Depression Counselling

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, also simply CBT, motivates a person to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors associated with them. Individuals who suffer from depression mostly suffer from negative thought patterns. These patterns of thought may impact our behavior. In turn, behavior impacts thought patterns. This forms a continual cycle of negative thoughts and depressed moods. In a lot of cases, people’s thought patterns are partially a result of their core beliefs. Therapists who apply CBT help patients point out their core beliefs, talk about the negative thoughts that come from them, and adjust their actions accordingly.

Many studies have shown that CBT is an effective treatment for depression. Some of them are as follows: 

• There was a study that found CBT just as effective as antidepressant medications in curing patients of depression. In the same study, it was also found that patients who finished the full course of CBT sessions were more likely not to experience a relapse of their depression symptoms after treatment than the ones who received only medication.
• Another, more recent study evaluated that patients treated with CBT had a major improvement in their depression symptoms.

However, it is necessary to take into account that some research does find mixed results, and patients with the strongest of symptoms also normally show the most improvement from therapy.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy is almost the same as CBT. As a matter of fact, many of its tactics are based on CBT. However, DBT is different in the way that it teaches clients to identify, accept, and regulate their emotions. As the name shows, DBT helps clients get involved in a “dialogue” with their emotions and behaviors. Therapists teach their clients to challenge the contradictions in the attitudes and emotions that are holding them back from making positive changes in their life. DBT offers a lot of benefits in curing and treating depression itself. Studies have supported these benefits, such as one study which was published in a 2016 issue of Child and Adolescent Mental Health reported an “improvement in depressive symptoms for adolescents following a course of DBT.” Other studies have shown improvements for adults and even for the elderly at a similar level.

Behavioral Activation (BA)

Behavioral activation is similar to both CBT and DBT. Just like the other two types of therapy, BA is focused on a client’s behaviors and thoughts. Mostly, behavioral activation is used in conjunction with other therapeutic tactics to cure depression. BA helps patients get used to a long-term coping strategy by identifying specific goals and putting the effort in to meet those goals. When an individual is depressed, he or she might attempt to avoid certain activities like social events. Therapists use behavioral activation to create positive reinforcements and help clients make an action plan to help them overcome behaviors that could have been avoided.

The client becomes increasingly confident and begins to work towards realistic goals. This results in the sense of positivity and accomplishment being reinforced. In turn, clients begin to reduce depressive thoughts and behaviors. Behavioral activation is hardly used on its own. It is most likely to be used along with other therapeutic techniques as part of a holistic treatment plan. However, being used without therapeutic techniques, BA has been seen to help clients with low to moderate levels of depression. Though, researchers write that the best results mostly come from a full-scale treatment. It is also important to consider that behavioral activation is a rather new therapy. Due to this, some studies have concluded that more research has to be done before the real efficacy of behavioral activation for major depressive disorder may be noted.

Problem-Solving Therapy (PST)

Problem-solving therapy is another therapeutic technique. This technique helps patients cope with stresses in life that negatively impact their mental health. Stress is experienced by everyone, but extreme stresses in life (life stressors), also known as chronic stress, could take a huge toll on our mental health. PST is crafted in a way to help people that struggle with depression or anxiety to identify and manage those stressors. In practicing PST, it builds off of techniques that are established like adaptive problem-solving and mindfulness to help clients understand and cope with stress better. PST is also helpful to clients by being more effective in processing negative emotions that may occur when we experience hardships, like the loss of our job or the death of a loved one.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) For Depression

Interpersonal therapy was initially formed to help treat adults suffering from depression. It is now being used to treat other mental health disorders increasingly, as well. The goal of IPT is to help clients that suffer from mild to moderate depression, help them address the problems with interpersonal connections, and improve relationships. Almost like problem-solving therapy, IPT focuses on the patient’s actions and reactions. Normally, IPT is time-limited, which means that treatment could only last for about 20 sessions. The length may vary based on the client and what they need. In this time, the therapist and client:

• Identify important interpersonal relationships in the client’s life;
• Address how these relationships affect them mentally;
• Learn skills and strategies to enhance these relationships.

Research has shown that IPT may have a positive impact on individuals suffering from depression. Even though I could be more effective when incorporated into other forms of therapy, such as CBT.