What Types of Therapy Are Helpful For Depression?

Your alarm is going off. You’ve hit snooze twice already, but the thought of getting out of bed and facing the day makes you cringe and pull up the covers. You don’t know what’s wrong exactly, but you haven’t been feeling like yourself. You’ve been so drained, and everything feels three times as hard as it used to be. You’re not sleeping well. You can’t concentrate, and you feel entirely blah and unmotivated. You have no interest in seeing anyone or doing the things you used to enjoy doing. You get annoyed at the slightest thing. You feel down and sad and can’t shake it off. Could it be depression?

As you’ve probably heard, depression rates jumped significantly in 2020 when Covid-19 hit, which makes sense. It’s been a rough few years for most of us. But even as the pandemic began to subside, depression rates have continued to rise. Today, one in three Americans suffer from depression. It’s important to know you are not alone and that support is available.

One of the most common sources of support is professional counseling, or what’s known as “talk therapy.”  Whether in person or through virtual counseling, you and your therapist will work together on building effective coping skills to get you feeling like your old self again.

At Simi Psychological Group, our therapists are trained in many techniques and approaches to help clients navigate these mental health challenges and make positive changes in their lives. Still, not all therapists use the same approach in depression therapy. So, how do you know what to look for? What types of treatment are helpful for depression? To answer these questions, continue reading or speak with one of our professionals at (805) 842-1994.

As the leading team of psychologists in Moorpark, our team has put together a guide to the most common and effective types of therapy for depression. Let’s start with the alphabet of approaches:

CBT-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, commonly known as CBT, is among the most common therapy approaches to depression and is highly effective. CBT focuses on how we think about things and how our thoughts drive our emotions and behaviors. Therapists who use CBT will work with you on identifying ways in which you might be thinking about things that are unhelpful, problematic, or that exacerbate negative feelings. The therapist will help you recognize patterns that are working against you and help you explore ways in which you can make some positive changes that will help you feel better emotionally.

DBT- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is an approach that is based on cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s a skills-based approach, helping clients build specific tools to cope with stress and manage thoughts and feelings. Its primary goal is to improve emotional regulation. It incorporates mindfulness, helping people learn how to live in the moment, and focuses on improving their relationships with others. DBT is a beneficial therapy approach for depression.

ACT- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy, referred to as “ACT,” is an evidence-based approach rooted in CBT. It looks at how our thoughts impact our emotions and behaviors. ACT includes six components that, when practiced together, are aimed at increasing our overall psychological flexibility. It’s an approach that incorporates mindfulness as one of the six components. ACT has been proven to be as effective in treating depression as CBT.

IPT- Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal therapy focuses on one’s interpersonal connections and relationships. It explores the significant relationships in our lives and helps us understand how some of these relationships may be affecting our emotional health and well-being. Your therapist will help you develop skills and strategies to manage your emotions, actions, and reactions and improve your relationships.

Talk Therapy with Medication

Whenever we experience a significant change in our mood or emotional health, it’s always a good idea to check in with our primary care physician to rule out any medical issues. As a measure of ethical practice, your therapist may recommend seeing your primary care doctor if you haven’t already done so.

When you speak with your doctor about your depression, the medication question will likely come up. It can be a complex topic as some people have very strong feelings for or against the use of psychotropic medication, but in reality, medication can be beneficial. The combination of talk therapy and medication has been shown to be the most effective approach in the treatment of chronic depression.

Group Therapy

Group therapy can be enormously helpful in providing support and helping you feel less alone in your struggle with depression.  You can participate in group therapy on its own or use it in combination with seeing your therapist. Therapy groups generally consist of anywhere from 3-15 people, though usually, the goal is 6-10.

Depression can be a debilitating mental health issue, and treatment is essential. The above is not an exclusive list in treating depression, but it’s a good start. The truth is therapists often incorporate a number of these different techniques and approaches as they work with their clients.

If you are struggling with depression, remember you are not alone. Getting the proper support makes all the difference in how we move through our issues. When looking into therapy, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your therapist and like it’s a good fit. The various forms of therapy matter, but the magic is in the relationship between you and your therapist.

The professionals at Simi Psychological Group are the leading psychologists in the Moorpark area. Our team of licensed therapists can help you achieve your mental wellness goals with the wide range of services available. From teen therapy, depression, anxiety, and more, there is a professional that can support your mental health at Simi Psychological Group. To learn more, contact us at (805) 842-1994.

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