How to Deal With Depression With Talk Therapy

Depression is a serious medical condition that can affect many facets of your life. The most commonly used approaches to treat depression are medication and talk therapy. Your doctor will help you determine the best treatment option depending on your unique needs and the severity of your condition. When it comes to effectively dealing with depression with talk therapy, the therapist's gender, experience and cultural background should all be taken into consideration. This is because talk therapy is a highly personal experience and feeling comfortable is paramount for treatment to be successful.

Instructions

• 1

  Get a recommendation. Finding a therapist you believe in is easier said then done. Although professionals in this field undergo similar training, their approaches will vary. Do your research. Ask family or friends for a recommendation. If you are not comfortable doing this, ask your primary physician to recommend someone to you.

• 2

  Meet with possible candidates. After you've found a few candidates it will be important to meet with them to determine whether the chemistry between you is right. If you don't feel comfortable with your therapist, you won't be able to open up about the issues that are affecting your psychological well-being. A study performed by professor of counseling psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Bruce E. Wampold, PhD, analyzed 6,000 patients seeing more than 500 therapists. The study concluded that all schools of talk therapy can work---if the therapist is competent and in sync with his or her patient.

• 3

  Discuss your options. With the help of your therapist, determine what form of talk therapy will work best for you. Depending on the underlying cause of your depression, you may find that some forms of talk therapy feel more assuring than others. The most common types of psychotherapy used for treating depression include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy and interpersonal therapy.

• 4

  Keep your scheduled appointments and cooperate. Your engagement in the process is one of the most important elements in determining the success of your program. Many times your therapist will recommend lifestyle changes to complement your treatment. Take them seriously; combining talk therapy with a healthy diet and moderate exercise is one of the best ways to get your mood back on track.

• 5

  Be willing to let your guard down. Your therapist is a professional and will in no way judge you or take advantage of your vulnerability. Think of your talk therapy sessions as a safe zone and open up about the issues you are afraid to discuss with anyone else. This can bring an immense relief in itself. Many times, family secrets or personal demons have been locked away for so long that they trigger depression. Repressing emotions such as anger is another common culprit of depression that can be successfully dealt with through the acceptance that comes with talk therapy.

• 6

  Have faith. Numerous studies have shown that talk therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy can be very helpful in helping people to deal with depression. In the case of cognitive behavioral therapy, promising studies show that it appears to be as effective as antidepressant medication even in cases of severe depression. The most important component is that you are willing and able to truly engage in the psychotherapeutic process.