How to find the right therapist when treating depression

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in the world. In the United States, an estimated 21 million adults have experienced at least one episode of major depression.

However, depression is often undiagnosed and unreported, and actual numbers are believed to be higher. It also disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities and people who lack access to healthcare.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression is a group of disorders that involve persistent feelings of low moods, sadness, a loss of interest and enjoyment, difficulty functioning, and changes in behavior, such as changes in eating and sleeping habits. Symptoms and severity vary from person to person, and the condition is often a different experience for different people.

Symptoms can be debilitating, recurrence rates are common, and left untreated, episodes of depression persist for longer periods of time. Depression is also associated with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety and substance use disorders. Depression can also aggravate other medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, COPD, and diabetes.

Like any medical condition, depression requires treatment. Treatment can include psychotherapy and antidepressant medications. In the treatment of moderate or severe depression, a combination of psychotherapy and medications has been shown to be more effective than either treatment used on its own, and it may reduce the risk of relapse.

What is psychotherapy?

Also known as “talk therapy,” psychotherapy involves talking to a mental health professional. This can include talking one on one, talking as a couple or family, or as part of a group. Psychotherapy is used in the treatment of a wide variety of mental health disorders and other emotional challenges. The goal is to help the person being treated better understand and address difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

There are different types of psychotherapy. The types that are most often recommended in the initial treatment of depression are cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on recognizing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior and learning better ways to address these unhelpful patterns. CBT is adaptable, and the therapist and the person being treated will collaborate to find strategies that work.
• Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) focuses on interactions with other people. For example, identifying and improving conflict or difficulties in relationships and how these affect or influence depression. IPT is time-limited, meaning it has a set number of sessions (typically one session per week for 16 weeks).

Remember, different approaches work for different people. While these approaches are often recommended for the initial treatment of depression, there are other approaches that a healthcare provider may recommend. Different types of psychotherapy may also be recommended at different times.

Finding the right therapist

Therapy is a collaborative effort, and anyone being treated for depression (or any mental health disorder) needs to have a good working relationship with their therapist. Here are some questions to consider when choosing a therapist:

• What types of therapy does this person provide? Does this type of therapy match what I am looking for?
• Does this person have experience treating people with depression similar to my own diagnosis? What is this healthcare provider’s credentials?
• Do they have experience treating people with a background to my own? Background can mean age, ethnicity, and cultural background. These can be important factors in a good working relationship.
• How do you feel about working with this therapist? Do you feel comfortable bringing up concerns or sensitive topics? Can you be open and honest?
• Do you feel confident this therapist and approach to therapy will benefit you?
• What do you hope to get out of this treatment?
• Does this provider accept your health insurance? What will be the out-of-pocket cost?

When you talk to any potential provider, it is important to discuss the goals of therapy, the timeframe for those goals, and how you should think about your progress. If you need help finding a therapist, try asking for a referral from a healthcare provider you have worked with before. Many will be happy to provide recommendations.