On-demand Training: Interpersonal therapy (IPT) - A practical, evidence-based approach

Facilitators: Cleo Haber, BSW, MSW, RSW

CE hours: 6

This training is suitable for:

• Mental Health Professionals:  psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, social workers
• Medical Professionals: nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians, family doctors

Client category: Professionals working with youth (16+) and adult clients

Level of training: Introductory

Trigger Warning: Participating in our programming may evoke powerful feelings and can trigger participants who have experienced personal trauma. 

Description:

Build clinical confidence with structured, practical tools rooted in attachment and relational theory to treat mood and anxiety disorders  in diverse client populations. Learn key IPT tasks and focal areas including grief, role transitions, interpersonal disputes, and social isolation.

IPT is an evidenced based psychotherapy, providing a practical framework for working with clients presenting with mood and anxiety disorders and is especially effective when relational distress is central to the presenting issues.  It is culturally adaptable and relationally attuned—rooted in attachment theory and relational theory.

This one-day webinar is designed for front-line workers and mental health clinicians who work with youth (16+) and adult clients in a variety of settings. Participants will learn the basic principles of IPT and how to structure a course of IPT psychotherapy. The programming will cover the beginning, middle and end-phase tasks of IPT therapy.  Participants will learn about the focal areas specific to IPT—Grief and Loss, Role Transitions, Interpersonal Disputes and Interpersonal Deficits/Social Isolation and the interventions best suited to each focal area.

The workshop will use video, small group discussion, role-play, experiential learning and didactic teaching methods.

"In this IPT workshop you will sharpen core skills—like communication analysis and interpersonal mapping—that you can apply right away in your sessions. It will also show you how to guide clients through conflict, loss, and change with clarity and compassion.” - Cleo Haber.

Learning objectives:

• Learn the beginning, middle and end-phase tasks in IPT therapy.
• Learn the IPT focal areas and clinical interventions associated with each of them.
• Practice evidence-informed strategies/interventions from IPT to address mood and anxiety disorders.

Program Outline:

• Learn the beginning, middle and end phase tasks of IPT psychotherapy.
• Formulation and assessment through an attachment lens.
• IPT interventions for beginning phase tasks: closeness circle.
• Video demonstration of closeness circle.
• Role play practice with IPT interventions.
• Questions and discussion.
• Learn middle phase interventions in IPT: Grief & Loss, Role Transitions, Interpersonal Disputes.
• Watch video demonstrations of these key interventions.
• Learn end-phase tasks: The good good-bye.
• Practice: role-plays in triads.
• Questions and discussion.

If you work with clients experiencing mood or anxiety disorders, especially where relationships are a core concern, this training will equip you with structured, practical tools grounded in attachment and relational theory. Learn the key tasks and focal areas of IPT—grief and loss, role transitions, interpersonal disputes, and social isolation—and gain hands-on experience with evidence-informed interventions.

Register today to enhance your clinical skill set and provide more focused, effective care in your setting.

This program was originally recorded on November 7, 2025.

Event updated April 10, 2026.