Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for Depression

Overview
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of psychotherapy. A therapist may use only CBT techniques, or CBT in combination with other types of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy may be used to treat depression on its own or in combination with antidepressant medications.

What does it involve?
CBT is a type of talk therapy. CBT sessions involve interacting with a mental health professional trained and licensed trained in using CBT techniques. CBT focuses on identifying and correcting negative ways of thinking that lead to depression. CBT can provide insight to view situations more clearly and teach more effective ways to deal with problems.

CBT is a brief form of psychotherapy. CBT sessions are commonly scheduled once a week for 10 to 15 weeks.

Intended Outcomes
The goal of psychotherapy is to treat the psychological causes of depression. Therapy can help depressed people deal with grief or losses, find better ways to handle relationship conflicts, and resolve difficulties surrounding life transitions.

Results
Psychotherapy is often the first treatment recommended for those who have depression. CBT is one type of therapy that has been found effective in treating some people with depression.

Constraints
Fatigue or other symptoms of depression may make it difficult to make and keep therapy appointments.

While some health insurance plans cover therapy, coverage may be limited. Therapy can be expensive if you are paying privately.

Depending on where you live, it may be difficult to travel to therapy appointments.

Links

Psychotherapy for Depression – Cleveland Clinic
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_c...

Depression – American Psychological Association
http://www.apa.org/topics/depress/recover.aspx

Cognitive behavioral therapy – Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cogn...