Interpersonal therapy is most often used on a one-on-one basis to treat depression. IPT is based on the idea that improving communication patterns and the ways people relate to each other will effectively treat depression (“Psychotherapies,” n.d.). By addressing interpersonal issues, interpersonal therapy for depression puts emphasis on the way symptoms are related to a person’s relationships, including family and peers (“Interpersonal Therapy,” n.d.). The immediate goals of treatment are rapid symptom reduction and improved social adjustment. The long-term goal is to enable people with depression to make their own needed adjustments. When they can do that, they are better able to cope with and reduce depressive …show more content…
It is the job of the therapist to look at recent incidents and past incidents of disordered communication to detect difficulties and explore alternate and more effective ways of communicating (Robertson, Rushton, Wurm, 2008). Communication analysis often leads on to other techniques such as problem solving and role-play. I think role playing would be beneficial for Alan, to help him problem solve and figure out what is getting in the way of him talking to Lani about his feelings. The therapist and Alan could work out possible scenarios of how he could approach Lani in a respectful way, and convey his feelings to