Using Psychotherapy to Treat Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States, affecting more than 20 million people every year. But if you’re one of the millions experiencing depression, it’s easy to feel like you’re all alone in your struggles.

That’s partly because depression symptoms are so pervasive, making it impossible to feel happy, balanced, and “functional.” Most people with depression have negative thoughts, including feelings of failure and guilt, that influence their moods, decisions, and social and family interactions.

But there is some good news. In recent years, researchers and treatment providers have benefited from a deeper understanding of depression’s causes and symptoms, as well as better therapies based on the new data. At The Marcann Group, our team helps people with depression reshape their thoughts and learn new coping strategies through psychotherapy sessions.

The many aspects of depression

Depression is pervasive, affecting almost every aspect of your life. In fact, many people with depression are so used to their negative thought patterns, it can be difficult to identify them — which means it’s almost impossible to overcome those thought patterns without medical help.

Depression causes a host of physical symptoms, like fatigue, changes in appetite, and aches and pains. But its main symptoms target your emotional well-being. Some of the most common depression symptoms include:

• Feelings of sadness
• Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
• Feelings of guilt
• Feelings of worthlessness or self-loathing
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Difficulty concentrating
• Disinterest in work or school activities
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Depression goes hand-in-hand with low self-worth, and many people with depression may feel they don’t “deserve” to feel happy or positive because they’re “bad.” Psychotherapy is tailor-made to battle these false beliefs.

Psychotherapy basics

Sometimes called “talk therapy” or just “therapy,” psychotherapy involves an array of techniques to help people develop coping mechanisms and work through negative thought and behavior patterns that typically accompany depression. 

Therapists use psychotherapy in different settings, depending on the patient’s needs and goals. In addition to in-person and telehealth individual sessions, we may recommend group counseling, family counseling, or couples counseling, as well.

While regular interaction is a big part of psychotherapy, your provider will probably use other techniques, too. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that works toward targeted goals. Some therapies use “homework” assignments in addition to in-person (or telehealth) sessions.

Psychotherapy for depression

By focusing on underlying negative thinking and “toxic” belief patterns, psychotherapy helps people manage depression by:

• Recognizing negative behaviors, thoughts, and emotions 
• Identifying situations that could be causing or exacerbating depression symptoms
• Learning ways to improve or cope with those situations
• Developing a new skill set of problem-solving, mood management, and coping
• Overcoming feelings of guilt and self-loathing while embracing happiness and positivity

As a regular part of depression treatment, psychotherapy evolves over time to meet each patient’s changing needs. 

Psychotherapy can be used alone or in combination with medication, which means patients can have truly targeted therapy tailored to their symptoms, biology, and other individual factors. Through psychotherapy, you can truly begin to learn how to feel “OK” and shed feelings of guilt and worthlessness that can prevent you from managing your depression.

Treatment that works for you

No one experiences depression in the same way, and often, a treatment that works for one person won’t work as well with someone else. At The Marcann Group, our team understands these critical differences, which is why we work closely with every patient to find a solution that works for them.

To learn more about psychotherapy and other depression treatment options, book an appointment online or over the phone with a provider at our Glendale or Phoenix, Arizona, offices today.