It is not for us to 'discount' psychodynamic or, a related approach, "person-centered" counseling totally. But it

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 Psychological "talking" Therapy

Psychological "talking" therapy (also known as counseling) has evolved and been refined over the past few decades. Additional research is helping the experts to understand what is effective and what is not. One of the most important conclusions is that therapy or counseling should focus on equipping people with skills rather than digging through their past. The broad goals of therapy should be (1) getting the patient's basic emotional needs met and (2) helping the patient find solutions to his or her immediate problems. Psychological "talking" therapy can be effective in overcoming depression when it focuses on:

  1. What we do - Behavioral Therapy
  2. How we think about things - Cognitive Therapy
  3. How we relate to others - Interpersonal Therapy
  4. How things are going to be better in the future - Solution focused Therapy

Some experts are very critical of therapies that focus on why you are depressed or what went wrong in the past. This focus on the past has been termed "Psychological Archaeology." They feel that these types of therapies, including psychodynamic therapy or "person-centered' counseling, will tend to make one's depression worse, not better. In addition, some therapists have been sued for using these "past-based" therapies for depression. Many experts feel that these "past-based" therapies are contraindicated or counterproductive in the treatment of depression and anxiety conditions. The critics have identified some major problems with this type of counseling:

  • the focus is primarily on the past, not the present or future.
  • depressed patients are already spending too much time focusing on the past.
  • a central concept is to discover "the reason why" for the depression. (Usually there is no single reason for one's depression and even if the reason were "discovered," the depression would not go away.
  • focusing on the past increasing rumination. This only causes more emotional pain, not less, and gives the patient more to worry about.
  • there is usually no direction or future plan given to the patient.
  • there is no fixed time period for the treatment.

NOTE: It is important to understand what type of therapy is being proposed for you. A number of depression experts have stated that the majority of health care professionals and medical practitioners are relatively uninformed as to which psychotherapies are effective for depression, and which psychotherapies make it worse.

Types of Psychological "talking" Therapy

Behavioral Therapy for Depression

Behavioral therapy focuses on a person's behavior or "what we do." The basic idea of behavioral theory is that behavior is of greatest importance in evaluating a depression patient. Other aspects of an individual, such as the inner processes of thought and emotion are of little importance according to this theory. Therefore, if a patient feels miserable it is because of his or her behavior. The traditional behavioral therapist is more interested in observed behavior than in the thoughts and emotions of their patients.

However, research studies have confirmed that people's perceptions and thought processes are of major importance when overcoming depression.

Cognitive Therapy for Depression

Cognitive therapy focuses on how a patient things about things. It is usually a short term process, about ten weeks, and it targets negative thoughts and attitudes. The goal is to replace the negative thoughts and attitudes with a more positive and realistic view of the world and themselves.

Cognitive therapy is based on the premise that all emotions comes from thoughts. For example: If you think about something frightening, you will feel fear. Or if you think about a sad event, you will feel sad. The goal is for the depressed patient to realize what is happening and to stop. Patients learn to "catch" their negative thoughts and challenge them.

Cognitive therapy can become complex and difficult for the patient to understand. The therapist must be skilled and use consideration for the patient's pace and manner of learning.

It is well understood that changing thinking styles is absolutely essential if you suffer from depression. Any therapist or counselor who does not discuss this with you is going about it the wrong direction ! However, if applied skillfully, this method of therapy has done very well in the research for helping depression patients and preventing relapse of depression.

Interpersonal Therapy for Depression

Interpersonal therapy focuses on the way people relate with, communicate and express themselves with other people in their lives. This therapy method helps a person communicate more effectively with others therefore decreasing stressors. It also tends to focus more on past and present relationships and examine how they affect the patient's current functioning.

The therapist will determine whether a person is assertive, aggressive or timid or has "social skills." It is well known that depression sufferers lack satisfaction in various relationships - family, work and social.

Many, perhaps a large majority, of depression sufferers exhibit what is called "poor social skills." These social skills usually include:

  • being less assertive
  • less positive or more negative
  • having poor eye contact and negative facial expressions
  • having less interaction in group situations
  • inappropriate behavior or questioning
  • not knowing what to say in social situations

Interpersonal therapy can be a very practical and helpful process for some people because communication skills can be learned.

Solution focused Therapy for Depression

Solution focused therapy emphasizes finding solutions to current problems rather than past hurts. The past is not ignored but the main emphasis is on teaching new skills for future wellness. Another goal is to keep the therapy brief and focused. Solution focused therapy can be a very hopeful and motivational form of therapy.

Conclusion

Each type of "talking" therapy can contribute to overcoming depression. Good depression counseling uses all tools that are available. In general, therapy that is brief, concentrates on problem solving, focuses attention away from emotions and improves relationship skills are more highly recommended.

Often depression patients realize that they are simply suffering a normal response to excessive levels of emotional introspection. Once this introspection is addressed, the symptoms of depression begin to fade. Being able to challenge depressive thinking and behavior is one of the keys to a depression-free life.

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