What to Know About Psychotherapy for Depression

Depression shouldn’t be battled alone. If you are considering psychotherapy for depression, our team can help.

When you’re struggling with depression, it can feel like you’re carrying a heavy, invisible weight.

This burden can drain your energy, quiet your joy, and make even simple tasks feel monumental. While the weight of depression is heavy, psychotherapy (or talk therapy) is a powerful and effective tool for learning how to lift it.

Psychotherapy for depression is an active and collaborative process where you learn how to set that weight down. It’s about developing practical skills to challenge the thoughts and behaviors that give depression its power. At Resilient Psychotherapy & Psychiatric Services, we believe in empowering you with these tools. Feeling confident in your treatment path is key. Learning about the different evidence-based therapies for depression can help you take that first step.

How Does Psychotherapy for Depression Work?

Psychotherapy is a confidential partnership between you and a trained mental health professional, like a psychologist. In a safe and non-judgmental space, you work together to address the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to your depression. Unlike talking to a friend, therapy is a professional relationship focused entirely on your well-being, using scientifically validated techniques to help you heal.

The primary goals of psychotherapy for depression are to:
Change the negative thought patterns and behaviors that fuel depression.
Explore and resolve relationships and life events that may be contributing to your condition.
Build practical coping skills for managing stress and difficult emotions.
Regain a sense of control, pleasure, and meaning in your life.

Psychotherapy is an extremely effective treatment for depression, with benefits that are often long-lasting. It empowers you with skills that you can use for the rest of your life.

Evidence-Based Types of Psychotherapy for Depression

There is no single “best” type of therapy; the right approach depends on your unique symptoms, personality, and goals. Here are some of the most effective and well-researched types of psychotherapy for depression.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is a practical, goal-oriented therapy focused on the powerful connection between your thoughts, feelings, and actions. In CBT, your psychotherapist or psychologist helps you identify the automatic negative thoughts that fuel your depression, such as “I’m a failure,” and learn to challenge them with more balanced perspectives. On the behavioral side, therapy helps you gradually re-engage with positive and rewarding activities to counteract the withdrawal and lethargy that depression causes.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

IPT focuses on the powerful connection between your mood and your relationships. It helps you identify and resolve a primary interpersonal problem that may be contributing to your depression. These areas often involve grief after a loss, conflicts with significant people in your life, difficult life transitions, or challenges in forming and maintaining healthy relationships. By working to resolve these specific relational issues, your depressive symptoms can be alleviated.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is an exploratory approach that helps you uncover how past experiences, especially from childhood, may be shaping your present-day depression. In these sessions, your psychotherapist or psychologist helps you explore unresolved issues and emotions that may be outside of your conscious awareness. By making connections between your past and present, you can gain a deeper self-awareness, understand the “why” behind your depression, and break free from old, unhelpful patterns.

The Resilient Psychotherapy Approach

At Resilient Psychotherapy & Psychiatric Services, we believe that the foundation of effective psychotherapy for depression is a strong, trusting relationship. Our Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Christina Whelan, is a highly trained expert in providing evidence-based psychotherapy for adults struggling with depression.

With Dr. Whelan, you will find a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can feel genuinely heard and understood. Her approach is not one-size-fits-all; she draws from her deep knowledge of evidence-based strategies to create a personalized treatment plan that is tailored to your unique history, symptoms, and goals.

When you’re ready to start your journey, we invite you to contact us to schedule a confidential appointment with Dr. Whelan. You can fill out the form below or reach out to us with any questions. If you do not hear from us within 36 hours of submitting your form, please assume an error has occurred and email us at admin@resilienttherapyokc.com.