TITLE:
A Practical and Contemporary Model of Depression for Our Times—A Timeless Existential Clinician’s Perspective
AUTHORS:
Sebastian Salicru
KEYWORDS:
Depression, Existential, Humanistic, Experiential Therapies, Psychotherapy Integration, Meaning, Purpose, Authenticity, Freedom, Responsibility
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Depression,
Vol.10 No.2,
May
18,
2021
ABSTRACT: Problem: Depression is spreading rapidly worldwide. It has been forecasted to
become the leading cause of disability worldwide by 2030, despite significant
efforts and investments made to treat it. This menace has been exacerbated by
the current COVID-19 pandemic which has triggered psychological distress and a
surge in experiences of emptiness, sadness, and loss of meaning in life.
Meaninglessness is one of the biggest threats of our times and is associated
with depression and suicide. Gap: Existential psychotherapy has been
neglected by researchers and remains misunderstood by the new generation of
clinicians as an integrative approach to the prevention and treatment of
depression, despite being one of the longest-established forms of
psychotherapy. Objective: To address the above gap, recommendations, and
emerging risks. Methodology: Review of theoretical and empirical
findings, and autoethnography taking a scientist-practitioner stance. Results: A comprehensive, practical, integrated, flexible, and evidence-based model for
the prevention and treatment of depression, and other internalizing disorders. Utility: This model will be of interest to researchers, practitioners, students of
psychology, and the wider public. Conclusion/Recommendations: The model
can be used to promote preventative factors in youth development, develop
protective factors in high-risk populations with vulnerability to depression,
and treat individuals experiencing depression or other internalizing disorders.