CBT and other talk therapies are quite good for mild to moderate depression. I would disagree that they are better or equal to medications when it comes to moderate - severe depression.

I agree that the ‘source’ of depression is important. - situational, does it run in families, it is cyclic, etc - but it is quite difficult to confidently pinpoint a source.

I’m a big fan of therapy and strongly recommend it, but severe, chronic depression needs something different than cbt.