Treating Depression with Emotive Therapy

We spoke of biological oriented psychologists and how they view the treatment for depression. Now we will turn to emotive psychologists who believe that the best way to treat depression or any other psychological issues is to let the feelings out. One theory or therapy is called Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) and it can be practiced in mental health facilities, schools, work places, just about anywhere.

Many psychologists will say that serotonin affects mood, and mood affects how we think as well as how we feel. Emotive psychologists would be concerned with how you feel (your mood). They would listen to you talk about your feelings. They want to now why you are depressed. They emphasize catharsis (first introduced by Sigmund Freud).

Catharsis is the emptying out of the soul, the act of "getting it off your chest" in hopes that once you express all this pent-up emotion, you will be better able to cope with depression, or whatever else ails you, and most importantly you will be able to move on.

It is postulated that keeping emotions inside tends to make a person "stuck" or "blocked" from moving on and coping with life. These emotive-based counselors and psychologists encourage the client to voice his/her feelings. They are very empathic and may even cry with you.

If you want a sounding board and totally unconditional support, these are the people for you.

Sources

Rational Emotive Theory

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Rational-Emotive-Consultation-in-Applied-Settings/Michael-Edwin-Bernard/e/9780805805789