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Brief Psychoanalytic Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder
Sponsor: Istanbul Nisantasi University
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether brief psychoanalytic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) reduce depressive symptoms in adults aged 18 to 65 who have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does brief psychoanalytic therapy reduce depression severity more than a waitlist control condition after 18 weeks? * Does CBT reduce depression severity more than a waitlist control condition after 18 weeks? Researchers will also compare brief psychoanalytic therapy with CBT to explore whether one works better than the other, and will examine whether changes in defense mechanisms and automatic negative thoughts explain improvement in each therapy. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to brief psychoanalytic therapy, CBT, or a waitlist control group (30 participants per group) * In the therapy groups, attend 18 weekly individual therapy sessions of 50 minutes each * In the waitlist group, continue their usual psychiatric care without psychotherapy for 18 weeks, and then be offered one of the therapies * Complete clinical interviews and questionnaires about depression, anxiety, quality of life, thought patterns and coping styles before treatment, at week 9 and at week 18 * In the therapy groups, complete follow-up assessments 6 and 12 months after treatment ends
Official title: Brief Psychoanalytic Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
90
Start Date
2026-11-01
Completion Date
2027-10-15
Last Updated
2026-10-05
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Brief Psychoanalytic Therapy
Manualized brief psychoanalytic therapy based on Luborsky's supportive-expressive model and the unified protocol for short-term psychodynamic therapy of depression. Delivered as 18 weekly individual 50-minute sessions by licensed clinical psychologists trained in psychodynamic therapy. Focuses on a Core Conflictual Relationship Theme, defenses, self-criticism, loss and aggression, and includes a structured termination phase addressing separation and loss.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Manualized cognitive behavioral therapy based on Beck's cognitive therapy for depression. Delivered as 18 weekly individual 50-minute sessions by licensed clinical psychologists trained in CBT. Includes psychoeducation, behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring of automatic thoughts, modification of intermediate and core beliefs, relapse prevention, and structured weekly homework.
Locations (1)
Istanbul Nisantasi Universitesi
Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)