
Description
In this easy to read format of 50 informative statements, Dr. Yapko sums up the science and clinical judgment he has shared with his clients and professional colleagues for over 30 years. The experience of depression is greatly influenced by your perspective. Therefore, making sure your perspective is clear and well informed is an important first step in overcoming depression.
In Keys to Unlocking Depression, internationally recognized clinical psychologist and depression expert, Dr. Michael Yapko, gives you the essential information to manage and overcome depression in an easy to read format. Most of the keys are on 2 pages or less and then he moves on to the next important key to unlock depression. It is intended to help provide a life raft of clarity to those who are treading water in the sea of confusion about depression.
Equipped with the information in Keys to Unlocking Depression, readers will learn how to think about depression in a way that will make overcoming it both easier and more effective. No one overcomes depression by declaring himself or herself a victim, so take the valuable keys that Dr. Yapko provides in this book and unlock your depression.
There are 50 “keys” shared throughout this book provided in a simple to read informative statement are divided into four sections:
Part 1: Building a Foundation of Success
Part 2: Key Personal Skills Necessary to Manage Depression
Part 3: Key People Skills Necessary to Manage Depression
Part 4: Getting Help


In this video, Michael describes the book Keys to Unlocking Depression.
Although this book was written for a general audience clinicians have found it valuable to share with clients.
Reviews of Keys to Unlocking Depression
The Milton H. Erickson Foundation Newsletter
“Keys to Unlocking Depression is not only a good resource for clients, but also a wonderful read… It’s filled with thought-provoking quotes or tidbits of wisdom about life and dealing with depression.”
A Grateful Reader, Amazon Review
“Short, easy to read, yet incredibly useful and practical perspectives about getting over depression. It’s a great book for people who want the essence of what the current clinical and research literature says without getting bogged down in technical jargon or too much detail. Dr. Yapko has written a very helpful book that virtually anyone wanting to better understand and realistically address depression will find beneficial.”
Reid Wilson, Ph.D., Amazon Review
“There’s no medical jargon here. Dr. Yapko gets right to the point. Actually, he gets right to 50 different points. That sounds like a big number, I know. But each point is presented as a chewable bite …”
Shawn, Amazon Review
“This is one of the few books that I know that is helpful even if you just read the titles of the chapters! In “Keys to Unlocking Depression,” Dr. Yapko provides a series of easy to read chapters that highlight skills and information that are essential to recover from and prevent depression… Dr. Yapko combines practical wisdom, stories and anecdotes, and research in an easy to follow guidebook to resilience. A very useful book for anyone!
Lynn Lyons, Amazon Review
“Dr. Yapko has written a book about depression that is brilliantly concrete. Because he understands what the depressed person needs most, he created a format that provides clear and accessible direction to those most at risk of getting lost and discouraged by all of the confusing and overwhelming information about depression. Teens, adults, parents, teachers, therapists, doctors should all have this practical book nearby to read and to share.”
Joseph Dubowski, Amazon Review
“Dr. Yapko has given us a concise guide to understanding and using depressed mood that builds on his extensive knowledge and experience helping people find their way out of the bottomless pit that is depression for many people…it provides us with a welcome addition to the tool-set available for depressed people to work on themselves, and that may reduce their dependence on drug therapy. I highly recommend it.
Lisa C., Amazon Review
“A very useful and succinct handbook which can be read straight through or dipped into. Helpful for people who have a tendency to depression and no idea how to deal with it.” Gloria May, Amazon Review“Short chapters, easy to read, very helpful in understanding depression and how to overcome it.”
Christine Kodama, Amazon Review
“This is a book to keep at hand both for clients and therapists, a gem of a book.”
Amazon Customer, Amazon Review
“A great practical guide to depression. Written, clearly and with hope. I learned a lot a things about my self that I did not associate with depression. A must read.”