| There are a wide number of different types of | | | | perspective and those who are more |
| effective therapeutic approaches utilized for the | | | | cognitively-oriented are also likely to do better with this |
| treatment of depression today. These range from | | | | approach. |
| cognitive behavioral therapy, to behavioral therapy (ala | | | | Interpersonal therapy is another short-term therapy |
| Lewinsohn), to interpersonal therapy, to rational | | | | utilized in the treatment of depression. Focus of this |
| emotive therapy, to family and psychodynamic | | | | treatment approach is usually on an individual's social |
| approaches. Both individual and group modalities are | | | | relationships, and specifically on how to improve them. |
| commonly used, depending upon the severity of the | | | | It is thought that good, stable social support is |
| depressive episode and the local resources within an | | | | imperative to a person's overall well-being and health |
| individual's community. | | | | within this framework. When relationships falter, a |
| Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most popular and | | | | person directly suffers from the negativity and |
| commonly used therapy for the effective treatment of | | | | unhealthiness of that relationship. Therapy seeks to |
| depression. Hundreds of research studies have been | | | | improve a person's relationship skills, working on |
| conducted to date which verify its safety and | | | | communication more effectively, expressing emotions |
| effectiveness in use to help treat people who suffer | | | | appropriately, being properly assertive in social and |
| from this disorder. Aaron T. Beck is the father of this | | | | occupational situations, etc. It is usually conducted, like |
| therapeutic technique and he has authored books and | | | | cognitive-behavioral therapy, on an individual basis but |
| studies supporting cognitive-behavioral therapy. | | | | can also be used within a group therapy framework. |
| Consisting of a number of useful and simple techniques | | | | Most individual approaches, whether they are |
| which focus on the internal dialogue which takes place | | | | cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, behavioral, |
| within a person's mind, cognitive-behavioral therapy is | | | | rational-emotive, or what-have-you, will emphasize the |
| not concerned with causes of the depression so much | | | | importance of the client taking a pro-active approach in |
| as what a person can do, right now, to help change | | | | therapy. That is, the patient is encouraged to do daily |
| the way they are feeling. | | | | or weekly |
| Therapy begins by establishing a supportive | | | | homework assignments in-between therapy sessions |
| therapeutic environment which is positive and | | | | which are imperative to the success of the treatment |
| reinforcing for the individual. Educating the client within | | | | approach. Therapy is an active collaboration between |
| the first session or two is usually the next step about | | | | therapist and client. If the client is not yet able to |
| how depression for many people is caused by faulty | | | | participate actively in therapy, then a supportive |
| cognitions. The numerous types of faulty thinking that | | | | environment should be provided until medication helps |
| we as humans do are discussed (e.g., all or nothing | | | | energize the individual further. |
| thinking, misattribution of blame, overgeneralization, etc.) | | | | Psychoanalytic or psychodynamic approaches in the |
| and the client is encouraged to begin noting his or her | | | | treatment of depression have little research to support |
| thoughts as they occur throughout the day. This is | | | | their use at this time. While many therapists may make |
| imperative to further success in treatment, for the | | | | use of psychodynamic theoretical constructs to help |
| individual must understand how common and often | | | | conceptualize an individual's personality or specific |
| these thoughts are occurring during a single day. | | | | case, it is likely that applied approaches in these areas |
| In cognitive-behavioral therapy, emphasis is placed on | | | | are ineffective and should be avoided. |
| discussing these thoughts and the behaviors | | | | Family or couples therapy should be considered when |
| associated with depression. While emotions are | | | | the individual's depression is directly affecting family |
| certainly a focus of some of the time throughout | | | | dynamics or the health of significant relationship. Such |
| therapy, it is thought within this theoretical framework | | | | therapy focuses on the interpersonal relationships |
| that thoughts and behaviors are more likely to change | | | | shared amongst family members and seeks to ensure |
| emotions than trying to attempt a post-mortem | | | | that communications are clear and without double |
| analysis of why a person is feeling the way they are. | | | | (hidden) meanings. The roles played by various family |
| Because of this approach, cognitive-behavioral therapy | | | | members in reinforcing the depression within the |
| is short-term (usually conducted under two dozen | | | | patient are often examined as well. Education about |
| sessions) and works best for people experiencing a | | | | depression in general can also be an important role of |
| fair amount of distress relating to their depression. | | | | such therapy. |
| Individuals who can approach a problem from a unique | | | | |