Little empirical study has been done on the efficacy of the variety of psychological approaches used to treat depression. The author reviews theoretical points of view: psychoanalytic, cognitive and behavioral, and constructs an experimental design to compare the relative effectiveness of cognitive therapy, assertiveness training and insight orientation. Thirty-three moderately depressed women subjects were pretested and completed six sessions according to the plan. Followup interviews indicated women in the assertive and cognitive groups felt better in mood, ability to cope, and relationships with others. Post treatment inventories showed no differential effect of the treatments. (SBP)