Exercise in treating depression: broadening the psychotherapist's role

Research findings over the past two decades strongly indicate that moderate exercise can have a beneficial effect upon depression, yet suggestions to depressed patients that they exercise rarely are followed. Despite the research, few psychotherapists employ exercise promotion and maintenance as part of their treatment. An approach to integrating exercise promotion into psychotherapy treatment is presented. It incorporates a therapist-patient collaborative process involving joint assessment of biopsychosocial barriers and facilitators for exercise initiation and maintenance that are unique to the patient. Based upon the assessment, a collaborative exercise plan is developed and implemented.