Interpersonal Psychotherapy Training for Adolescents with Depression (IPT-A) UK

About this course

This six-day course, including one follow up refresher day, will provide a comprehensive introduction to the knowledge competencies of IPT-A for depression in adolescents and an introduction to the skills competencies, which will be developed more fully in supervised clinical casework. The course aims to enable  students to deliver IPT-A competently and creatively and to act as expert resources to professional colleagues, contributing to the development of appropriate  care pathways for IPT-A and informed patient choice.  This course is based on the overarching competency framework for CYP IAPT : http://www.ucl.ac.uk/clinical-psychology/CORE/child-adolescent-competences/CAMHS%20Competences%20Framework_V1%20(2).pdf

The course has a broad theoretical base, reflecting the integration of medical and interpersonal models of depression.  In addition to providing practical, intensive and detailed skills training, the course will aim to increase students’ knowledge base of theory and research in IPT-A. This course will further introduce students to theories of evidence based practice, feedback informed practice, young people’s participation, adolescents’ psychological development (social, emotional, moral) and Mentalization.

Aims of the course

It aims to equip students to become skilled and creative independent IPT-A practitioners in the context of service transformation and:

• To develop practical skills in delivering IPT-A for depression.
• To develop practical competency in working collaboratively with parents and educational services as part of routine treatment of depression in young people
• To develop practice skills in conceptualizing and formulating from an interpersonal perspective and to develop a critical understanding of the parameters of such an approach
• To develop critical knowledge of the theoretical origins and research literature relating to IPT-A for depression.

Who is the course suitable for?

Applicants should have a mental health qualification and at least two years post qualification experience of providing psychological therapy for young people with mental health problems. Applicants, who have completed two years full time training in delivering psychological therapies e.g. final year clinical psychology trainees, are also welcome to apply. Applicants with a range of training backgrounds are welcome e.g. clinical and counselling psychologists, counsellors, child psychotherapists, psychiatrists, nurse therapists, social workers, and GP’s. The course is not suitable for applicants who wish to acquire basic therapeutic skills.

Accreditation

The course provides the first stage in working towards becoming an IPTUK Accredited IPT Practitioner. Following attendance on the course those wishing to become IPT practitioners are required to undertake supervision with an IPTUK accredited Supervisor. IAPT staff must arrange supervision that follows the IPT IAPT protocol and must confirm the supervision arrangement before attending the course. Supervision must be arranged directly with the supervisor and will involve an additional fee. Supervision can be provided face to face or remotely e.g. telephone, Skype. Trainees can be directed to qualified supervisors across the IPTUK network.

Accreditation to practitioner level requires four cases to be supervised, with recorded sessions reviewed. Each case runs for 12 sessions. We suggest leaving a one month gap between starting each case, picking up a new case when the formulation has been agreed on the previous one. Trainees will be required to submit digital recordings of therapy sessions as well as written and verbal reports.