IPT Certification

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IPT Level A Certification
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The IPT Institute provides certification for clinicians, supervisors, and instructors of IPT at several different levels.  Certified status is an indicator that an individual has completed a combination of defined education, experience, or examination requirements. However, certification is not a guarantee or assurance of the competence or ability of any particular individual.  (Please see full disclaimer of liability below) 

Specific criteria for each level of certification is described below.  Training typically follows the pathway pictured below in a sequential progression.

 

IPT Training Pathways

 

 

IPT Level A Certification Requirements

 

Clinical Training in IPT

Prior to Training:

  1. Professional clinical training in mental health
  2. Familiarity with the IPT Textbook1

Training Requirements:

  1. Completion of an IPT Institute accredited Level A IPT Course.  The course must include 14-16 hours of instruction.  Eligible courses include IPT Level A, IPT for Adolescents, and Perinatal IPT.
Apply for IPT Institute General Membership (Level A)

 

IPT Level B Certification Requirements

 

Community-Based Training in IPT

Prior to Training:

  1. Completion of an IPT Institute accredited Level A IPT Course within the last three years.
  2. Licensure or student status sufficient to conduct clinical work with patients.

Training Requirements:

  1. Completion of at least 10 consultation hours.  These hours may include either individual consultation or small-group consultation as is typical for the Community-Based Training programs.  Consultation must be provided by an IPT Institute accredited consultant.
  2. Completion of two IPT Portfolios (one portfolio for each of two different clients).  Each portfolio must obtain a passing grade (average of 3.0 on a 1-5 scale) as rated by an IPT Institute accredited Consultant on the IPT Quality and Adherence Scale.  Each portfolio must include:
    1. Case Report of the IPT treatment provided
    2. Interpersonal Inventory (Circle)
    3. Interpersonal Formulation
    4. Interpersonal Summary
    5. Self-Evaluation Rating (based on the IPT Quality and Adherence Measure)
    6. Patient Outcome Measures (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) administered at intake and every 4 sessions to the time of portfolio submission)
    7. An audio or videotape of one session of the IPT treatment.  For portfolio #1, this should be an initial/assessment session; for portfolio #2 this should be from the middle or concluding phase of treatment.
    8. All materials must be submitted in English, although the audio or videotape may be in the patient’s language if permission is obtained from the IPT consultant.
  3. Completion of an IPT Booster or Advanced Course of at least 8 hours.

 

IPT Level C Certification Requirements

 

Clinical Certification in IPT

Prior to Training:

  1. Completion of IPT Institute accredited Level B Training.
  2. Licensure or student status sufficient to conduct clinical work with patients.
  3. Nomination for Level C Training by IPT Institute Consultant.

Training Requirements:

  1. Consultation on at least two complete IPT cases.  Consultation must be based on audio or videotapes, and must include at least one hour of supervision for each two hours of clinical contact.  These hours may include either individual consultation or consultation in pairs at the discretion of the consultant.  Consultation must be provided by an IPT Institute accredited consultant.
  2. Completion of two IPT Portfolios (one portfolio for each of two different clients).  Each portfolio must obtain high proficiency grade (average of 4.0 on a 1-5 scale) as rated by an IPT Institute accredited Consultant on the IPT Quality and Adherence Scale.  Each portfolio must include:
    1. Case Report of the IPT treatment provided
    2. Interpersonal Inventory (Circle)
    3. Interpersonal Formulation and Summary
    4. Self-Evaluation Rating (based on the IPT Quality and Adherence Measure)
    5. Patient Outcome Measures (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) administered at intake and every 4 sessions to the time of portfolio submission)
    6. An audio or videotape of one session of the IPT treatment.  For portfolio #1, this should be an initial/assessment session; for portfolio #2 this should be from the middle or concluding phase of treatment.
    7. All materials must be submitted in English, although the audio or videotape may be in the patient’s language if permission is obtained from the IPT consultant.

 

IPT Level D Certification Requirements

 

Certified IPT Consultant

Prior to Training:

  1. Completion of IPT Institute accredited Level C Training.
  2. Permanent licensure sufficient to conduct clinical work with patients.
  3. Nomination for Level D Training by IPT Institute Consultant.

Training Requirements:

  1. Completion of an IPT Institute accredited Level D IPT Course.  The course must include 8-16 hours of instruction.  
  2. Establishment of adequate reliability using the IPT Quality and Adherence Rating Scale.
  3. Completion of two group consultations (10 or more hours each) as a co-consultant with an IPT Institute Certified Consultant. 
    1. Reviews of the written portfolio feedback provided by the consultant in training must be at least a high proficiency grade (average of 4.0 on a 1-5 scale) as rated by an IPT Institute Certified Consultant.
    2. Reviews of the consultant in training provided by the Certified Senior Co-Consultant must be at least a high proficiency grade (average of 4.0 on a 1-5 scale).
    3. Co-consultation must be done with consecutive groups rather than concurrent groups.
  4. Nomination by that Certified IPT Consultant for continuation to lead a consultation group as a solo consultant.
  5. Ongoing commitment to training in IPT including
    1. maintaining clinical practice in IPT
    2. participating in IPT consultants’ mentoring groups
    3. yearly training in IPT updates
    4. maintaining and average of 3.5 or greater on reviews by supervisees

 

IPT Level E Certification Requirements

 

Certified IPT Instructor

Prior to Training:

  1. Completion of IPT Institute accredited Level C Training.
  2. Permanent licensure sufficient to conduct clinical work with patients.
  3. Nomination for Level E Training by IPT Institute Consultant.

Training Requirements:

  1. Completion of an IPT Institute accredited Level E IPT Course.  The course must include 14-16 hours of instruction.  
  2. Co-teaching at least two IPT training courses (16 hours or more) with an IPT Certified Instructor. 
    1. Written teaching reviews provided by course participants must be at least a high proficiency grade (average of 4.0 on a 1-5 scale).
    2. Reviews of the instructor in training provided by the Certified Senior Co-Instructor must be at least a high proficiency grade (average of 4.0 on a 1-5 scale).
    3. Co-instruction must be done with consecutive courses rather than concurrent courses.
  3. Nomination by that Certified IPT Instructor for continuation to teach an IPT Course as a solo instructor.
  4. Teaching at least one IPT course (14 or more hours each) as a solo instructor.  Ratings for each course must be a high proficiency grade (average of 4.0 on a 1-5 scale) as rated by an IPT Institute accredited Instructor and an average of 4.0 as rated by the course participants.
  5. Ongoing commitment to training in IPT including
    1. maintaining clinical practice in IPT
    2. participating in IPT instructors’ mentoring groups
    3. yearly training in IPT updates

 

IPT for Groups Certification Requirements

 

IPT for Groups Certification

Prior to Training:

  1. Completion of an IPT Institute accredited Level A IPT Course within the last three years.
  2. Licensure or student status sufficient to conduct clinical work with patients.

Training Requirements:

  1. Completion of an IPT Institute accredited Group IPT Course of 16 hours or more.
  2. Approval of a written IPT for Group protocol to be used.
  3. Completion of at least 10 consultation hours.  These hours must include both co-therapists for the IPT group.  Consultation must be provided by an IPT Institute accredited consultant and should include review of audio or videotapes of the group sessions.
  4. Completion of TWO IPT Portfolios (one portfolio for each of two different groups).  Each portfolio must obtain a passing grade (average of 3.0 on a 1-5 scale) as rated by an IPT Institute accredited Consultant on the IPT Group Quality and Adherence Scale.  Each portfolio must include:
    1. Case Report of the completed IPT group
    2. Interpersonal Inventory (Circle) for all clients in the group
    3. Interpersonal Formulation for all clients in the group
    4. Interpersonal Summary for all clients in the group
    5. Self-Evaluation Rating (based on the IPT Quality and Adherence Measure) from each co-therapist
    6. Patient Outcome Measures (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) administered at intake and every 4 sessions to the time of portfolio submission) for all clients
    7. An audio or videotape of one session of the IPT group treatment.  For portfolio #1, this should be an initial group session; for portfolio #2 this should be from the middle or concluding phase of the group
    8. All materials must be submitted in English, although the audio or videotape may be in the patients’ language if permission is obtained from the IPT consultant
  5. Completion of an IPT for Groups Booster or Advanced Course of at least 8 hours
  6. Completion of an advanced IPT for Groups course at least every three years

Disclaimer of Liability

Certified status conferred by the IPT Institute is an indicator that an individual has completed a combination of defined education, experience, or examination requirements. However, certification is not a guarantee or assurance of the competence or ability of any particular individual. Further, given the rapid changes in the field, the IPT Institute cannot warrant that the examination and other certification materials will at all times reflect the most current state of the art.
 

The IPT Institute disclaims liability for any personal injury, property or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the certification program or the acts or omissions of any person who has been certified by the IPT Institute.

In conducting the certification program, including issuing certifications, the IPT Institute is not undertaking to render professional or other services for or on behalf of any person or entity, nor is the IPT Institute undertaking to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to someone else. Anyone using the services of a person who has been certified should rely on his or her own independent judgment or, as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the exercise of reasonable care in any given circumstances.

 

 

(1) Required IPT Textbook: Stuart S, Robertson M: Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A Clinician’s Guide, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, London, 2012.