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Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT)

What is DIT?

Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) is a short-term talking therapy for depression. It helps you understand how your relationships and life experiences may influence the way you feel today.

Together with your therapist, you will explore patterns in your relationships and how these may be connected to feelings of depression. By developing a greater understanding of these patterns, you can begin to make positive changes in your relationships and emotional wellbeing.

Who is DIT for?

DIT may be helpful if:

  • Depression is your main difficulty
  • Difficulties in relationships are affecting your wellbeing
  • You are interested in understanding yourself and your relationships more deeply
  • You feel ready to engage in a focused, structured therapy

DIT may not be helpful if:

  • You don’t have any close relationships
  • You struggle to trust others
  • You blame others for your problems
  • Your mood is very changeable

What happens in DIT?

DIT sessions are generally 50 minutes. Over the course of treatment, you will work with your therapist to:

  • Better understand your thoughts, feelings, and patterns in relationships
  • Explore new ways of responding to interpersonal difficulties
  • Make positive changes that support your wellbeing
  • Monitor your progress throughout therapy

DIT takes place in three stages:

  • Getting started - You and your therapist will explore your past and present relationships to find a recurring pattern and agree on what you would like to change in your relationships going forwards.
  • Working together - You will focus on your present relationships and how you respond to others. You will work on making the changes you have agreed.
  • Ending - You will review the progress you have made and think about your experience of ending therapy and how this is different or similar to other endings in your life.

Accessing this treatment

To access this therapy, you will need to complete an assessment with NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies and be offered this treatment by one of our therapists. You may be offered a different treatment if we believe another therapy or service may be better suited to your needs.