[Psychotherapeutic approaches of depression]

All schools of psychotherapy have developed specific therapeutic approaches for depression. Common elements exist but still there are differences as well. In this we will review the following approaches, mostly cited in the depression therapy literature: Psychoanalytic, Behavioral, Cognitive and Interpersonal. Recent studies show that psychotherapy is ef fective in depression, even in the elderly and in hospitalized patients. Psychotherapy results are very good in mild to moderate depression. In combination with pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy shows good results in severe depression. It has an important role in preventing new episodes. Recent functional imaging studies show how psychotherapy can affect biological brain structure and function. However, there are still methodological issues that have to be dealt with in psychotherapy research.