Perinatal Loss

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a widely used evidence-based therapeutic approach that focuses on resolving interpersonal difficulties and improving interpersonal relationships to alleviate emotional distress and psychological symptoms. It was initially developed by Dr. Gerald Klerman and Dr. Myrna Weissman in the 1970s and has since been adapted for various mental health conditions, including perinatal loss and trauma.

Perinatal loss refers to the experience of losing a baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly after birth. This can be an incredibly traumatic and emotionally challenging event for individuals and couples. IPT can be an effective therapeutic approach for individuals who have experienced perinatal loss and trauma.

Workshop Dates 

This workshop is suitable for Accredited IPT Practitioners looking to enhance their therapy practice around perinatal loss & trauma.  

Location: Online

Dates:  Wednesday 19th June 2024 (please CLICK HERE to register or download the booking form below)

Time: 9:15 am - 4.00 pm

Fees: £100 (CPD Certificates will be issued on attendance)

Spaces are limited to 25 for each workshop (Book early to avoid disappointment). The workshop will not be recorded. 

Click here to download the booking form. 

IPT Practitioner Training with Supervision

IPT can be applied in this context

Focus on Grief and Loss: IPT can help individuals process and navigate the complex emotions associated with perinatal loss. The therapist and client work together to explore the feelings of grief, sadness, anger, guilt, and any other emotions that may arise. Through this process, the therapist can provide a safe space for the client to express their feelings and work through their grief.

Interpersonal Functioning: IPT emphasizes the role of interpersonal relationships in shaping emotional well-being. For individuals who have experienced perinatal loss, their relationships with their partner, family members, and friends may be affected. IPT can help clients address communication difficulties, role transitions, and conflicts that may have arisen as a result of the loss.

Role Transitions: Perinatal loss often brings about significant changes in roles and responsibilities within a family or relationship. IPT can help individuals adjust to these changes and develop strategies for managing their new roles and responsibilities, while also addressing any challenges that arise.

Social Support: IPT can focus on enhancing social support networks for individuals who have experienced perinatal loss. The therapist can work with the client to identify sources of support, encourage communication with friends and family, and address any barriers to seeking or receiving support.

Trauma Processing: In cases where the perinatal loss has resulted in trauma symptoms, IPT can incorporate trauma-focused techniques to help the individual process and manage trauma-related symptoms. This may involve techniques such as grounding exercises, relaxation techniques, and gradual exposure to traumatic memories.

It's important to note that every individual's experience of perinatal loss and trauma is unique, and therapy should be tailored to meet their specific needs and goals.

What will the training involve? 

Level A: 5-Day Course 

The course provides an introduction to the IPT model and enables participants to understand the theoretical underpinning of IPT. On completion of the training, you will receive an IPT UK Certificate of Attendance in didactic training Level A IAPT IPT. 

There is an opportunity to continue onto the Supervised Practice element of the training (Level B)

Level B: Supervised Practice 

To pass Level B involves the successful completion of four IPT cases under the supervision of an IPT UK-approved supervisor. It includes submitting audio recordings for assessment and writing a reflective report for each case. Completing Level B takes approximately 10 months. Supervision times can be negotiated and provided via telephone or Teams.  

Criteria for Level B - Supervised Practice  

Applicants must have:

• a core profession (see list of recognised core professions below*)
• substantial post-qualification experience in conducting psychological therapy
• registration with a core professional body. If your core profession is not in psychological therapies you must have professional membership aligned to your psychological therapies work e.g. BPS, BACP, UKCP, BABCP, ISPC
• current employment to deliver Hi Intensity therapies within a commissioned IAPT service (minimum WTE 0.5)

*Recognised Core Professions are:

• Arts therapists – HCPC Registered
• Counselling – Accredited with the BACP, BABCP, UKCP, COSCA or  FDAP (NCAC), or Registered Member CPC
• Medicine – Psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MBChB or MBBS, and usually PG training with membership of MRCGP, MRCP OR MRCPsych.
• Occupational Therapy – BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, or Dip C.O.T and HCPC registered
• Psychology – 1st degree plus a post-graduate qualification (MSc or Doctorate) in an applied area such as clinical, counseling, educational, forensic, health psychology. HCPC Registered as Practitioner Psychologist (HCPC registration alone insufficient)
• Psychotherapy / Psychotherapeutic Counselling with UKCP Registration
• Registered Nurse – Mental Health (RMN), or Learning Disability (general nursing and enrolled nursing is insufficient)
• Social Work – CQSW, DipSW or BA/BSc Hons Social Work
• Who is unable to apply: practitioners employed to deliver step 2 interventions

Course Dates & Information

Location:  Online (Teams)

Dates:       Confirmed on enquiry

Time:        9:15 am - 4.30 pm

Fees:         Confirmed on enquiry (CPD attendance certificates will be issued) 

NB: A minimum of 7 attendees are required for the course to run 

Course Trainers:

• Dr Marie Wardle - Programme Director 

• Lorraine Manley - IPT UK Practitioner and Supervisor

Course Testimonials:

• The breakdown of each term used and then giving scenarios help to link the understanding better. 

• Really enjoyed the course

• I will now use the "who is your support network tool"

• Informative, new ideas, and good teachers.

• Really comprehensive introduction to IPT enjoyed the different teaching methods (e.g. videos, role plays, discussions) and the trainers adapting the material to fit our service where applicable. 

• Learning and understanding depression, learning communication strategies to work with the service user. 

Please email ipt.westmidlands@mpft.nhs.uk for further information