--- title: "PPRNet Clinical summary: Antidepressant Medication or Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Depression?" description: The director of the Psychotherapy Practice Research Network (PPRNet) is Dr. Giorgio Tasca. Dr. Tasca is an Associate Professor with the School of Psychology, in the Faculty of Social, University of Ottawa. His research focus is on psychotherapy process, mechanisms of change, and outcomes, as well as eating disorders. image: https://collabzium.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/medication.png --- [![FAC_SOCIAL_SCIENCE_HEADER_BAR](https://collabzium.com/hubfs/FAC_SOCIAL_SCIENCE_HEADER_BAR.svg "FAC_SOCIAL_SCIENCE_HEADER_BAR")](https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-social-sciences/) [![Collabzium](https://collabzium.com/hubfs/CollabziumLogoEnglish(Name)-COLOUR.svg "Collabzium")](https://collabzium.com/) - Articles - [Collabzium Guide](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/author/collabzium-guide) - [All articles](https://collabzium.com/en/articles) - Research - [Chairs and Labs](https://collabzium.com/en/chair-and-labs) - [About](https://collabzium.com/collabcrew) [Subscribe](https://20500402.hubspotpagebuilder.com/subscribe-now) [Subscribe](https://20500402.hubspotpagebuilder.com/subscribe-now) [PPRNET](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/tag/pprnet) # PPRNet Clinical summary: Antidepressant Medication or Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Depression? [Dr. Giorgio Tasca](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/author/dr-giorgio-tasca) calendar icon Sep 05, 2025 · Reading time 2 min read [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-antidepressant-medication-or-short-term-psychodynamic-psychotherapy-for-depression&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-antidepressant-medication-or-short-term-psychodynamic-psychotherapy-for-depression&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-antidepressant-medication-or-short-term-psychodynamic-psychotherapy-for-depression&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-antidepressant-medication-or-short-term-psychodynamic-psychotherapy-for-depression&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) | Depression is the largest contributor to global [disability](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrk.cp20.com%2Fclick%2Fgs5t-2z13xb-ybu7xs-ld90o241%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstephanie.baker%40uottawa.ca%7Ceec75f305a814f96e2d208ddeae5cc18%7Cd41fdab17e154cfdb5fa7200e54deb6b%7C1%7C0%7C638924994885844563%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=y0MSbpXMFIpo5mOileGNCBNyxFIozaDU6cfJzZFDaVM%3D&reserved=0). And so, researchers have been assessing treatments for depression for many decades. Antidepressant medications and different psychotherapies are the major treatment options for depressive disorders. Treatment [guidelines](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrk.cp20.com%2Fclick%2Fgs5t-2z13xb-ybu7xt-ld90o242%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstephanie.baker%40uottawa.ca%7Ceec75f305a814f96e2d208ddeae5cc18%7Cd41fdab17e154cfdb5fa7200e54deb6b%7C1%7C0%7C638924994885859723%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=r3jhC2wPK%2FzR%2BJvcnSgeCWAA0hUqAdFvcSzTqNwmaXc%3D&reserved=0) recommend combining the two for moderate to severe depression. However, combining treatments requires more resources, many patients prefer monotreatment, and some have concerns about antidepressants’ [side effects](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrk.cp20.com%2Fclick%2Fgs5t-2z13xb-ybu7xu-ld90o243%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstephanie.baker%40uottawa.ca%7Ceec75f305a814f96e2d208ddeae5cc18%7Cd41fdab17e154cfdb5fa7200e54deb6b%7C1%7C0%7C638924994885874925%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rH7Gzyuh1LJOXw5Iq0x8%2Bpi2CqYO9oSq4YVZ33qVY6E%3D&reserved=0). Previous [meta-analyses](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrk.cp20.com%2Fclick%2Fgs5t-2z13xb-ybu7xv-ld90o244%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstephanie.baker%40uottawa.ca%7Ceec75f305a814f96e2d208ddeae5cc18%7Cd41fdab17e154cfdb5fa7200e54deb6b%7C1%7C0%7C638924994885889985%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1dEGMl08%2BcBdBNVuSaK6bEdqVPY3LOg1ULJspIn6ETg%3D&reserved=0) showed that CBT and antidepressant medications are similarly effective, although medications were slightly more effective at post-treatment on observer-rated depressive symptoms. Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy ([STPP](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrk.cp20.com%2Fclick%2Fgs5t-2z13xb-ybu7xw-ld90o245%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstephanie.baker%40uottawa.ca%7Ceec75f305a814f96e2d208ddeae5cc18%7Cd41fdab17e154cfdb5fa7200e54deb6b%7C1%7C0%7C638924994885908695%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fRGL38kNnpyRJCC7B8OO%2BBXpKVHi%2FcbhydEs%2BY985Nk%3D&reserved=0)) is another [empirically supported](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrk.cp20.com%2Fclick%2Fgs5t-2z13xb-ybu7xx-ld90o246%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstephanie.baker%40uottawa.ca%7Ceec75f305a814f96e2d208ddeae5cc18%7Cd41fdab17e154cfdb5fa7200e54deb6b%7C1%7C0%7C638924994885925652%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=GMC6FRHkKGfnAWh8nKQlw9hH%2FDEwhhLG9gGHdQFMjwo%3D&reserved=0) treatment that is often used in clinical practice. However, until now, there has been no patient-level data meta-analysis looking specifically at the effects of STPP vs antidepressant medications. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, Wieneke and colleagues reviewed six trials with 472 participants directly comparing STPP and antidepressant medications (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). The studies used the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), which mostly assessed somatic symptoms of depression, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), which mostly assessed cognitive symptoms of depression. Outcomes were measured at post-treatment and at a longer-term follow-up period. On the HAMD, antidepressants were significantly more efficacious than STPP at post-treatment with a small effect (d= 0.28, 95% confidence interval \[CI\]: 0.03, 0.53, p = .031). Remission rates (no longer meeting criteria for depression) were 33.3% in the antidepressant medication group and 29.7% in the STPP group. No significant differences between treatments were found on the BDI at post-treatment (d= 0.25, 95% CI= −0.02, 0.52, p= .075). There were no differences on any of the measures at the longer-term follow-up. Baseline depression severity moderated posttreatment depressive symptom levels (d=0.24, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.40, p = .004). Antidepressants were slightly more efficacious than STPP for participants with high rather than low baseline depression severity. | | --- | ## Practice Implications  The findings suggest that both STPP and antidepressants are efficacious, although the effects are small, and only about 30% of patients achieved full remission. These findings are like those seen with other therapies like CBT. It is possible that patients with higher baseline depression severity might benefit slightly more from antidepressants. [Previous](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrk.cp20.com%2Fclick%2Fgs5t-2z13xb-ybu7xy-ld90o247%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstephanie.baker%40uottawa.ca%7Ceec75f305a814f96e2d208ddeae5cc18%7Cd41fdab17e154cfdb5fa7200e54deb6b%7C1%7C0%7C638924994885941990%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=94aWNy1%2FdZvLHoq32ej1UiMWJjfnzm5ot9miRLDDg4g%3D&reserved=0) meta-analyses suggested that combining psychotherapy and antidepressants was more effective than antidepressants alone.  > Wienicke, F. J., Dekker, J. J. M., Peen, J., Van, H. L., Barber, J. P., McCarthy, K. S., Solomonov, N., Karlsson, H., Hietala, J., López-Rodríguez, J., Villamil-Salcedo, V., Burk, W. J., Spijker, J., Twisk, J. W. R., Cohen, Z. D., Cuijpers, P., & Driessen, E. (2025). Antidepressant medication or short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for depression? A systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. *Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice.* Advance online publication. [https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cps0000281](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrk.cp20.com%2Fclick%2Fgs5t-2z13xb-ybu7xz-ld90o248%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstephanie.baker%40uottawa.ca%7Ceec75f305a814f96e2d208ddeae5cc18%7Cd41fdab17e154cfdb5fa7200e54deb6b%7C1%7C0%7C638924994885957479%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5oGuh9l1A7lVdCyH8d1nO%2F8yRAj8774mm%2Be%2FArULROA%3D&reserved=0)   calendar icon Sep 05, 2025 · Reading time 2 min read [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-antidepressant-medication-or-short-term-psychodynamic-psychotherapy-for-depression&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-antidepressant-medication-or-short-term-psychodynamic-psychotherapy-for-depression&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-antidepressant-medication-or-short-term-psychodynamic-psychotherapy-for-depression&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email%20&body=Check%20out%20https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-antidepressant-medication-or-short-term-psychodynamic-psychotherapy-for-depression&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) --- ### [By Dr. Giorgio Tasca](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/author/dr-giorgio-tasca) The director of the Psychotherapy Practice Research Network (PPRNet) is Dr. Giorgio Tasca. Dr. Tasca is an Associate Professor with the School of Psychology, in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa. His research is centered around psychotherapy process, mechanisms of change, and outcomes, as well as eating disorders. ## Also Read - [PPRNet Clinical summary: Long-Term Effects of Psychotherapies for Depression](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-long-term-effects-of-psychotherapies-for-depression) - [PPRNet Clinical summary: Self-Compassion as a Protective Factor Against Burnout in Psychologists](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-self-compassion-as-a-protective-factor-against-burnout-in-psychologists) - [PPRNet Clinical summary: The Therapeutic Alliance in Internet-Based Interventions](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-1.-the-therapeutic-alliance-in-internet-based-interventions) - [PPRNet Clinical summary: What Do Individuals With Borderline Personalities Want From Treatment?](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-what-do-individuals-with-borderline-personalities-want-from-treatment) #### RELATED NEWS ![PPRNet Clinical summary: Short-term Psychodynamic Therapy of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder](https://collabzium.com/hs-fs/hubfs/chub_backup/therapy-2.png?width=600&name=therapy-2.png) [PPRNET](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/tag/pprnet) ## [PPRNet Clinical summary: Short-term Psychodynamic Therapy of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder](https://collabzium.com/en/articles/pprnet-clinical-summary-short-term-psychodynamic-therapy-of-obsessive-compulsive-disorder) Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often a chronic mental health problem characterized by... 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