I know a lot of the evidence-based therrapy for depression these days are based on mindfulness. In case you don't know what mindfulness is, Jon Kabat-Zinn defines it as "awareness, cultivated by paying attention in a sustained and particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally." It is basically learning to pay attention to what is happening in the present moment, and accepting whatever that is without judgement or critical thoughts.

I have been studying mindfulness on my own, without being part of any formal therapy, for a while. I have been learning it mainly from books and audio CDs by Jon Kabat-Zinn, but also from two other teachers, Thich Nhat Hanh and Eckart Tolle (who avoids use of the terrm "mindfulness"). I have found these teachings and the practice of mindfulness to be very helpful for relieving depression, although I would not say that it has been a "cure". One problem I find is that it is very hard to practice when you are very depressed, which is of course when you need it most. I think that might be why studies have shown ti to be better as a method to prevent relapse of depression than for getting rid of depression. Still, since you don't need a therapist to learn it, I think it is useful as a kind of free therapy, or at least a very cheap therapy, costing only the price of some paperback books and CDs. I was wondering what experiences others have had with using mindfulness as a type of self-help therapy for depression.