Childhood depression: a place for psychotherapy. An outcome study comparing individual psychodynamic psychotherapy and family therapy.

Background: Although considered clinically effective, there is little systematic research confirming the use of Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy or Family Therapy as treatments for depression in children and young adolescents.

Aims: A clinical trial assessed the effectiveness of these two forms of psychotherapy in treating moderate and severe depression in this age group.

Methods: A randomised control trial was conducted with 72 patients aged 9-15 years allocated to one of two treatment groups.