Many clients seek out cognitive therapy for treatment of depression and / or anxiety in the hopes of avoiding medication, looking to get off medication, or not be able tolerate the side effects or interactive effects of these drugs with other medications.
If clients have MILD-MODERATE depression and/or anxiety, research indicates that the first approach most clients should consider is a treatment course of cognitive therapy. Generally, this consists of weekly sessions of 12-20 sessions. If improvement does not occur, adding medication to the treatment mix is usually recommended.
For severe anxiety and/or depression, a combination approach of cognitive therapy and medication is usually recommended.
Once depression and anxiety symptoms substantially recede, it is recommended that the individual have a discussion with their prescribing doctor regarding when and how to get off medication.
With cognitive therapy treatment, clients are giving a tool box of strategies to help them not only feel better but get better and stay that way for longer periods of time. The initial weekly sessions are cut back to bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and then if and when needed.
It is not uncommon for clients to come back years later for a brief “tune up” to keep their tools sharp and available to use at any time.
