It’s always cause for celebration when depressed clients nears the finish line of treatment, feeling energized, empowered, and more content with their life. But it’s one thing to get people back on their feet from a depressive episode; it’s another to prevent recurrences down the road.

That’s why, according to neuropsychologist John Preston, author of Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Ridiculously Simple, the best offense for the recovering client is a good defense. More specifically, therapists need to instruct people close to the client to be aware of the first signs that symptoms are reappearing.

In this brief video clip, Preston describes how to alert the spouse of a recovering depressed client to be aware of the signs of recurrence, and how to use their experiences with previous episodes to judge whether depression is returning.

“So many of these recurrences could be prevented if you can nip them in the bud,” Preston explains. “Oftentimes, a loved one sees it coming before the client does.” What’s more, he adds, is that loved ones often know the extent of the problem and can offer much-needed empathy and support. “We can’t underestimate the importance of this,” Preston says.