Psychotherapy (cont.)
Types of Therapy
Therapy can be given in a variety of formats, including:
- Individual -- This therapy involves only the patient and the therapist.
- Group -- Two or more patients may participate in therapy at the same time. Patients are able to share experiences and learn that others feel the same way, and have had the same experiences.
- Marital/couples -- This type of therapy helps spouses and partners understand why their loved one has depression, what changes in communication and behaviors can help, and what they can do to cope.
- Family -- Because family is a key part of the team that helps people with depression get better, it is sometimes helpful for family members to understand what their loved one is going through, how they themselves can cope, and what they can do to help.
Approaches to Therapy
While therapy can be done in different formats -- like family, group, and individual, there are also several different approaches that mental health
professionals can take to provide therapy. After talking with the patient about
their depression, the therapist will decide which approach to use based on the
suspected underlying factors contributing to the depression.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is based on the assumption that a person is depressed
because of unresolved, generally unconscious conflicts, often stemming from
childhood. The goal of this type of therapy is for the patient to understand and
cope better with these feelings by talking about the experiences. Psychodynamic
therapy is administered over a period of weeks to months to years.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy focuses on the behaviors and interactions a depressed
patient has with family and friends. The primary goal of this therapy is to
improve communication skills and increase self-esteem during a short period of
time. It usually lasts three to four months and works well for depression caused
by mourning, relationship conflicts, major life events, and social isolation.
Psychodynamic and interpersonal therapies help patients resolve depression
caused by:
- Loss (grief)
- Relationship conflicts
- Role transitions (such as becoming a mother or a caregiver)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people with depression to identify and
change inaccurate perceptions that they may have of themselves and the world
around them. The therapist helps the patient establish new ways of thinking by
directing attention to both the "wrong" and "right" assumptions they make about
themselves and others.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is recommended for patients:
Who think and behave in ways that trigger and perpetuate depression.
- Who think and behave in ways that trigger and perpetuate depression.
- Of all ages who have depression that causes suffering, disability, or
interpersonal problems.
Next: Therapy tips »
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - Read about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks), causes (war, traumatic events), effects (depression, suicide) and treatment (medication, therapy).
- Panic Attacks - Read about panic attack (panic disorder) symptoms, causes (stress, anxiety, fear) and treatment (medication, psychotherapy). Learn how to prevent panic attacks.
- Depression - Read about depression causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and types, including manic depression (bipolar disorder), postpartum depression and clinical depression.
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