An editorial notes that in patients presenting with mild to moderate depressive symptoms, GPs have many evidence based interventions to choose from, but they should be reminded that therapeutic benefit is derived from their own contact with the patient, especially if they convey a sense of hope and optimism and establish a positive relationship. It adds that choice of a wide variety of options for treatment is also crucial –and if patients make a positive choice in its favour, then guided self-help is likely to remain a useful intervention.