Depression

Specialized Depressive Disorders Clinic

Proven, short-term, cost-effective treatment for depression.

• Depression is common.  Approximately 20 million people of all ages in the United States suffer from depression each year.  About 20% of women and 10% of men will experience a depressive event in their lives.
• According to the World Health Organization, globally nearly 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression.
• 1 in 4 young adults will suffer an episode of depression before age 24.
• Depression affects people regardless of age, socioeconomic status or geographic location.
• Depression and physical health are interrelated.  For example, cardiovascular disease can lead to symptoms of depression, and vice versa.
• People with depression are more susceptible to illnesses like the flu than people without depression.
• Depression is often comorbid with symptoms of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety.

At the KPC, we provide treatment for depression

Treatments for depression are effective.  Extensive research supports the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a treatment for depressive disorders. Another effective treatment of depression is the Cognitive-Behavioral Systems of Psychotherapy (CBASP), a treatment that was specifically designed to alleviate entrenched interpersonal problems of chronic mood disorders, such as depression.  Together with 12 other universities, we conducted two of the largest treatment outcome studies in the field to evaluate the efficacy of the CBASP for the treatment of chronic and debilitating forms of depression.  We found that about 50% of the participants improved with CBASP after only 12 weeks of treatment.  Additionally, when CBASP was combined with psychotropic medication, about 80% of the participants responded to treatment with gains that were maintained over 1 ½ years.

In general, treatment is short-term and very active.  Longer treatments are provided contingent on the needs of each client.  Interventions are based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) models of depression, including “elements” of third wave models such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness (emphasis on the “here and now,” targeting cognitive-behavioral changes, promoting more effective behavior, increasing emotion management and regulation and increasing self-efficacy). 

Chronic Depression accompanied by significant interpersonal problems is primarily treated with Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy(CBASP).