Dr. Sylvia Gindy, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Tal Gershon, LMHC
Mental Health Counselor
Valerie Graf, LMSW
Licensed Master Social Worker
Flor Villagrán, LMHC
Mental Health Counselor
Adeyemi Aladenika, LMHC
Mental Health Counselor
Are you struggling to make new friends, form healthy relationships, or otherwise connect with people in your life?
As it turns out, the quality of relationships in your life tend to have a dramatic effect on your happiness. If your interpersonal relationships are suffering, Interpersonal Therapy may be a good option for you.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that can help you improve your relationships and communication skills. At Looking Glass NYC, we offer expert interpersonal therapy services to help you enhance your connections with others. Our team of experienced therapists will work with you to identify and address the underlying causes of your issues, so that you can start living a more fulfilling life.
We understand how difficult it can be to open up about your struggles, which is why we create a safe and supportive environment for all our clients. With our help, you can learn how to better manage your emotions and develop healthier relationships with those around you.
If you’re looking for interpersonal therapy services in NYC, look no further than Looking Glass NYC. Read below or contact us today for more information. We’d love to help you schedule an appointment!
Relationships are integral to a satisfying life for humans – it’s in our nature! Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and social functioning. It can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
If any of these signs sound familiar to you, IPT may be able to help you improve your interpersonal relationships and social functioning so that you can better manage your mental health symptoms. Through IPT, you can learn how to assert yourself in interpersonal encounters, validate your own feelings and emotions, communicate more effectively with others, manage conflicts more constructively, and so much more. What you learn in therapy will depend on what you need to learn given your personality, preferences, struggles, and more.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) was developed in the 1970s by researchers Gerald Klerman and Myrna Weissman. Both Klerman and Weissman were working in the field of psychiatry, and they were unhappy with the ways in which traditional psychoanalytic approaches were failing to help people with depression.
Klerman and Weissman recognized that interpersonal relationships were a key factor in depression and that traditional therapies were failing to adequately address interpersonal relationships. Therefore, the two psychiatrists set out to develop a new approach that would help patients improve their interpersonal skills and reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness.
The result was IPT, which is designed to help individuals improve their communication skills, resolve conflicts, and develop stronger interpersonal relationships. Initially, IPT was developed for the treatment of depression, but it has since been used to treat other mental health conditions such as anxiety, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.
IPT is based on the premise that our relationships with others are a significant factor in our mental health, and the therapy is structured to help individuals develop the skills they need in order to manage their relationships in a more effective way. It can often go hand-in-hand with other types of therapies, such as CBT, DBT, relationship counseling, dating therapy, and social anxiety therapy.
Interpersonal Therapy has proven to be a valuable approach to treating mental health issues that are closely linked to interpersonal relationships. With its focus on improving communication skills, conflict resolution, and relationship building, IPT continues to offer individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other related concerns a unique and effective way to receive the help they need to improve their mental health.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) can be right for a wide variety of individuals. This therapy can also be used in tandem with other therapies to help treat those with treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. If you’re wondering if IPT may be right for you, here are some signs that it could help.
- You feel like your relationships with family, friends, or colleagues are strained or unsatisfying.
- You have difficulty expressing your needs and wishes in interpersonal encounters.
- You find yourself feeling lonely or isolated from others.
- You feel like your emotions are out of control or overwhelming.
- You struggle to communicate effectively with those around you.
- You have difficulty managing conflict in relationships.
- You feel disconnected from the people around you or lack meaningful connections in your life.
- You have been diagnosed with social anxiety or another mental health condition that has impacted your relationships with others.
If any of these signs sound familiar to you, IPT may be able to help you improve your interpersonal relationships and social functioning so that you can better manage your mental health symptoms. Through IPT, you can learn how to assert yourself in interpersonal encounters, validate your own feelings and emotions, communicate more effectively with others, and manage conflicts more constructively.
IPT is typically – but not always – a short-term therapy, lasting 12-16 weeks, with three distinct phases: beginning, middle, and end. It can be combined with other types of therapy (which may last longer) and your therapist may decide to use interpersonal therapy methods during your treatment while also using other approaches to fit your individual needs.
The beginning phase of IPT involves developing an understanding of your current situation, including your relationships and any stressors you may be facing. This phase also includes setting goals for the therapy sessions ahead.
During the middle phase of IPT, your therapist will work with you to identify patterns in your behavior or interactions that may be contributing to your depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. Your therapist will then help them develop new strategies for dealing with these patterns in order to improve their overall wellbeing.
The final phase of IPT is focused on helping you reach your goals by providing support and guidance as you practice the skills you learned in therapy in the real world. This phase also includes discussing any changes that have been made during therapy sessions and how they can be maintained outside of therapy sessions. Some people may continue IPT and other forms of therapy for much longer. It simply depends on what your therapist finds the most helpful for you!
Overall, Interpersonal Therapy provides individuals with a safe space to explore their interpersonal relationships and develop new strategies for managing stressors or difficult situations. Through this process, individuals are able to gain insight into themselves and build healthier relationships with those around them.
How is Interpersonal Therapy Different Than Other Types of Therapy?
IPT specifically helps you to identify and address interpersonal problems that may be contributing to your mental health issues or personal struggles. The main goals of IPT are often to improve communication skills, resolve interpersonal conflicts, and increase self-esteem, which are not always the primary goals in other types of therapies.
In comparison to other therapeutic modalities or therapy types, IPT has some other distinct differences. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing negative thought patterns in order to modify behavior whereas IPT focuses on improving communication skills and resolving interpersonal conflicts.
Additionally, while CBT aims to change behavior through cognitive restructuring techniques, IPT does not focus on changing behavior but rather helping individuals understand how their interactions with others can affect their mental health.
Overall, Interpersonal Therapy is a unique form of psychotherapy that provides individuals with tools for understanding how their relationships with others can influence their mental health. By focusing on improving communication skills and resolving interpersonal conflicts, IPT can help individuals manage symptoms associated with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy in NYC
Interpersonal Therapy is an invaluable form of psychotherapy that will equip you with the skills to comprehend how the relationships you have may be impacting your mental health. With a primary emphasis on honing communication strategies and resolving interpersonal disputes, IPT can be instrumental in alleviating symptoms related to depression and anxiety.
At Looking Glass NYC, we are committed on providing you quality care that meets the needs of each individual client. Our personalized approach ensures that you receives the attention you deserve in order to make progress towards their goals. We believe in empowering you by teaching the skills you need to navigate life’s challenges and build meaningful relationships.
If you or a loved one may need help in improving the quality of connections in your life, reach out to Looking Glass NYC. We would love to speak with you and determine whether IPT or another form of therapy would be a good fit for you.
FAQs
What should I expect from my first therapy session?
During your first session, your therapist will ask you questions to get to know you and understand your reasons for coming to therapy. Your therapist will want to learn about your history, what’s going on with you now, and learn about what you want to get out of therapy. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask them questions about how therapy works so you know what to expect.
How long will I be in therapy for?
The amount of time therapy takes is different for each person. If you’re dealing with a short-term stressor that you want resolved, that will typically take less time than a problem you’ve been dealing with for a long while. For some, therapy is short-term, taking just a few months until they are satisfied with their progress. For others, therapy will become a part of their routine, helping them manage ongoing concerns in their life and having a safe outlet for them to explore themselves, their patterns, and understand themselves on a deeper level.
Virtual therapy: How does it work?
With the rise in virtual therapy, it makes sense to want to know more about how it works. Research shows that virtual therapy has the same benefits as therapy that takes place face-to-face. Virtual therapy is an effective way to fit therapy into your busy schedule, as it allows you to talk to your therapist in the comfort of your own home. With virtual therapy, you avoid the hurdles that can happen with face-to-face appointments, such as scheduling conflicts, traffic, and travel time. In order to make the most of your virtual session, meet with your therapist in a private space in your home and have a good internet connection.
How do I pick the right therapist for me?
You’ve decided to take that next step and start therapy, and it can feel overwhelming to decide on a therapist. That’s why we offer a complimentary consultation call with a Looking Glass Intake Coordinator to help you make an informed choice. Every therapist has different strengths and styles that they bring to sessions. When you are in the process of selecting a therapist, talk to your coordinator about what you want to get out of therapy so you can rest assured that you are matched with the right person for you. After all, therapy is all about creating a space where you feel comfortable to open up, so finding a therapist that you click with is the first step on your journey!
How do I know if therapy is working?
Starting from your first session, you and your therapist will talk about what you want to get out of therapy. You may come in with a very specific goal or you may use therapy as a space to talk about ongoing events in your life. Regardless of your therapy goals, your therapist will create a comfortable space for you to talk about how therapy is going so you are both on the same page about the process. Ultimately, you will get more out of therapy if you are willing to put more into it. Growth takes place when you are willing to reflect on yourself and take what you are learning during sessions out into the world with you. Below are a few signs of progress that clients typically note:
- You start noticing that your symptoms (anxiety, depression, panic attacks, etc.) are less frequent or intense than before.
- You’re able to function better at work, school, or in your personal relationships.
- You start to find that you have a better understanding of yourself, your feelings, and your behaviors. You’ve gained insights and are making connections that you didn’t make before.
- You might be using new coping skills that you’ve learned in therapy and they’re helping in your daily life.
- People close to you may tell you that they have noticed positive changes.
Do you accept my health insurance?
Looking Glass Psychology is Out-of-Network with health insurances. If you have an Out-of-Network or PPO insurance plan, your insurance will refund a large portion of each session, as long as you have met your Out-of-Network deductible. After each appointment, we’ll supply you with a receipt called a superbill or reimbursement form. To submit for a partial refund, simply log into your health insurance portal to enter the information listed on your superbill. If you have an Out-of-Network plan and have met your Out-of-Network deductible, your health plan will mail the partial refund in the form of a check to your home a few weeks after each appointment. Questions? Email info@LookingGlassNYC.com or chat with us live during business hours by clicking the “Message Us” button on this page.
When can I book an appointment with you?
Your appointment request is our top priority, so we’ll get you on the schedule as soon as possible – no waitlists, and no hassle. Many of our clinicians offer both in-person and video appointments in the early morning, afternoon, late evening, or even weekends. To request an appointment, click the following link: https://lookingglassnyc.clientsecure.me or chat with us live during business hours by texting (646) 350-2202. Prefer a phone call? Contact us today by calling (646) 760-3399.