Allies in Therapy: Depression fix feeds off patient-therapist bond
By Bruce Bower
In an era of intense competition for health-care dollars, psychotherapists often characterize their techniques as scientifically grounded and capable of alleviating specific mental ailments. These professionals increasingly consult manuals that describe specific procedures for treating depression and other conditions.
However, much of psychotherapy’s power in quelling chronic depression comes from a less-formal aspect of therapy, according to a new study. A 3-month course of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy proves most beneficial if the therapist and patient establish an emotional bond early on and work toward common goals, say psychologist Daniel N. Klein of the State University of New York at Stony Brook and his colleagues.