The Depression Treatment Roadmap: Exploring the Efficacy of IPT and CBT to Reduce Depression Symptoms

Approximately 300 million adults worldwide experience depression each year, with symptoms arising from a complex interaction of biological vulnerabilities, psychosocial stressors and interpersonal dynamics.

You can help clients with depression move beyond basic coping skills toward meaningful, lasting change.

This course compares two evidence-based approaches — Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — to help you determine the most effective treatment based on each client's presenting concerns. Different non-pharmacological approaches can lead to different outcomes, making thoughtful treatment selection essential. The workshop provides a practical framework for assessing and treating adult depression.

You will learn how to match clinical presentation with the most appropriate therapeutic approach and apply treatment-specific interventions for more targeted, effective treatment planning. Using a case vignette, the workshop will highlight common pitfalls in selecting the wrong treatment while demonstrating how the right therapeutic approach can improve treatment outcomes.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Identify diagnostic criteria for depressive disorders
• Outline salient factors specific to Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression treatment
• Discuss symptoms that are best treated with the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression treatment

How You'll Learn

The course is synchronous, meaning you will meet in a live Zoom session at a set time to learn from the instructor, interact with fellow participants and work through the learning objectives.

Learner Level

Beginner - Intermediate