Interpersonal psychotherapy for the treatment of eating disorders

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a focused, time- limited treatment that targets interpersonal problem(s) associated with the onset and/or maintenance of eating disorders. It is supported by substantial empirical evidence documenting the role of interpersonal factors in the onset and maintenance of eating disorders. Interpersonal psychotherapy is a viable alternative to cognitivebehavioral therapy for the treatment of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The effectiveness of IPT for the treatment of anorexia nervosa requires further investigation. The utility of IPT for the prevention of obesity is promising. Future research directions include enhancing the delivery of IPT for eating disorders, increasing the availability of IPT in routine clinical care settings through dissemination and implementation efforts, exploring IPT adolescent and parent-child adaptations in diverse and highrisk groups, and further exploring IPT for the prevention of eating and weight-related problems that may promote full-syndrome eating disorders or obesity.