There are many different types of psychotherapy, but they all have one thing in common: talking.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is the most common psychotherapy treatment for depression–and is effective. The National Alliance on Mental Illness defines CBT as a treatment “that focuses on patterns of thinking that are maladaptive and the beliefs that underline such thinking.”
Therapists help patients view their beliefs as hypotheses that must be tested instead of fact and ask them to monitor automatic thoughts in order to find patterns and biases. Ultimately, they try to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, working from the foundation that thought influences mood.
CBT has been shown to be as effective as antidepressants in treating depression. It also significantly reduces depression relapse rates–and does so better than some antidepressant medications.
Related material:
The culture of depression and treatment
Who should I go to?
