T wo recent major randomized clinical trials of adolescent depression treatment, the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (1) and the Treatment of SSRI-Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA) Randomized Controlled Trial (2), have found enhanced efficacy and safety from combining cognitive-behavioral therapy with antidepressant therapy. This column presents data on the percentage of children with Medicaid or private insurance taking antidepressants with and without psychotherapy. Low rates of psychotherapy receipt may signal opportunities for improving the quality of depression treatment for adolescents
