating gains.