Practical steps for facing and resolving difficult situations.

Social and emotional skills training is an essential part of the therapeutic process for people with depression. These skills improve interpersonal relationships, enable emotions to be expressed appropriately, and help people face difficult situations with greater confidence.

Developing assertiveness is one of the main objectives. People learn to express their thoughts, emotions, and needs clearly and respectfully, without attacking or submitting to the wishes of others. Being assertive helps establish boundaries, defend one's rights, and avoid feelings of frustration or resentment.

Emotional expression is also worked on, as many people with depression have difficulty identifying or communicating what they feel. The starting point is recognizing basic emotions such as sadness, fear, joy, or anger, and then exploring appropriate ways to express them.

This ability helps to relieve emotional burden and improves interpersonal communication. Another important focus is dealing with criticism. People with depression are often very sensitive to negative comments, which can affect their self-esteem and reinforce negative ideas about themselves. Techniques are therefore taught to respond to destructive criticism in a calm and balanced manner, without becoming aggressive or passive.

These skills are developed progressively through practical exercises, role-play, and constant feedback. Topics such as how to give and receive compliments, respond to manipulative or destructive criticism, or how to have a difficult conversation without becoming emotionally upset are addressed.

In the therapeutic context, this training is tailored to the personal characteristics of each patient and the stage of treatment they are at. It does not begin in the acute phases of depression, but rather when the person has achieved a certain emotional stability and can commit to the proposed activities.

The ultimate goal is for the person to strengthen their self-confidence, relate more healthily to others, and better manage everyday social situations. This improvement not only contributes to a more solid recovery but also acts as a protective factor against possible relapses.