Support for Organisation / Practice

Interpersonal Psychotherapy – Adolescent Skills Training (IPT-AST) was developed by Dr. Jami Young and Dr. Laura Mufson. IPT-AST was adapted from Interpersonal Psychotherapy for depressed adolescents (IPT-A), also developed by Dr. Laura Mufson.

Implementation Support

IPT-AST is published as a practitioner manual. The manual provides clear session-by-session descriptions; addresses key issues seen with IPT-AST implementation; and provides IPT-AST research evidence. IPT-AST training is available to mental health practitioners who want to deliver the programme.

Licence Requirements

There is no license requirement

Start-up Costs

Start-up costs include one-off purchase of the IPT-AST practitioners’ guide at $45.95. A highly recommended 1.5 – 2 days practitioner training costs $2000-$3000, dependent on trainer fees and travel costs. Training can be delivered to a group of practitioners, and the number of practitioners in the group can vary. Programme sessions review (to enhance fidelity in programme delivery), and implementation consultation are charged at $100-$150/ hour.

Building Staff Competency

Qualifications Required

IPT-AST is delivered by master level mental health practitioners, who have experience working with children and young people. This includes child psychologists, child psychiatrists, social workers, and school counsellors. A background in interpersonal psychotherapy is not necessary, but can be helpful.

Training Requirements

Training prior to delivering IPT-AST is highly recommended for practitioners who want to deliver the programme to adolescents. Training is required for practitioners who want to become IPT-AST consultants or trainers. Practitioners receive 1.5 days to 2 full days of training which includes IPT-AST techniques and strategies; session by session demonstration; and role-play and modelling. To become trainers, practitioners attend an additional one day training focused on training and consultation. They also receive support when they initially start to deliver trainings and consultation to other practitioners. Training is delivered by programme developer or other IPT-AST accredited trainers.

Supervision Requirements

Consultation is recommended for practitioners delivering the training to families, and is required for practitioners who want to become trainers or consultants. It takes the form of a 30 minute weekly phone consultation for all 10 programme sessions delivered. This weekly consultation is provided to practitioners when they deliver their first and second IPT-AST groups. Practitioners also have 50% of their delivered sessions reviewed by IPT-AST consultant. Consultation is provided by programme developer, IPT-AST accredited supervisor, or IPT-AST accredited trainer.