According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, brief psychotherapy sessions may be able to reduce depression in mothers of children with mood and anxiety disorders, leading also to improvements in the children.

The study was conducted by Holly Swartz, M.D., professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues. Mothers attended a handful of psychotherapy session over three month periods. The researchers found that a brief version of interpersonal psychotherapy or brief supportive psychotherapy led to reduced ratings for depression that were maintained throughout the year. Improvements in children occurred as well, but those improvements generally occurred three to six months later than the mothers, with the interpersonal psychotherapy leading to significantly fewer outpatient visits and less use of antidepressant medication.

For a more thorough report of the study, see the Psychiatric News Alert article “Brief Psychotherapy for Mothers May Benefit Children.” To see the study, CLICK HERE. For related information See also the Psychiatric News article “Family-Based Intervention May Help Prevent Anxiety Disorders in Children” and the Psychiatric Services study “PRogram In Support of Moms (PRISM): Development and Beta Testing.”

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