Depressive disorders are one of the most troubling mental health issues in our society. Possibly the most difficult aspect of the disorder is that there is very little consensus as to its etiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, or treatment. Despite this lack of consensus, it has been our experience in our practice that family involvement or marital / family therapy has brought us good results in the treatment of depression. Individual therapy has proven to be effective in reducing the level of depressive symptomatology. But because depressed individuals are often characterized by problematic interpersonal functioning, marital / family therapy has been somewhat better at achieving symptom relief while at the same time decreasing family tension.
It is my clinical experience that family sessions are more effective after the couple has had an opportunity to do some work to solidify the bond. This entails, to quote Michelle Weiner-Davis, learning skills to "Keep Love Alive", learning Pia Mellody's talking and listening boundary skills, and as Dr. John Gottman would say, learning to make "quick repairs".
