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IPT and reestablishing epistemic trust following interpersonal trauma

Dr Roslyn Law

Wednesday 25 February 2026

Introduction

Interpersonal trauma profoundly disrupts our sense of self and our trust in others. Experiences of developmental and recent interpersonal trauma are common in people seeking therapeutic support and heighten the risk  of several mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. 


Epistemic trust (ET) is the ability to accept new interpersonally generated information as trustworthy, relevant, and generalizable. It's a key component of social learning and allows people to navigate their social environment with confidence and a belief that others are valuable resources to be called on to maintain well-being.  The breakdown of ET, common in the aftermath of trauma, can be profoundly isolating and generate hypervigilance instead of connection.


This workshop will explore how Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) can offer an interpersonally framed path towards healing when the network of relationships that so often sustain us have become inaccessible or overshadowed by the transformative effects of interpersonal trauma.


 We'll delve into the core principles of IPT, focusing on how it addresses key interpersonal issues like grief and loss, role transitions, interpersonal disputes, and deficits in social skills. We'll examine how IPT facilitates the development of healthier interpersonal relationships, fostering a sense of safety and connection. Ultimately, we'll discuss how this renewed trust in others can contribute to a profound sense of personal and emotional well-being.


The event will be equivalent to 5.1/2 hrs of CPD.

Content

This workshop will provide an overview of the concept of epistemic trust, more common in Mentalizing literature that in the outcome focused evidence base for IPT.

This concept will be used to revisit the aims and challenges inherent in the core IPT objective of constructively engaging the network when the network may be perceived, or in fact be or have been, a source of threat for the individual in therapy. The implications for capacity to use interpersonal regulation in this context will be addressed.

The workshop will provide a succinct overview of the evidence supporting the use of IPT following interpersonal trauma and will use this to frame guidelines for using this here and now approach in appropriately adapted and targeted ways. The workshop will also draw on the evidence for IPT as a treatment for common consequences of trauma, such as depression PTSD and review the practical implications for working with different diagnostic presentations.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Describe epistemic trust and its relevance to IPT
• Explain the relevance of a break down in epistemic trust following trauma for mental health and wellbeing
• Reframe IPT work with the network in terms of re-establishing epistemic trust
• Recognise the ways in which IPT has been adapted to reflect the relational implications of developmental and adult interpersonal trauma
• Apply appropriate adaptations in clinical practice when interpersonal trauma is a feature of the IPT formulation

Training Modalities

This training will be a combination of didactic teaching, Q&A via chat throughout, reflections on current and recent IPT casework by participants, polls, and videos (demonstrations and educational discussions).

Key References

Markowitz (2024) Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: a Critical Review of the Evidence. J Clin Psychiatry, 85(2), :23nr15172.
 doi: 10.4088/JCP.23nr1517

Benzi et al (2023) Different epistemic stances for different traumatic experiences: implications for mentalization. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome 2023; volume 26:708

McCrory et al (2022) Social thinning and psychiatric vulnerability after childhood maltreatment: A neurocognitive social transactional perspective. The Lancet, Vol. 9, Iss. 10, pp828-837

Toth (2020) The Moderating Role of Child Maltreatment in Treatment Efficacy for Adolescent Depression. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology 48:1351–1365

Cort et al (2014) Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Women With Histories of
Intimate Partner Violence. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Research, Vol. 6, No. 6, 700 –707

Talbot a et al (2011) A Randomized Effectiveness Trial of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Women With Sexual Abuse Histories. April ; 62(4): 374–380. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.62.4.374.

About the presenter

Dr Roslyn Law is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Honorary Professor at UCL. She works as an IPT practitioner, supervisor and trainer at Anna Freud, London, where she is the lead for IPT training across the lifespan. She was the author of two IPT self-help books, the IAPT Curricula for IPT practitioner and supervisor training, and was chair of the curriculum review for IPT-A training in CYP-Psychological Therapies. She has used IPT in a number of clinical and research settings, including primary care with anxiety and depression, schools, and in specialist services for eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, sexual health and children and families. Dr Law has also trained in CAT, EMDR, Exposure therapy and CBT for trauma.

Who should attend

This one-day refresher workshop is suitable for those who have completed IPT practitioner accreditation. The workshop is open to recently qualified and more experienced staff looking for a refresher.

Details coming soon

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