Types of therapy for depression

Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you notice unhelpful thought patterns and practise different responses. Behavioural activation builds a gradual routine of meaningful or manageable activities when low mood has led to withdrawal. Interpersonal therapy looks at grief, conflict, life changes, and relationship patterns that affect mood.

Problem-solving therapy breaks overwhelming difficulties into clear tasks and choices. Some people use another structured talking therapy, counselling, or a combined plan with medicine. Therapy can also address associated fatigue, anxiety, poor concentration, irritability, or sleep changes; these symptoms may have other causes too.

Begin with an assessment of mood, sleep, energy, concentration, safety, medical history, and personal goals. Ask how sessions are delivered, how often they occur, what practice happens between sessions, and how progress will be reviewed.

A good working relationship matters. Tell the therapist if the pace, exercises, language, or format does not suit you. Keep appointments where possible, record changes in mood or daily function, and discuss a different approach if symptoms are not improving or become harder to manage.

Seek urgent help if you may harm yourself, cannot stay safe, feel detached from reality, or have severe agitation with very little need for sleep. Contact a trusted person and local emergency services when immediate safety is at risk. New extreme mood changes also need prompt clinical assessment.

Ask which therapy fits your symptoms and goals, whether a medical condition or medicine could be contributing, how safety will be supported, and what signs should prompt an earlier review. You can also ask about therapy in person, by video, or through a structured self-help programme.