"It takes time to see the whole picture": patients' views on improvement in cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy after three years.

Introduction: There is a lack of qualitative research that retrospectively explores how patients with major depressive disorder view their improvement in psychotherapy.

Methods: Fifteen patients who received short-term cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy were individually interviewed approximately three years after completing therapy.

Results: Some patients had altered their views on therapy, especially those who initially were uncertain of how helpful therapy had been.