Depression can affect children just as it does adults, but with professional care and support from parents and caregivers, they can feel better again. Childhood depression treatment focuses on helping kids build healthy coping skills and reducing symptoms.
Every child’s experience with depression is different, so treatment is designed to fit their unique needs. Mental health professionals may use a combination of therapy, medication, and other forms of support to help your child heal.
Use this guide to learn about common treatment options, what to expect during recovery, and some treatment centers.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a process in which a trained mental health professional meets with your child to help them understand and manage their feelings, behaviors, and relationships with others. It’s also called “talk therapy,” but for children it can involve games, drawing, or activities — whatever helps them express their emotions.
Even if medication helps reduce symptoms like sadness, anxiety, or irritability, psychotherapy can help tackle the root problems behind those symptoms. These include self-defeating thoughts and social difficulties [*].
Research shows that children and teens who receive psychotherapy are more likely to improve than those who do not. About 39% got better with therapy compared to 24% without it [*].
Psychotherapy for childhood depression can include:
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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This helps children (as young as 8 years) identify negative thought patterns and replace them with more balanced, helpful thoughts. For example, a child who thinks “I always fail” can learn to challenge that thought and notice times they’ve succeeded. They learn the CBT triangle, which shows how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. Therapists adapt the approach to the child’s age and life situation [*][*].
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Family-Based Interpersonal Psychotherapy (FB-IPT): Another evidence-based therapy, FB-IPT helps children strengthen relationships and increase the support they receive from family and close friends. It is adjusted to fit children ages 8–12 by involving parents more actively through sessions where they practice talking through problems and solving conflicts together. It also guides parents in setting realistic expectations for their child [*].
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Play Therapy: Therapists use play as a tool to understand a child’s experiences and emotions. Through play, they’ll be able to process difficult feelings in a safe and structured way. A child can choose from a variety of toys and materials, such as sand, clay, dolls, or puzzles, to express themselves. The therapist observes and encourages the child to explore and try out different activities [*].
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): This therapy gives children tools to feel more in control of their emotions. DBT‑C (Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children) is a version of DBT for kids ages 7–12. It teaches important skills from standard DBT in ways that are easy to understand. Furthermore, it emphasizes teaching parents to support their child’s emotional growth [*].
Medication
Medication can be an important part of treatment for children with depression. It is usually prescribed when symptoms are more severe, when a child hasn’t improved enough with therapy alone, or when depression is making it difficult for them to function.
It’s also important to note that some kids who develop depression already have another mental health condition, such as anxiety or a learning disorder [*]. Because of this connection, mental health professionals look at the whole picture when treating the child.
Common medications for childhood depression include:
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed type of antidepressant for children and teens. They help the brain use serotonin more effectively, which can improve the child’s mood. Compared with other antidepressants, SSRIs generally have fewer and less serious side effects, so they’re considered safer for kids.
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Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): They affect both serotonin and norepinephrine, another brain chemical involved in mood and energy. They may be prescribed if SSRIs aren’t effective in reducing symptoms or if the child experiences unwanted side effects from SSRIs.
| Medication Type
|
How It Works |
Examples |
Important Notes |
| SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) |
Increases the availability of serotonin in the brain to help improve the child’s mood |
Fluoxetine (Prozac), Escitalopram (Lexapro) |
Approved for use in children and teens
Generally considered safe with fewer side effects
Close monitoring by a doctor is needed
|
| SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) |
Balances serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, supports better mood and motivation |
Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta) |
Usually prescribed if SSRIs aren’t effective or cause side effects
Can have more side effects and need careful monitoring
|
Other Interventions
Along with therapy and medication, additional support strategies can help children overcome depression. Perhaps most importantly, these strategies teach coping skills that children can carry with them into adulthood.
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Healthy habits and daily routines: Regular sleep, balanced meals, and physical activity can help children feel more stable. Consistent routines also create a sense of safety and predictability, which helps kids regulate their emotions.
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Social support: Family, friends, teachers, and mentors are important sources of social support for children. They reduce feelings of isolation and offer a safe space to share feelings.
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Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment in a non-judgmental way. Focusing on breathing is a good starting point. Relaxation exercises may include guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, stretching, or listening to calming music.
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School-based interventions: Schools can offer one-on-one counseling with a school psychologist or counselor. Accommodations, such as extended test time or reduced homework, can help children when depression affects their focus or energy. Teachers and counselors can also monitor changes in the child’s mood or behavior.
Treatment Duration
The length of treatment for childhood depression may vary depending on the severity of symptoms, the child’s history, and other individual factors. Many children start to feel noticeably better within a few weeks to a few months of consistent therapy and/or medication.
However, treatment usually continues even after experiencing improvements to help prevent relapse.
Depression treatment in children can be described in two main phases. The acute phase, which typically lasts about 8–12 weeks, focuses on reducing symptoms. Once the child’s symptoms have improved, the maintenance phase begins, which may last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years or longer, depending on the child’s needs [*].
Some children respond quickly to therapy or medication, while others require extended care. Health professionals will regularly check in with families to determine when it is appropriate to taper or adjust treatment.
Depression Treatment Centers
If a child’s depression continues despite standard treatment, specialized treatment centers can provide additional help. Here are some examples:
