Interpersonal therapy skills for GPs


Interpersonal therapy skills for GPs


Last updated 10 July 2026

RACGP Rural’s Interpersonal therapy (IPT) skills for GPs is a fully online, interactive course designed to provide you with practical skills to better understand the link between interpersonal difficulties and psychological symptoms. You will learn how to assess, formulate, and manage key IPT problem areas using strategies like clarification, communication analysis and role play to support improved patient interpersonal functioning.

The course takes approximately 8.5 hours to complete and is available on gplearning.

The course comprises of eight interactive learning modules, which can be completed at your own pace.

  1. Pre-course reflection activity (30 minutes)
  2. Module 1: Introduction to IPT and the initial phase (2 hours)
  3. Module 2: The IPT middle phase (1 hour)
  4. Module 3: Grief due to loss (1 hour)
  5. Module 4: Role transitions (1 hour)
  6. Module 5: Interpersonal disputes (1 hour)
  7. Module 6: Interpersonal sensitivities (30 minutes)
  8. Module 7: The termination phase and course review (15 minutes)
  9. Module 8: Integrating IPT strategies through role play (30 minutes)
  10. Final quiz (30 minutes).

This course is ideally for GPs who have completed Focussed Psychological Strategies Skills Training (FPS ST) and would like to refresh on foundational principles of IPT.

The General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC) is offering GPs a subsidy that covers part of the cost of completing accredited FPS CPD. The subsidy is limited and subject to availability. Eligible GPs will be reimbursed $300 once they complete the requirements for the FPS CPD case-based discussion and continue to maintain their FPS registration with Medicare.

For more information, visit the GPMHSC website.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

  1. Explain the core principles of the Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) model and describe the connection between interpersonal functioning and presentation of psychological symptoms.
  2. Apply the IPT assessment (including strategies such as the interpersonal inventory) and formulation during the initial phase of treatment.
  3. Outline the main IPT problem areas and related management principles.
  4. Apply a range of IPT strategies such as clarification, communication, incident analysis and role-playing to improve patient interpersonal functioning.

This course is $495 for RACGP members.

If you would like to register for the online course, please email the RACGP Rural team rural@racgp.org.au your full name, RACGP ID and preferred intake month.

The RACGP Rural team will contact you to confirm your registration and enrolment details.

CPD

Accredited for both MH CPD and FPS CPD with the General Practice Mental Health Standards Collaboration (GPMHSC).
FPS CPD MH CPD
 
Earn 8.5 RACGP CPD hours, including 3.5 Educational Activities hours and 5 Reviewing Performance hours.
RACGP CPD Approved Activity

Enquiries

For further details please contact the Rural team on:

1800 636 764
ruralmentalhealth@racgp.org.au