The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
We generally only cite government and peer-reviewed studies
Scientific claims and data are backed by qualified sources
Content is updated to ensure we are citing the most up-to-date data and information
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Watching your teen struggle with mood, depression, or interpersonal issues is not easy. Interpersonal therapy techniques focus on the correlation between mood and relationships. Its main goal is to address depression in teens.
Therapy is important in addressing your teen’s emotional and relational struggles. It may help them understand their feelings and how relationships impact their well-being.
While interpersonal therapy (IPT) shares aspects with common adolescent therapies, it differs from them in some ways.
IPT aims to improve a teen’s emotional well-being by improving their relationships.
In this article, we will discuss IPT for teens and common interpersonal therapy techniques used in treatment. This information will help you make the best decision about how to help your teen who may be struggling with depression and anxiety. However, if you are looking for immediate assistance, contact our teen depression treatment centertoday for help.
Understanding Interpersonal Therapy Techniques for Teens
Teen interpersonal therapy is a form of short-term therapy that helps in the treatment of depression. It acknowledges the role of external factors, such as genetics, biology, and personality, in depression. It goes on to look into the connection between mood and relationships. The operating idea with IPT is that relationships affect mood, and in turn, mood affects relationships.
Your teen’s healthy relationships can improve their mental health and self-esteem. Getting your teen help through IPT may impact their well-being in the following ways:
They’ll communicate and express their feelings better.
It’ll restore a sense of control over their lives.
With these benefits in mind, here are the goals of teen interpersonal therapy:
Help in the recognition and awareness of thoughts and feelings.
Help gain insight into how relationships affect thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It also includes insight into how emotions can affect relationships.
Help develop solid communication and problem-solving skills.
Help strengthen or get new coping mechanisms for different situations.
Help improve the quality of relationships and create a positive environment.
Common Teen Interpersonal Therapy Techniques
Interpersonal therapy techniques are the doorway to your teen’s healthy relationships. These techniques help address psychological and emotional issues and aim to improve your teen’s communication, help resolve conflicts, and build stronger bonds.
Communication Skill Development
Effective communication combines speaking with active listening. Active listening exercises may involve learning to:
Be intentional in listening to help understand the speaker.
Let others take their turn speaking without interrupting to show respect.
Avoid distractions or (put them away) to show attention.
An IPT therapist will also help your teen understand assertiveness. Assertive communication exercises may involve learning to:
Respect themselves and understand the importance of their personal needs and wants.
Express their thoughts and emotions with respect, calmness, and composure.
Plan what to say before any conversation to help understand personal needs and wants.
Say “no” when they need to and give honest reasons if they have to.
Your teen will learn about how to express their emotions effectively. They will realize that intense feelings are normal and okay to have. Emotional expression exercises may involve learning to:
Be aware of emotions and take a moment to take a deep breath after noticing an intense feeling.
Name emotions. Is it anger, disappointment, or jealousy?
Rate the intensity of emotions on a scale of their choosing, classifying them as mild to intense.
Accept strong emotions and try to keep them under control.
Find healthy ways to express emotions, like sharing feelings with close people.
Role-Playing and Social Scenarios
Role-playing is an interpersonal therapy technique that uses the exploration of different perspectives. A therapist may assume the role of a person important to your teen. It may help your teen in the following ways:
Identify weaknesses or challenges that they need to work on.
Deal with uncomfortable emotions in a safe space.
Gain valuable information about their behavior.
Conflict in teen relationships often happens due to two opposing viewpoints or behaviors. Such disagreements may cause stress, even when your teen doesn’t realize it. Conflict resolution is another teen interpersonal therapy technique that may involve learning to:
Compromise and negotiate to meet some, if not all, their needs and those of the opposing party.
Prevent the progression of the issue by changing activities or topics.
Identify personal defensiveness and overcome it by expressing their feelings.
Your teen may develop social anxiety due to immense pressure from:
Expectations (at school, at home, or from friends).
Their changing and developing bodies.
An IPT therapist may help your teen overcome social anxiety through exercises that involve learning to:
Breathe after noticing the impact of stressful situations.
Overcome negative self-talk by affirming that they can and will be okay in any social situation.
Embrace discomforting situations by absorbing the initial shock and giving it time to lose strength.
Emotional Regulation Strategies
Your teen may struggle with emotional triggers if they’ve been exposed to trauma. Emotional trigger exercises may involve learning to:
Observe their thoughts and emotions and notice when they suddenly become too intense.
Be aware of moments when emotions or thoughts remind them of traumatic events.
Notice when they unexpectedly feel detached from their body, thoughts, feelings, or senses.
Mindfulness can help your teen navigate challenges in their relationships and develop respect. An IPT therapist may help practice mindfulness through exercises that involve learning to:
Be present during conversations by listening and experiencing the verbal and non-verbal aspects.
Be aware of moments when they become judgmental and learn to avoid judgment of themselves and others.
Listen without expectations. Your teen will learn that listening doesn’t mean having answers.
Your teen may not be used to spending time alone. However, the time they spend expressing their thoughts and feelings in a journal can be therapeutic. Journaling exercises may involve learning to:
Focus attention on themselves without worrying about anything or anyone else.
Practice self-awareness by reflecting on past events to understand their role.
Express difficult emotions in a safe space without fear of criticism or judgment.
Relationship Mapping and Patterns
Past relationships may influence how your teen experiences and expresses emotions or behaves. An IPT therapist may help your teen understand the role of past relationships in how they feel. Relationship influence exercises may involve identifying the following:
Impact of early friendships on their mood and behavior.
Similarities and differences in attitudes, values, and activities in past relationships.
Social and cultural influences on past relationships.
An IPT therapist may help your teen find unhealthy patterns in their relationships by identifying the following:
A sense of control.
Dishonesty.
Disrespect.
Dependence/attachment issues.
Personal boundaries can help your teen avoid manipulation, hurt, or exploitation. Personal boundary exercises may involve learning to:
Trust their intuition and learn to be confident in being who they are.
Identify behavior that makes them uncomfortable.
Use phrases that free them from uncomfortable or pressurizing situations.
Identify where limits are necessary for friendships.
Problem-solving and Decision-making Skills
Structured problem-solving skills can help your teen handle difficult situations with more ease. Problem-solving and decision-making exercises may involve:
Learning how other people solve problems.
Learning from mistakes.
Learning to break down problems
Thinking about potential solutions to problems.
Determining and acting on the most suitable solutions.
Learning to ask for help.
Stress may arise from time to time during your teen’s interpersonal interaction. Stress management exercises may involve learning to:
Discover what the problem could be and address it.
Practice self-care by exercising for clarity of mind.
Explore creativity as a form of expression.
Talk to someone (preferably an adult) they trust.
Benefits of Interpersonal Therapy Techniques for Teens
Interpersonal therapy techniques are beneficial to teens in the following ways:
Improved emotional intelligence: IPT can help your teen understand their emotions and express them effectively. Their communication in different relationships may also improve, enabling them to overcome challenges. Communication skills and problem-solving techniques can help them improve their emotional intelligence.
Stronger peer and family relationships: IPT can improve the quality of your teen’s relationships. They may understand their place in different relationships and acknowledge their self-worth. Understanding what makes them happy and comfortable may also enable them to interact easily. Consider communication skills, emotional regulation, and relationship mapping techniques. These techniques can help your teen develop healthier relationships.
Reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety: Research published in 2014 concluded that IPT was effective in the treatment of depression. Individuals with Major Depression Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder used medication with IPT. Both groups showed improvement. A study published in 2016 concluded that IPT prevented the onset of major depression. It also discovered that the continued use of IPT reduced relapse by a great deal. But that is not all. A review published in 2014 also concluded that IPT decreased symptoms of anxiety.
Greater self-awareness and confidence: IPT can enable your teen to feel more self-aware and boost their confidence. They may be able to identify triggers and name intense emotions. They may also understand what to do in chaotic situations. Your teen may discover their potential to solve problems and learn better ways to reach more effective solutions. Emotional regulation and problem-solving techniques can help them improve their self-awareness and confidence.
When to Consider Interpersonal Therapy for Your Teen
You may have noticed some mood changes in your teen or signs of depression and teen anxiety. They may benefit from IPT if they show the following signs:
Uneasiness or immense discomfort in social settings.
Frequent mood swings resulting from family events.
Depression or anxiety related to challenges in relationships.
Very low or no motivation at school.
After identifying that your teen needs help, the next step is finding the right people to walk the recovery journey with you both. At Nexus Teen Academy, we understand the challenges growing up presents in relationships. Our experienced therapists can provide expert guidance on teen mental health and how to help them.
When you come in for IPT, a therapist will see your teen weekly for 12 to 16 sessions. The IPT program has three major phases:
Initial Phase (sessions 1 to 4): This phase involves assessing your teen to understand their challenges.
Middle Phase (sessions 5 to 9): This phase involves determining a specific area of focus. The focus areas include grief, interpersonal sensitivity, transition, and role disputes.
Termination Phase (weeks 10 to 12): This phase focuses on relapse prevention, review of further treatment, and continued support.
How Parents Can Support Their Teen
You can support your teen in recovery by encouraging open communication at home. By doing so, you may also reinforce skills they learned in IPT and help your teen practice:
Active listening.
Assertive communication.
Expressing emotions.
Problem-solving.
Open communication may make your teen feel understood and supported. It may also make them feel involved in family activities and decision-making processes.
Reinforcing therapy techniques in your teen’s daily life will help them make the techniques a routine. So, encourage their continued practice. As their parent/guardian, practicing them together will greatly help you.
Your teen will realize that they’re not alone and that everyone faces difficulties in life.
Your teen will learn the importance of taking action to overcome challenges.
Recovery can be hard on both you and your teen. But the best results take time. Recognize your teen’s progress, acknowledge it, and be patient. Understand their recovery process and actively take part in it. During their recovery, your teen will need to feel supported. Be there for them, helping them understand that it’s okay for recovery to take time. It may help them rebuild connections in relationships, starting with the most basic unit of family.
Teen Behavioral Health Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
If your teen is struggling with depression or anxiety connected to relationships, IPT can help them. It can be beneficial to their well-being and improve the quality of their relationships. Your teen may come out better, understanding more about themselves and their relationships.
Watching your teen struggle and not knowing what to do about it is not easy. Seeking professional help could save them more pain and distress. At Nexus Teen Academy, we believe in the power of recovery. Find help for your teen today with a team of experienced therapists and mental health professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does interpersonal therapy help with mental health?
Interpersonal Therapy helps address depression and anxiety. It also improves a teen’s mental health by helping improve the quality of their relationships and interactions.
How long does interpersonal therapy take to show results?
There is no specific amount of time. However, as a study published in 2016 suggests, a minimum of 10 sessions have shown improvements in some individuals. The study also indicates that IPT of 16 sessions is more effective.
Can parents be involved in IPT sessions?
Yes, they can. The involvement of parents in IPT sessions could impact the recovery of teens significantly. The Initial Phase of IPT may also involve parents. This involvement could provide an IPT therapist with more information about the teen’s struggles.
Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC and Nexus Teen Academy
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Common Teen Interpersonal Therapy Techniques
FACT CHECKED
The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
Published By Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Published On February 24, 2025
Table of Contents
Watching your teen struggle with mood, depression, or interpersonal issues is not easy. Interpersonal therapy techniques focus on the correlation between mood and relationships. Its main goal is to address depression in teens.
Therapy is important in addressing your teen’s emotional and relational struggles. It may help them understand their feelings and how relationships impact their well-being.
While interpersonal therapy (IPT) shares aspects with common adolescent therapies, it differs from them in some ways.
In this article, we will discuss IPT for teens and common interpersonal therapy techniques used in treatment. This information will help you make the best decision about how to help your teen who may be struggling with depression and anxiety. However, if you are looking for immediate assistance, contact our teen depression treatment center today for help.
Understanding Interpersonal Therapy Techniques for Teens
Teen interpersonal therapy is a form of short-term therapy that helps in the treatment of depression. It acknowledges the role of external factors, such as genetics, biology, and personality, in depression. It goes on to look into the connection between mood and relationships. The operating idea with IPT is that relationships affect mood, and in turn, mood affects relationships.
Your teen’s healthy relationships can improve their mental health and self-esteem. Getting your teen help through IPT may impact their well-being in the following ways:
With these benefits in mind, here are the goals of teen interpersonal therapy:
Common Teen Interpersonal Therapy Techniques
Interpersonal therapy techniques are the doorway to your teen’s healthy relationships. These techniques help address psychological and emotional issues and aim to improve your teen’s communication, help resolve conflicts, and build stronger bonds.
Communication Skill Development
Effective communication combines speaking with active listening. Active listening exercises may involve learning to:
An IPT therapist will also help your teen understand assertiveness. Assertive communication exercises may involve learning to:
Your teen will learn about how to express their emotions effectively. They will realize that intense feelings are normal and okay to have. Emotional expression exercises may involve learning to:
Role-Playing and Social Scenarios
Role-playing is an interpersonal therapy technique that uses the exploration of different perspectives. A therapist may assume the role of a person important to your teen. It may help your teen in the following ways:
Conflict in teen relationships often happens due to two opposing viewpoints or behaviors. Such disagreements may cause stress, even when your teen doesn’t realize it. Conflict resolution is another teen interpersonal therapy technique that may involve learning to:
Your teen may develop social anxiety due to immense pressure from:
An IPT therapist may help your teen overcome social anxiety through exercises that involve learning to:
Emotional Regulation Strategies
Your teen may struggle with emotional triggers if they’ve been exposed to trauma. Emotional trigger exercises may involve learning to:
Mindfulness can help your teen navigate challenges in their relationships and develop respect. An IPT therapist may help practice mindfulness through exercises that involve learning to:
Your teen may not be used to spending time alone. However, the time they spend expressing their thoughts and feelings in a journal can be therapeutic. Journaling exercises may involve learning to:
Relationship Mapping and Patterns
Past relationships may influence how your teen experiences and expresses emotions or behaves. An IPT therapist may help your teen understand the role of past relationships in how they feel. Relationship influence exercises may involve identifying the following:
An IPT therapist may help your teen find unhealthy patterns in their relationships by identifying the following:
Personal boundaries can help your teen avoid manipulation, hurt, or exploitation. Personal boundary exercises may involve learning to:
Problem-solving and Decision-making Skills
Structured problem-solving skills can help your teen handle difficult situations with more ease. Problem-solving and decision-making exercises may involve:
Stress may arise from time to time during your teen’s interpersonal interaction. Stress management exercises may involve learning to:
Benefits of Interpersonal Therapy Techniques for Teens
Interpersonal therapy techniques are beneficial to teens in the following ways:
When to Consider Interpersonal Therapy for Your Teen
You may have noticed some mood changes in your teen or signs of depression and teen anxiety. They may benefit from IPT if they show the following signs:
After identifying that your teen needs help, the next step is finding the right people to walk the recovery journey with you both. At Nexus Teen Academy, we understand the challenges growing up presents in relationships. Our experienced therapists can provide expert guidance on teen mental health and how to help them.
When you come in for IPT, a therapist will see your teen weekly for 12 to 16 sessions. The IPT program has three major phases:
How Parents Can Support Their Teen
You can support your teen in recovery by encouraging open communication at home. By doing so, you may also reinforce skills they learned in IPT and help your teen practice:
Open communication may make your teen feel understood and supported. It may also make them feel involved in family activities and decision-making processes.
Reinforcing therapy techniques in your teen’s daily life will help them make the techniques a routine. So, encourage their continued practice. As their parent/guardian, practicing them together will greatly help you.
Recovery can be hard on both you and your teen. But the best results take time. Recognize your teen’s progress, acknowledge it, and be patient. Understand their recovery process and actively take part in it. During their recovery, your teen will need to feel supported. Be there for them, helping them understand that it’s okay for recovery to take time. It may help them rebuild connections in relationships, starting with the most basic unit of family.
Teen Behavioral Health Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
If your teen is struggling with depression or anxiety connected to relationships, IPT can help them. It can be beneficial to their well-being and improve the quality of their relationships. Your teen may come out better, understanding more about themselves and their relationships.
Watching your teen struggle and not knowing what to do about it is not easy. Seeking professional help could save them more pain and distress. At Nexus Teen Academy, we believe in the power of recovery. Find help for your teen today with a team of experienced therapists and mental health professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Interpersonal Therapy helps address depression and anxiety. It also improves a teen’s mental health by helping improve the quality of their relationships and interactions.
There is no specific amount of time. However, as a study published in 2016 suggests, a minimum of 10 sessions have shown improvements in some individuals. The study also indicates that IPT of 16 sessions is more effective.
Yes, they can. The involvement of parents in IPT sessions could impact the recovery of teens significantly. The Initial Phase of IPT may also involve parents. This involvement could provide an IPT therapist with more information about the teen’s struggles.