How Do I Find a Therapist to Treat Depression?
Here's how to find a therapist to treat depression:
First let's talk about what kind of clinician you'll need. Only a physician (primary care practitioner or psychiatrist) can prescribe antidepressants, if they're needed. But for cases of mild or moderate depression, you may need only talk therapy or antidepressants plus talk therapy. Depending on your specific needs, you'll likely be referred to a psychiatrist, counselor, or other therapist.
For the highest rates of success, you should find someone who's skilled in using one of two specific forms of therapy that work well with depression: cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. To do this:
Ask your doctor for recommendations. Keep in mind, though, that many primary physicians may not know therapists' specific skill sets.
Call your local chapter of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill (AMI), if there is one, or the department of psychiatry of a nearby university, to ask for recommendations.
Before making an appointment with a recommended therapist, verify whether he or she knows how to do cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy -- and whether he or she has treated people with depression using these therapies.
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