Optimum number of sessions for depression and anxiety.

Aim: To examine the relationship between the number of psychological treatment sessions completed by patients (1-5 sessions, 6-8 sessions, >8 sessions) and the change in self-rated depressive and anxiety symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Method: Recording demographic characteristics and various clinical outcome measures for all referrals to the service and examining the relationship between changes in self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms.

Results: For depression, the study shows that having 6-8 sessions offers more benefit than 1-5 sessions.