Psychot herapy for

Adolescent s wit h
Depression
B RA N CH ES

BY GABRIELLA ZURITA
 Tr eat in g Depr ession w it h
Psych ot h er apy
Depression is a mental health problem that affects every aspect of your life. Lost
hope and motivation brings a decline to your social life, school grades, and other passions.
Daily activities--showering, getting out of bed, eating--all feel like impossible tasks. As a
parent, it is painful to watch your child suffer through depression. Even more so, as a
teenager, dealing with depression is debilitating. However, the rates of depression among
adolescents are higher than you think. In 2017, the National Institute of Mental Health
reported that 3.2 million adolescents from 11-17 have depressive episodes. Thankfully,
new therapeutic and medical advances have provided many with treatments that improve
their life and symptoms. Even though the road to recovery is difficult, you ar e n ot alon e
on you r jou r n ey. Therapists and psychiatrists are here to help you work through your
problems. Your friends and family are here to support you as you take these brave steps
to a better life. And the millions of teenagers who can relate are here to connect with you
so together you can rediscover joy.
Recognizing that you or your child needs help is the first step. You are most likely
now in search of a therapist or want to know more about sessions. Psychotherapy
describes a type of treatment for mental health issues using psychological methods.
Multiple branches can address a variety of causes and triggers to best suit your
circumstances. In this guide, you will find the four most practiced in adolescent
psychotherapy: Cogn it ive Beh avior al Th er apy, Dialect ical Beh avior al Th er apy,
In t er per son al Th er apy, an d Psych odyn am ic Th er apy. Your therapist will most likely
incorporate a blend of branches, but it is comforting to apprehend what you will be
experiencing. The purpose of this guide is to provide a source of psychoeducation; your
therapist will find the best option for you or your child.
 Cogn it ive
Beh avior al
Th er apy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has
become one of the most popular branches due to
its effectiveness. It revolves around the concept that
a client who wants to change their behavior must
first adjust their thought processes. Along with
sessions, therapists will assign outside homework, such as a journal or assignments for specific fears, to
help implement teachings to the real world. The effectiveness of the therapy is directly correlated with the
adherence to said homework. CBT is a great option for adolescents with mild to moderate depression
that will be able to stay consistent with their work. A drawback of CBT is that it does not go in-depth about
a client's history. Therefore, therapists may include aspects of Psychodynamic Therapy to explore the
unconscious effects of the past. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a practical and short-term approach that
will work best if you commit to completing the home assignments.

Dialect ical
Beh avior al
Th er apy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
is an adaption of Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy suited for suicidal clients with
severe depression or borderline personality
disorder. While CBT concentrates on
thought patterns, DBT focuses on stopping the following dangerous behaviors: suicide attempts,
self-harm, noDBT focuses on stopping the following dangerous behaviors: suicide attempts, self-harm,
non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and suicide ideation. Attending a variety of individual, group, and family
sessions frequently help maintain engagement and foster commitment. Sessions focused on family
relations are specially incorporated because studies show that increased family involvement decreases
self-harm in adolescents. Being able to talk with other teenagers struggling with depression is another
essential aspect that develops validation and support. DBT teaches clients how to regulate emotions,
stabilize their distress tolerance, and create a life worth living.
 In t er per son al
Th er apy (IPT)
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) focuses on current
relationships in our lives: parents, siblings, friends,
classmates. In the case of an attachment issue, this
unhealthy obsession often leads to other toxic
relationships, a lack of emotional support, and the
development of mental disorders like depression.
IPT reconstructs relational habits to develop healthier connections with others, which consequently
improves other psychopathologies like depression. In sessions, therapists will teach adolescents how to
improve interpersonal skills, make positive friendships, and manage stressors. Similar to CBT,
Interpersonal Therapy is centered around current complications rather than on the past. It's focused
subject also may fail to address childhood traumas or problems outside of relationships. However, IPT
can considerably improve one's social life and, consequently, their mental health. It is a valuable
opportunity for adolescents suffering through a toxic relationship or struggling to maintain friendships.

Psych odyn am ic
Psych ot h er apy
(PDP)
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PDP)
derives from Sigmund Freud's therapeutic
technique, psychoanalysis. It focuses on how
our unconscious mind affects our conscious
thinking and behavior. Psychologists theorize that our youth and past traumas rule over our unconscious.
Therefore, PDP addresses the impulses, defense mechanisms, and wishes that clients feel they have little
control over. Since this branch assumes that the past affects our present, it is an opposing view of
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy. PDP is better able to treat clients struggling to
process an abusive childhood or a traumatic event. It is also successful in treating melancholy, a type of
depression caused by the loss of a loved one. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy conclusions are at the
mercy of the therapists. PDP requires more abstract ways of analysis, such as the Rorschach Inkblot Test,
that the therapist will then interpret. Therapists go through years of training to be able to pick up on
different habits or details that can explain unconscious complications. Clients must be truthful and open
to avoid interfering with the therapist's analysis.
If you or a loved on e ar e beh avin g or t h in k in g in a w ay t h at
m ak es you believe t h ey w ill at t em pt t o com m it su icide, call
t h e Nat ion al Su icide Pr even t ion Lif elin e

1-800-273-TALK (8255)