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