You know things are not right, and so do the others in your life. Perhaps the question “So what?” runs through your mind every time you think of doing something – even just getting something to eat. Perhaps your tearfulness is difficult for your family members to understand. Perhaps you feel guilty, worthless and hopeless. Perhaps you know what depression feels like – and you’re asking, “How can just talking can change this overwhelming feeling?”
Research since the 1980′s consistently shows that talk therapy for depression works, and the therapy is relatively short term – generally about 10-15 sessions. Comparison studies find that talk therapy, specifically CBT therapies, are as effective as commonly prescribed medications for mild to moderate depression. For more severe depression research shows that talk therapy in combination with medication provides better relapse prevention (becoming clinically depressed again) than medication or talk therapies alone. DeRubeis, Siegle, & Hollon (2008) suggest that for severe depression there is a small improvement in short term with talk therapy and medication; however, the overall improvement on long term outcomes is insignificant to that of talk therapy or medication alone. Cost analysis suggests that talk therapy is generally cheaper in the long run. Given the cost, side effects and compliance issues with medications, it seems that for all but the most severe cases of depression, attempting talk therapy is a practical and prudent treatment approach.
The initial focus of talk therapy will be to assess and educate on the process. Your therapist will then work on addressing patterns of thinking that create feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Behaviors that are incompatible with depression may then be discussed that will help. Finally, symptom recognition and planning for relapse prevention should be considered. Research also shows that counseling effectiveness depends on what is called the “therapeutic alliance” or your feeling that your therapist understands you and is working with you to create change. AdultSpan Counseling uses regular check ins to be sure your therapist is addressing what you want, in ways that work for you, with outcomes that you define.
Perhaps you know what depression feels like… if so, all the research in the world doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you know this isn’t you. Depression isn’t normal at any stage of life. AdultSpan Counseling can help with a variety of evidenced based therapy and we’ll start the plan to end therapy and get back to life from the first session. If you or someone you know appears to be sad, withdrawn, or disinterested in life’s activities, call AdultSpan Counseling 402-429-6879. Let’s talk about your goals today.
J. Kipp Lanning, PLMHP
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Cuijpers, P., van Straten, A, Warmerdam, L, & Andersson, G (2009). Psychotherapy versus the combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of depression: A meta-analysis. Depression and Anxiety 26, 279–288.
DeRubeis, R. J., Siegle, G. J., & Hollon, S. D. (2008). Cognitive therapy versus medication for depression: Treatment outcomes and neural mechanisms. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(10), p788-796.
Sava, F. A, Yates, B. T., Lupu, V., Szentagotai, A., Daniel, D (2009). Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of cognitive therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy, and fluoxetine (prozac) in treating depression: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65, 36-52.
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J. Kipp Lanning, LIMHP
