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Following a brief overview of the diagnostic criteria and epidemiology of major depressive disorder (MDD), we describe the current major empirically supported theories of depression and the therapies based on them. We begin the discussion of the assessment by describing diagnostic assessment tools. Next, we discuss using the general theories and therapies of depression described in the first part of the chapter to create a conceptualization and treatment plan for a particular patient. We conclude with a review of assessment tools and strategies for monitoring the process and outcome of therapy, and a brief discussion of some future directions of assessment of depression. We focus this review on MDD, both because space is limited and because the empirical support for the tools we describe is strongest for MDD. However, many other mood disorders (including dysthymic disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and cyclothymic disorder) share features with MDD, and many of the assessment tools described below will be helpful in those cases. For a discussion of assessment issues related specifically to bipolar disorder, the reader may consult Chapter 6 in this volume by Johnson, Miller, and Eisner.