Psychotherapy for Depression
Psychotherapy for depression involves the patient talking to a therapist about factors that might be making them feel depressed during sessions that can be as long as 90 minutes.
Also called talk therapy, psychotherapy is one of the first forms of treatment recommended for people with depression. Identifying the patient’s triggers and teaching them more effective ways to cope with them serve as treatment for depression. Talk therapy works well on its own, and it can be combined with medication for patients with severe depression.
Factors that lead to depression can be worsened by chemical imbalances in the patient’s brain or their genetics. Addressing the medical causes of depression is just as crucial as addressing the psychological causes. Treatment is personalized for this reason to provide comprehensive treatment for their condition.
How psychotherapy treats depression
Psychotherapy treatment for depression is about understanding why a patient is overwhelmed with negative emotions and teaching them how to navigate past them. It helps people with depression to:
- Regain a sense of pleasure and control.
- Understand emotions, behaviors, and ideas that contribute to their mental health disorder.
- Identify and understand how past trauma might be contributing to their depressed state.
- Learn how to cope better and navigate past challenging situations.
Psychotherapy sessions are available in various formats. Individual sessions involve the patient and therapist having a one-on-one session, while group sessions usually involve multiple people dealing with similar issues. A patient's family members or spouse might also be invited to their sessions. The different types of therapy that might be recommended for patients with depression include the following.
Psychodynamic therapy
This form of therapy works off the assumption that the patient’s depression is caused by unresolved unconscious conflicts, which typically stem from childhood. The purpose of this type of therapy is to help the patient understand and better cope with the feelings created by their past experiences. This type of therapy often goes on for a few months, but some patients might need it for much longer.
Interpersonal therapy
Interpersonal therapy focuses on the types of interactions and behaviors that a depressed patient has with their friends and family members. The goal of this type of therapy is to improve the person’s communication skills and confidence during a short amount of time. This type of therapy is effective on depression caused by significant life events, relationship conflicts, and social isolation.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
This type of therapy focuses on identifying and changing inaccurate perceptions that might be contributing to the patient’s mental health disorder. It involves teaching patients new ways of thinking and behaving by identifying the assumptions that they make about others and themselves. People who can benefit from this type of treatment include:
- Patients with behaviors that trigger their depression.
- Patients with mild to moderate depression.
- Patients who are not interested in taking antidepressant medication.
Check out what others are saying about our therapy services on Yelp: Therapy in Columbia, MD
Take control of your mental health
Depression can take the fun out of all the things that you once loved, and it can affect your relationships. Call or stop by our Columbia clinic to set up an appointment with our therapist.
Request an appointment or call Springs Health LLC at 410-772-0774 for an appointment in our Columbia office.
