Originally Posted by
JJB 
does just listening to yourself do any good? (isn't that what therapists do, just listen?)
JJB,
Unfortunately, listening to yourself won't work. What therapy teaches you is to break the cycle of destructive thinking, so another person's perspective is needed. And they have to be VERY GOOD at what they do. I guess it might help reading books about depression but a good therapist will get you there faster.
All my 3 therapists could not have come with better recommendations. One was actually very helpful, the other one was OK, the third one drove me nuts (just a personality clash but serious enough that I stopped going).
Personally, I am not looking to be in therapy now. But I hope to use what I've learned to help me thru depression now.
OB