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