Toward a clinical model of psychotherapy for depression, I: Systematic comparison of three psychotherapies

Abstract

In a two-part series, the author explores the current status of psychotherapy for depression. In part I, three predominant approaches to the psychological treatment of depressive disorders today--psychodynamic, cognitive, and interpersonal--are described and contrasted schematically. They are depicted as conceptually different but potentially complementary with regard to 1) basic characteristics, including theoretical orientation, major strategies, goals, and mechanisms of change, and 2) respective advantages and limitations. This clinical comparison forms the foundation of an integrative and selective model for the treatment of depression.