What is it about?
Many people are interested in internet-delivered psychotherapy, but often prefer sessions with a therapist. The combination of face-to-face sessions with a therapist and active participation in an online program (a blended- format IPT) may offer the best of both worlds. This study tested blended-format interpersonal psychotherapy for depression in secondary mental health care.
Featured Image
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Blended-format IPT may empower patients as the treatment format is clear and structured and patients can work in their own time on their treatment. A therapist is available for support and working through important topics in face-to-face sessions. Blended format IPT may increase quality and cost-effectiveness of care. Also, when in person sessions are replaced by videoconfering sessions, travel issues may be overcome.
Perspectives
In our research group, much work has been done on internet-delivered psychotherapy (mainly based on cognitive behavioral therapy ). As an experienced IPT therapist, I was supporting the idea to create an internet-delivered version of IPT in a blended format, to be used in our secondary outpatient clinic for depression. We succeeded in translating IPT techniques and strategies into an online format and to learn therapists to give online feedback in combination with face-to-face sessions to let patients optimally benefit from the therapy . The blended-format was positively evaluated by patients as well as therapists.
Digna van Schaik
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Pilot Study of Blended-Format Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Major Depressive Disorder, American Journal of Psychotherapy, February 2023, American Psychiatric Association,
DOI: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20210061.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
