Cognitive Therapy for Depression

Cognitive therapy is one of the few theories that have been extensively scientifically tested and found to be highly effective in over 300 clinical trials. It focuses on the immediate or automatic thoughts the client has and how these thoughts affect their feelings and behaviors. The goal of cognitive therapy is to identify these thoughts that are poorly affecting the client. Then teach the client how to identify these automatic thoughts and how they can effectively change them. Through the very structured sessions of cognitive therapy, a client should essentially learn the tools to be their own cognitive therapist for future problems they may encounter. The therapy session will not make them an expert but they will be better prepared to

Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be as successful as medicine in treating many types of depression and other mental health disorders it can be completed in a relatively short time compared with other talking therapies and because it is highly structured, CBT can be provided in a number of different formats such as through computer programs, groups and self-help books. Some research suggests that CBT may be better than antidepressants at preventing the return of depression. It is thought to be one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression.

Cognitive behavioural therapy has been proven to be effective in the treatment of child and adolescent depression (Lewinsohn & Clarke, 1999; Harrington et al, 1998, March et al, 2004). There is general agreement in the clinical literature that the techniques of cognitive behavioural approaches to therapy are likely to be effective in treating depression (Brewin, 1996; Beech, 2000).

Hollon, S. D., PhD. (1990). Cognitive therapy for depression. Psychiatric Annals, 20(5), 249-251,255-256,258. Retrieved from https://ez.salem.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/894194358?accountid=13657

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy that explores thoughts and behaviors of patients in order to better manage the illness and the symptoms that come along with it. This treatment is useful for schizophrenics that have psychosis because through therapy they can learn to distinguish fantasy and reality. They can learn to cope with their symptoms, improve life management, and deal with their distress. Beck and Albert Ellis first came out with the idea of cognitive therapy in the 1970s. They thought that psychoeducation and therapy could improve a patient 's psychological state dealing with emotions and behavior.

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is a combination of two effective therapies: cognitive and behavioral. Cognitive therapy applies to the thinking process and belief system while behavioral therapy applies to people's actions. The structure of CBT formed in the 1960s and is used in both individual and group therapy settings. It was developed and refined by several prominent doctors, has received ample criticism from the mental health community and has stood the test of time and cynicism.

Cognitive behavioural therapy is a combination of behavioural strategies and cognitive therapy (Zayfert, 2006). Aaron T. Beck was the founder of cognitive behavioural therapy in 1963, initially his work focused on depression. The basic principles of cognitive behavioural therapy are people’s thoughts, emotions and behaviours and all work together in a unified system (Curwen.B, 2000). B. Curwen states:

Someone who is having negative feelings about himself and his life is said to be depressed. Major depression disorder occurs when at least five of these signs last for two weeks or more: Lethargy, feeling of worthlessness, loss of interest in family, friends and activities. With depression regression towards the mean tends to happen. This means that people always return to their previous behavior patterns or to a “new” normal with or without therapy. The use of cognitive therapy would help anyone with symptoms of depression because cognitive therapy changes the way you think. The therapy is based on the assumption that thoughts intervene between events and our emotional reactions, therefore it will attempt to change the negative thoughts that

Research has proven that Cognitive therapy works just as good as the medications given the right experience.

Cognitive behavior therapy will aid you in refocusing your thinking thereby generating more positive feelings. What you think affects your mood. The more negative thoughts you have the worse your depression will become.

The theory of Cognitive Therapy was Beck’s initial therapy approach to depression. This paper will provide an overview of Cognitive Therapy and treatment modalities for depression, as well as the writer’s personal view on counseling and cognitive therapy. Additionally, the paper will examine depression as a presenting problem and the use (application) of Cognitive Therapy theory to treating a person with depression.

Terms discussed in paper: CBT: Cognitive-behavioural therapy; HEP: Health enhancement program; TAU: Treatment as usual; TRD: Treatment-resistant depression; Mediators: Measurable changes during a treatment; MBCT: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy;

This essay is intended to evaluate one therapeutic intervention or theory that may be used in Family therapy. The theory being examined is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or for short CBT. The essay will begin with defining CBT and discussing the underlying principles, techniques and concepts of the approach. Some practical examples and scenarios of utilizing CBT will then be explored. Then the essay will proceed to a discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of this therapeutic intervention. Finally a conclusion regarding employing such techniques will be made.

Per the study material cognitive therapy seems to focus on changing the patient’s thinking pattern. The clinicians propose for this treatment to occur in smaller and more manageable increments. Cognitive therapy is one of the talk therapies which is quite successful in treating depression. Through research we found out that cognitive therapy is very helpful to some individuals. Cognitive refers to thinking and a lot of patients show distortion in their thinking, as it is explained by Judith Beck, Phd in a short video about cognitive therapy. The evaluation of the patient’s thinking is crucial, that evaluation must be made by the patient. Almost as if leading them on the path to recognizing that maybe their thinking is somewhat flowed and destructive.

Depression is one of the common and severe major depressive disorder that affects the way of feeling, thinking and behaving. Depression can lead to a range of emotional and physical difficulties which may result in a person’s capability to function at work and home because of the feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. However, between 80 percent and 90 percent of people gain some relief from their depression symptoms after treatment. Therefore, depression is among the most treatable mental disorders. The development and maintenance of depression can be explained by the critical cognitive theories from Beck’s cognitive model of depression (1976). Furthermore, one of the most effective methods for treating depression has been created by this model. The central constructs within Beck’s model (1976) are schemas, negative, dysfunctional attitudes, cognitive distortions, the cognitive triad, and