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