Talk therapy can be an important part of treating depression or bipolar disorder. A good therapist can help patients cope with feelings and symptoms and change behaviors that contribute to their illness. Therapy may involve homework like mood tracking or writing about thoughts. Most therapy today focuses on current thoughts, feelings, and life issues rather than the past. Therapy frequency may decrease as patients learn to manage problems and avoid triggers. Talk therapy can help patients understand their illness, set wellness goals, overcome fears and stresses, and separate their true self from their illness.