Psychological Therapy
Below are links to descriptions of common types of therapy that may help you match your patient with an effective treatment.
Now that you have learned about several types of professional psychological therapies, go on to the next section to learn about behavioral treatments patients can undertake on their own.
It has been well known for many years that brief psychotherapeutic interventions can be as effective as medication for patients with mild to moderately severe depression.
Systematic reviews of decades of studies on cognitive therapies, for example, show evidence that cognitive therapy can help treat depression and prevent relapse as well or better than medication (Gloaguen). Likewise, short-term psychodynamic therapy as been shown effective in targeting specific conditions such as major depressive disorder (Leichsenring). Unfortunately, due to time and financial constraints, fewer and fewer patients are seeking out therapy despite evidence that the long-term effects can be substantial (Imel).
Physicians can have a significant effect on the type and effectiveness of treatments received by patients (Powers). It is wise to remind patients that good therapist/client matches do not always happen on the first try. They may need to meet with several therapists before finding one who they feel a connection with.
