There is now a large body of controlled trial research into the efficacy of psychological treatments in unipolar affective disorder, indicating their place in acute treatment and in prevention of relapse and recurrence. In bipolar disorder the evidence is still less strong, but studies are rapidly accumulating. Psychological treatments have been almost always combined with medication. The psychological approaches have included psychoeducation, cognitive therapy (CBT), interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), family therapy. Some approaches have used mixtures of elements, particularly psychoeducation with family or cognitive therapy. Benefits found have included symptom improvement, improvement in social function, relapse prevention and improved adherence to drug regimes. However findings have not been entirely consistent, so that definitive recommendations are still premature. Effects may be weaker than in unipolar disorder. In contrast to unipolar disorder, where the strongest body of empirical evidence favours cognitive therapy for symptom remission and relapse prevention, in bipolar disorder psychoeducationally-based approaches may emerge to be of greater benefit.