Family Therapy Essay

People with depression often experience interpersonal problems. Family therapy for depression is a widely used intervention, but it is unclear whether this is an effective therapy for the treatment of depression.
Objectives:
To assess the efficiency of family therapy for depression of young, middle aged and old people using current standard of practices.
Selection criteria:
Included studies were randomized controlled and controlled clinical trials comparing family therapy with no intervention or an alternative intervention in which depression symptomatology was a main outcome measure.
All randomized controlled trials that included older adults diagnosed as suffering from depression (ICD or DSM criteria) were included. All types of psychotherapeutic treatments were included, categorized into cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy and supportive therapies.
Data collection and analysis:
Methodological quality was independently assessed by using the Maastricht-Amsterdam Criteria List. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the selected trials were independently extracted by using a standardized data extraction form. Levels of evidence were used to determine the strength of the evidence available. It was not possible to perform meta-analyses because of the heterogeneity of the selected studies. Standard operating procedures were adopted for data collection and assimilation. The report is based on the DAP, SOAP and BIRP notes collected while preliminary studies and treatment methodology.
Meta-analysis was performed, using odds ratios for dichotomous outcomes and weighted mean differences (WMD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals. Primary outcomes were a red...

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...ect those of a larger meta-analysis that included patients with broader age ranges, suggesting that CBT may be of potential benefit.
Many patients in primary care suffer from mental health and psychosocial problems. These problems often involve feelings of sadness, nerves or stress. Many of these problems may be due to personal and social problems or reactions to life events such as physical illness or unemployment.
‘Counseling’ is a recognized psychological therapy that is often provided to such patients. Counselors have often been employed to deliver psychological therapy to patients in primary care settings. Providing counseling alongside other treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy means that patients have greater choice, and that alternatives can be found for patients who either do not benefit from standard treatments or who do not find them acceptable.