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