Evidence-based psychotherapies for depression in older adults

We conducted an evidence-based review of psychological treatments for geriatric depression using coding criteria, and we identified six treatments to be beneficial: behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive bibiiotherapy, problem-solving therapy, brief psychodynamic therapy, and reminiscence therapy. Other interventions were found to be promising but were lacking replication. These findings suggest that (a) there are several treatment choices for consumers and practitioners across a relatively broad range of theoretical orientations and modalities, (b) there needs to be a recognition of the viability of psychological treatments for depressed elders by other disciplines, and (c) there is an opportunity to provide training in evidence-based treatments for present and future providers to the growing number of older adults.