Psychotherapy: Therapy for Depression Treatment
“Psychotherapy” is the term used to describe depression treatment that involves talking to a mental health professional about your condition. Psychotherapy is also known as counseling, talk therapy or psychosocial therapy.
Psychotherapists come from a variety of different health backgrounds, including:
- Counseling
- Nursing
- Psychiatry
- Psychoanalysis
- Psychology
- Social work.
The Purpose of Therapy for Depression
Ultimately, the purpose of undergoing therapy for depression is to deal with the psychosocial and environmental causes of depression, such as a difficult breakup or negative thinking patterns. Other types of depression treatment don’t deal directly with these issues.
Therapy for depression teaches you to:
- Develop stress management and coping skills
- Make necessary changes in your lifestyle, social relationships, thinking patterns, etc.
- Problem solve
- Take better control of your condition.
What to Expect From Therapy for Depression
Typically you meet with your therapist once a week for approximately one hour. During your first few sessions, your therapist may ask you many questions in an effort to understand the factors contributing to your depression. You may find it difficult to talk about these things at first, but the more open you are about your situation and condition, the more effective your counseling sessions will be. The point of therapy for depression is to work through these difficult issues. As part of your depression treatment, your therapist might assign you small tasks or activities to try outside the counseling sessions.
Group therapy for depression is usually an option. In this case, one psychotherapist facilitates the group discussions and activities, but everyone in the group has the opportunity to support and learn from one another.
Different Types of Therapy for Depression
If you’re considering psychotherapy, you can choose from many different types of therapy for depression. With the help of your health care provider, you can choose the type of counseling that best suits your needs, preferences and situation.
Some of the most popular types of psychotherapy include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, which involves substituting positive thoughts and behaviors for negative ones.
- Family therapy, which involves other family members in the therapy process.
- Interpersonal therapy, which focuses on current social relationships and how to build healthier relationships.
- Psychoeducation, which involves learning about depression, including causes, symptoms, treatment, etc.
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy, which delves into your unconscious thoughts and behaviors in search of factors that help explain your condition.
Is Therapy Right for You?
For many people, psychotherapy is an effective form of depression treatment. The length of time you spend in therapy for depression depends on a variety of factors, such as the severity of your condition. Some people receive counseling for a few months, while others with very severe cases of depression require long-term counseling.
Resources
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2008). Psychotherapy. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/psychotherapy/MY00186.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010). Treatment and drugs. Retrieved May 7, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs.
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.) Psychotherapy. Retrieved May 19, 2010, from the National Institute of Mental Health website: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/psychotherapy.shtml.
Nemade, R., Staats Reiss, N., & Dombeck, M. (2007). Major depression and other unipolar depressions. Retrieved May 5, 2010, from the MentalHealth.net website: www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=438&cn=5.