Research
IPSRT was developed at the University of Pittsburgh by Ellen Frank Ph.D. and colleagues. It was originally studied as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar I disorder. Researchers found that IPSRT gave patients a significantly longer time before the occurrence of a new episode. Participants in IPSRT also had significantly higher regularity in daily routines and showed improved occupational functioning. In a study of IPSRT for acute bipolar depression, patients had a shorter time to recovered status than patients in the control group. Although IPSRT is typically administered as an adjunctive treatment (i.e., in combination with medication), it has been tested as monotherapy (i.e., without medication) for bipolar II depression, showing that some individuals with bipolar II disorder can improve with IPSRT alone.
IPSRT has additionally been tested as a treatment for adolescents with bipolar disorder, to prevent onset of illness in adolescents at risk for bipolar disorder, and for individuals across levels of care (e.g. inpatient, outpatient) in a large hospital system. We have also developed and tested an online version of IPSRT (Rhythms And You; RAY) for individuals with bipolar disorder.
SRT has been adapted and tested by Holly Swartz, M.D., first as a telephone-based intervention for major depressive disorder (administered in combination with medication) and more recently as a telehealth intervention for youth and young adults with bipolar disorder.
Certification
Certification in IPSRT is available through the International Society of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (ISIPT). To obtain IPSRT certification, therapists must become a member of ISIPT and first certify as an Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) therapist before applying for “Added Qualifications” in IPSRT. Completion of this website’s course can be used to support an application for IPT certification. Please see the ISIPT website for more information about certification.
Resources
If you are interested in learning more about the IPSRT treatment program, please refer to the IPSRT manual, Treating Bipolar Disorder: A Clinician's Guide to Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (Ellen Frank, Guildford Press, 2007). If you wish to learn more about SRT, please refer to The Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder: Stabilize your Circadian Rhythms to Reduce Stress, Manage Moods, and Prevent Future Episodes (Holly Swartz, New Harbinger Publications, 2024).
Corruble, E., H. A. Swartz, T. Bottai, G. Vaiva, F. Bayle, P. M. Llorca, P. Courtet, E. Frank and P. Gorwood (2016). "Telephone-administered psychotherapy in combination with antidepressant medication for the acute treatment of major depressive disorder." J Affect Disord 190: 6-11.
Crowe, M., M. Inder, H. A. Swartz, G. Murray and R. Porter (2020). "Social rhythm therapy-A potentially translatable psychosocial intervention for bipolar disorder." Bipolar Disord 22(2): 121-127.
Frank, E., D. J. Kupfer, C. L. Ehlers, T. H. Monk, C. Cornes, S. Carter and D. Frankel (1994). "Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy for bipolar disorder: Integrating interpersonal and behavioral approaches." Behavior Therapist 17(7): 143-149.
Frank, E., D. J. Kupfer, M. E. Thase, A. G. Mallinger, H. A. Swartz, A. M. Fagiolini, V. Grochocinski, P. Houck, J. Scott, W. Thompson and T. Monk (2005). "Two-year outcomes for interpersonal and social rhythm therapy in individuals with bipolar I disorder." Arch Gen Psychiatry 62(9): 996-1004.
Frank, E., H. A. Swartz and E. Boland (2007). "Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy: an intervention addressing rhythm dysregulation in bipolar disorder." Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience 9(3): 325-332.
Goldstein, T. R., J. Merranko, M. Krantz, M. Garcia, P. Franzen, J. Levenson, D. Axelson, B. Birmaher and E. Frank (2018). "Early intervention for adolescents at-risk for bipolar disorder: A pilot randomized trial of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT)." J Affect Disord 235: 348-356.
Corruble, E., H. A. Swartz, T. Bottai, G. Vaiva, F. Bayle, P. M. Llorca, P. Courtet, E. Frank and P. Gorwood (2016). "Telephone-administered psychotherapy in combination with antidepressant medication for the acute treatment of major depressive disorder." J Affect Disord 190: 6-11.
Crowe, M., M. Inder, H. A. Swartz, G. Murray and R. Porter (2020). "Social rhythm therapy-A potentially translatable psychosocial intervention for bipolar disorder." Bipolar Disord 22(2): 121-127.
Frank, E., D. J. Kupfer, C. L. Ehlers, T. H. Monk, C. Cornes, S. Carter and D. Frankel (1994). "Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy for bipolar disorder: Integrating interpersonal and behavioral approaches." Behavior Therapist 17(7): 143-149.
Frank, E., D. J. Kupfer, M. E. Thase, A. G. Mallinger, H. A. Swartz, A. M. Fagiolini, V. Grochocinski, P. Houck, J. Scott, W. Thompson and T. Monk (2005). "Two-year outcomes for interpersonal and social rhythm therapy in individuals with bipolar I disorder." Arch Gen Psychiatry 62(9): 996-1004.
Frank, E., H. A. Swartz and E. Boland (2007). "Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy: an intervention addressing rhythm dysregulation in bipolar disorder." Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience 9(3): 325-332.
Goldstein, T. R., J. Merranko, M. Krantz, M. Garcia, P. Franzen, J. Levenson, D. Axelson, B. Birmaher and E. Frank (2018). "Early intervention for adolescents at-risk for bipolar disorder: A pilot randomized trial of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT)." J Affect Disord 235: 348-356.
Hlastala, S. A. and E. Frank (2006). "Adapting interpersonal and social rhythm therapy to the developmental needs of adolescents with bipolar disorder." Development and Psychopathology 18(4): 1267-1288.
Inder, M. L., M. T. Crowe, S. E. Luty, J. D. Carter, S. Moor, C. M. Frampton and P. R. Joyce (2015). "Randomized, controlled trial of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy for young people with bipolar disorder." Bipolar Disord 17(2): 128-138.
Miklowitz, D. J., M. W. Otto, E. Frank, N. A. Reilly-Harrington, J. N. Kogan, G. S. Sachs, M. E. Thase, J. R. Calabrese, L. B. Marangell, M. J. Ostacher, J. Patel, M. R. Thomas, M. Araga, J. M. Gonzalez and S. R. Wisniewski (2007). "Intensive psychosocial intervention enhances functioning in patients with bipolar depression: results from a 9-month randomized controlled trial." Am J Psychiatry 164(9): 1340-1347.
Miklowitz, D. J., M. W. Otto, E. Frank, N. A. Reilly-Harrington, S. R. Wisniewski, J. N. Kogan, A. A. Nierenberg, J. R. Calabrese, L. B. Marangell, L. Gyulai, M. Araga, J. M. Gonzalez, E. R. Shirley, M. E. Thase and G. S. Sachs (2007). "Psychosocial treatments for bipolar depression: a 1-year randomized trial from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program." Arch Gen Psychiatry 64(4): 419-426.
Monk, T. H., E. Frank, J. M. Potts and D. J. Kupfer (2002). "A simple way to measure daily lifestyle regularity." J Sleep Res 11(3): 183-190.
Sankar, A., P. Panchal, D. A. Goldman, L. Colic, L. M. Villa, J. A. Kim, E. R. Lebowitz, E. Carrubba, B. Lecza, W. K. Silverman, H. A. Swartz and H. P. Blumberg (2021). "Telehealth Social Rhythm Therapy to Reduce Mood Symptoms and Suicide Risk Among Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar Disorder." Am J Psychother 74(4): 172-177.
Swartz, H. A., E. Frank and Y. Cheng (2012). "A randomized pilot study of psychotherapy and quetiapine for the acute treatment of bipolar II depression." Bipolar Disord 14(2): 211-216.
Swartz, H. A., E. Frank, K. O'Toole, N. Newman, H. Kiderman, S. Carlson, J. W. Fink, Y. Cheng, C. C. Maihoefer, K. F. Wells, P. R. Houck, T. Painter, S. H. Ortenzio, S. L. Simon, P. Henschke and F. Ghinassi (2011). "Implementing interpersonal and social rhythm therapy for mood disorders across a continuum of care." Psychiatr Serv 62(11): 1377-1380.
Swartz, H. A., J. C. Levenson and E. Frank (2012). "Psychotherapy for Bipolar II Disorder: The Role of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy." Prof Psychol Res Pr 43(2): 145-153.
Swartz, H. A., B. L. Rollman, D. C. Mohr, S. Sadow and E. Frank (2021). "A randomized pilot study of Rhythms And You (RAY): An internet-based program for bipolar disorder administered with and without clinical helper support in primary care." J Affect Disord 295: 183-191.
Swartz, H. A., P. Rucci, M. E. Thase, M. Wallace, E. Carretta, K. L. Celedonia and E. Frank (2018). "Psychotherapy Alone and Combined With Medication as Treatments for Bipolar II Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial." J Clin Psychiatry 79(2): 7-15.
