Psychotherapy involves the patient and psychotherapist being in the same room talking. Therapists are trained to help patients and are knowledgeable in techniques to do so. They use these techniques to assist their patients in things like overcoming their personal issues, getting better after having a mental illness, and helping their clients to make the changes that they want in their own lives.

For those dealing with some form of depression, psychotherapy may be an option that proves effective in the long run. It can provide tools to work on the issues that you feel you would like to be different while giving human support and valuable assistance in understanding and working through various things.

If you are considering pursuing psychotherapy for depression, know that it works well in treating depression because it is often able to help individuals get into the reasons why they are feeling that way and pick up coping skills to deal with it better.

The following types of therapy are supported by evidence that shows that they may treat depression. Studies suggest that a combination of psychotherapy and an antidepressant may be helpful as well due to the bio-psycho-social nature of some mood disorders.

Cognitive Therapy

This type of therapy embraces the idea that thoughts can influence emotions. It helps patients identify ways that they think negatively (cognitive distortions).

Behavioral Therapy

This treatment focuses on attempting to change behaviors. It actually uses conditioning principles to reinforce the wanted behaviors while getting rid of the undesirable ones.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Known as CBT for short, this type of therapy combines elements of behavioral and cognitive therapy. Together, they combine to treat anxiety disorders and depression.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

A type of CBT, this therapy’s goal is teaching skills to the patient so that they will be able to deal with regulating emotions, stress, and improving their relationships with other people. This type of therapy comes from the process of dialectics. This is where dialectics comes together to consider that everything is made out of opposite things and the change happens when an opposing force is more strong. It involves mindfulness practices adapted from Buddhist traditions.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Based on the approach that depression occurs due to unresolved and unconscious conflicts (some from childhood). This type of therapy’s goal is for patients to become increasingly aware of their emotional range, including negative emotions, and help them recognize those feelings, enduring them and putting them into a better perspective.

Interpersonal Therapy

This therapy focuses on past social roles as well as those we occupy in the present and our interpersonal interactions. A therapist chooses areas to work on with their client and focuses on those.

Types of Therapy

Individual- Work is done one on one between a therapist and patient. Full attention of therapist on patient but also does not give the therapist the chance to see what the client is like in any other setting.

Family- This approach focuses on improving family dynamics.

Group- A variety of patients. Offers group support and therapists the opportunity to observe how each acts in a group setting.

Couples- For those in relationships that want to improve their relationship.

Make an effort to find the best therapist and approach for you. Do your research and remember that you can try out therapists. You can always change your therapist if you do not feel the one you are seeing is helpful.