Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy for adolescents (IPT-A) are two of the best-supported talk therapies for teen depression. They are practical, time-focused, and skill-building rather than open-ended, and both have a solid track record with young people. Understanding what they are can help you ask good questions as you look for the right care for your teen.
What it is
Both CBT and IPT-A are structured, evidence-based psychotherapies, but they work from different angles.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is built on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are linked, and that changing unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving can lift mood. In CBT for depression, a teen learns to notice the harsh, distorted, or hopeless thoughts that fuel low mood, to test and reshape them, and to gradually re-engage in activities and habits that support wellbeing. It is usually active and collaborative, often with practice or "homework" between sessions.
Interpersonal therapy for adolescents focuses on relationships and the social transitions of the teen years, working from the observation that depression and what is happening in a young person's relationships tend to influence each other. IPT-A helps a teen understand the connection between their mood and specific relationship difficulties — conflict with parents, changes in friendships, grief, or major life transitions — and build communication and problem-solving skills to navigate them. It is also time-limited and focused.
How it shows up in teens
In practice, both therapies are typically delivered over a defined course of weekly sessions rather than continuing indefinitely. A teen meets with a trained therapist, sets goals, and works on concrete skills, with the aim of leaving treatment better equipped to handle low mood and stress on their own.
With CBT, a teen might keep track of moods and thoughts, learn to catch and challenge a thought like "I always mess everything up," and rebuild a routine that includes activities they have dropped. With IPT-A, the work might center on a specific relationship strain — repairing communication with a parent, coping with a friendship that has changed, or adjusting to a big transition — and on practicing new ways of relating.
Family involvement is common in adolescent therapy, especially with younger teens, and the degree varies with the approach and the situation. A good therapist will tailor the work to your teen, and the two approaches are not mutually exclusive — what matters most is a skilled clinician and a teen who feels reasonably comfortable engaging.
What the evidence says about treatment
CBT and IPT-A are among the most studied and best-supported psychotherapies for depression in adolescents, and both are widely recommended as front-line options. The strongest evidence supports their use for depression specifically, which is why they come up so often in discussions of teen mental health care.
For some teens, especially with more moderate to severe depression, the overall evidence supports combining therapy with medication, a decision that belongs with a prescriber. You can read more in our overviews of major depressive disorder and SSRIs and the black box warning.
No single therapy is right for every young person, and fit between teen and therapist matters as much as the brand of treatment. It is reasonable to ask a prospective therapist what approach they use, whether it is evidence-based for teen depression, and how they involve families.
Where to find help
To find a therapist trained in CBT or IPT-A, you can start with your teen's pediatrician for a referral, ask prospective therapists directly about their training and approach, or use a reputable provider directory. School counselors can also help connect families with care.
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offer trustworthy information about therapy for teen depression, and our Find Help directory can help you locate care by state and level of need.
If your teen is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available any time by call or text at 988, or text HOME to 741741. In an immediate emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Sources
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) — aacap.org
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) — nimh.nih.gov
- American Psychological Association (APA) — apa.org
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 988lifeline.org
- [Pending clinical review — formal citations to be added by the reviewer. See medical review.]