Cognitive behavioral therapy isn't yak therapy. I believe in whatever works for you. But don't discount CBT.
I feel that depression is a result of believing our own false thoughts. CBT helps free us from the power of those thoughts. We may still have the thoughts (for awhile) but we don't believe them anymore.
There are a number of versions, but they all work the same way. This stuff has clinical research backing it up. It works.
See
http://psycharts.com/Cognitive_Theory.htm
This isn't yakking. Here is some clinical studies from the above page. The bottom line is that CBT is more effective than medication. Medication can be used with CBT. And CBT is short term, it isn't years of therapy. There is a structured approach that requires 2 - 4 months.
1. Evans, M. D., Hollon, S. D., DeRubeis, R. J., Piasecki, J. M., Grove,W. M., Garvey, M. J., & Tuason, V. B. Differential relapse following cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy for depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1992, 49, 802–808
2. Fava, G., Grandi, S., Zielezny, M., Rafanelli, C., & Canestrari, R.Four-year outcome for cognitive behavioral treatment of residual symptomsin major depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1996. 153, 945–947
3. Paykel, E. S., Scott, J., Teasdale, J. D., Johnson, A. L., Garland, A., Moore,R., et al. (). Prevention of relapse in residual depression by cognitive therapy: A controlled trial. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1999, 56 ,829–835.
4. Beck, A. T., Epstein, N., & Harrison, R. Cognitions, attitudes and personality dimensions in depression. British Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 1983, 1, 1–16.
5. J. D. Teasdale, R. G. Moore and H. Hayhurst, M. Pope. S, & Williams, Z. Segal. Metacognitive Awareness and Prevention of Relapse in Depression: Empirical Evidence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 2002, . 70, 2, 275–287
6.John D. Teasdale Zindel V. Segal J. Mark G. Williams Valerie A. Ridgeway Judith M. Soulsby Mark A. Lau. Prevention of Relapse/Recurrence in Major Depression by Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy - - Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000 68, 615-623