The Iowa Depression and Clinical Research Center and the Interpersonal Psychotherapy Institute are currently conducting research to develop and test a computerized internet-based program to train therapists in the conduct of IPT. Though several excellent IPT textbooks are available, computer-based training offers the opportunity to provide interactive materials and case presentations which may be more effective than textbooks.

The research is being conducted in two phases. In the first phase, we will be soliciting feedback from prospective users about the IPT program. This feedback will be used to refine and further develop the program. Feedback may be collected by observation as the user is running the program, feedback over the phone, or by written feedback upon completion. Typically this process takes about an hour, and provides the user with access to the prototype program and further IPT training. We are interested in the entire range of users from IPT naïve to expert IPT clinicians; this phase of the research is currently underway.

In Phase II of the research, we will be conducting a trial comparing the impact of autodidactic learning (i.e., reading the textbook) with instructor-led training and instruction using the computer-based program. In this phase, we are interested in clinicians who have had no formal exposure to IPT. Instructor-led training and computer-based training in IPT for this phase of the project is slated for December of 2009.

Those interested in participating in either phase of the research should contact Joy Moel or Scott Stuart via telephone (319) 335-0307 / (866) 849-6636, e-mail IDCRC, or by submitting an inquiry form.