Inclusion Criteria:  Inclusion criteria will be liberal and similar to clinical practice criteria at the treatment site: Persistent depressive disorder as defined by the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM5); which includes an International classification of disorders-10 (ICD-10) diagnosis of depression, dysthymia, recurrent depression. unsuccessful previous treatments. living within driving distance from the treatment facilities.  Exclusion Criteria:  current suicidal risk, current psychosis, marked emotional instability (i.e. issues with impulsivity), strong paranoid traits, current problems related to heavy substance abuse.