Counseling versus antidepressant therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate depression in primary care: economic analysis.

Objective: To compare the cost-effectiveness of generic psychological therapy (counseling) with routinely prescribed antidepressant drugs in a naturalistic general practice setting for a follow-up period of 12 months.

Methods: Economic analysis alongside a randomized clinical trial with patient preference arm. Comparison of depression-related health service costs at 12 months.