Interpersonal counselling (IPC) is a short-term talking therapy that focuses on how a person’s relationships and social interactions affect their emotions and mental health, and helps people understand and improve the way they relate to others, especially when emotional difficulties are linked to relationship problems, life changes, or communication issues.
Interpersonal counselling is structured and usually time-limited. It works in the following way:
Identify the main interpersonal issue
The counsellor and client work together to identify one or two key areas causing distress. These often fall into common categories such as:
Conflict with others
Changes in life roles (e.g. starting a new school, family changes)
Grief or loss
Difficulties forming or maintaining relationships
Explore relationships and feelings
The client talks about their relationships and how interactions with others affect their mood and behavior. The counsellor helps link emotions to specific interpersonal situations.
Improve communication and coping skills
The counsellor helps the client develop healthier ways to communicate, express emotions, set boundaries, and manage conflict.
Practise new strategies
The client may try out new ways of interacting with others between sessions and reflect on what works and what doesn’t.
Focus on the present
Interpersonal counselling mainly focuses on current relationships, rather than deeply exploring childhood or the distant past.
Key features
· Short-term and structured
· Focuses on relationships and communication
· Helps improve emotional wellbeing by strengthening social support
· Often used for depression, stress, and relationship-related difficulties
