Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a
brief form of psychotherapy used in the
treatment of adults and children with depression.
Its focus is on current issues and symptoms
versus more traditional forms of therapy
which tend to focus on a person's past history.
The usual format is weekly therapy sessions
coupled with daily practice exercises designed
to help the patient apply CBT skills in
their home environment.
CBT for depression involves several essential features: identifying
and correcting inaccurate thoughts associated with depressed
feelings (cognitive restructuring), helping patients to engage
more often in enjoyable activities (behavioral activation),
and enhancing problem-solving skills. The first of these components,
cognitive restructuring, involves collaboration between the
patient and the therapist to identify and modify habitual
errors in thinking that are associated with depression. Depressed
patients often experience distorted thoughts about themselves
(e.g. I am stupid), their environment (e.g. My life is terrible)
and their future (e.g. There is no sense in going forward,
nothing will work out for me). Information from the patient's
current experience, past history, and future prospects is
used to counter these distorted thoughts. In addition to self-critical
thoughts, patients with depression typically cut back on activities
that have the potential to be enjoyable to them, because they
anticipate that such activities will not be worth their effort.
Unfortunately this usually results in a vicious cycle, wherein
depressed mood leads to less activity, which in turn results
in further depressed mood, etc.
The second component of CBT, behavioral
activation, seeks to remedy this downward
spiral by negotiating gradual increases
in potentially rewarding activities with
the patient. When patients are depressed,
problems in daily living often seem insurmountable.
In the final process, the CBT therapist
provides instruction and guidance in specific
strategies for solving problems (e.g. breaking
problems down into small steps).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a scientifically
well-established and effective treatment
for depression. Over 75% of patients show
significant improvements. The Depression
Center offers both group and individual
CBT with experienced and well-trained clinicians.
Patients have the option to use the treatment
alone (especially in mild to moderate cases)
or in combination with medication.
To learn more about CBT, go to www.aabt.org.
Last updated on:
Thursday, 02-Feb-2006 09:21:28 EST
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