The amount of time that the depressed person spends in psychotherapy can vary greatly. More severe problems may take a year or more of therapy to resolve. The decision to stop therapy is always up to the patient. If you believe that you have benefited as much as you like you can talk to the therapist and proceed with plans to terminate therapy. Many types of healthcare professionals specialize in mental health.
Psychiatrists are physicians, and in general they are the only ones that can prescribe medication.
The organizations listed at the end of this article can help you locate a qualified mental health practitioner in your area. Antidepressant Medications Antidepressant medications are the cornerstone of treatment of major depression and often are utilized in the treatment of less severe forms of depression. Several different classes of antidepressants are available. They work by raising the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, by slowing the rate of reabsorption by nerve cells. It may take a few weeks to see a reduction or disappearance of symptoms of depression once these drugs are started.