Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are two “talk therapies” that have been proven effective in treating depression. These treatments are based on the idea that how we feel is related to: (1) the thoughts that run through our mind and (2) our behaviors, or how we spend our time. People who are depressed are more likely to have thoughts that are extreme or unhelpful. They also stop doing things they care about or that make them feel good about their lives.
Both CBT and ACT teach proven skills for thinking and acting that are key to beating depression, though each treatment is somewhat different in its focus. For example, in CBT, clients learn how to change extreme or unhelpful thoughts that contribute to depression. In ACT, clients learn to change how they relate to their thoughts so that the thoughts donʼt have the power they once did.
