Treatment for Depression

What is cognitive behavioural therapy?

A method for treating mental health conditions based on cognitive and behavioural techniques

What is the cognitive element for CBT?

Assessment of the client, the therapist and client work together to clarify the client’s problems. Identify goals for the therapy and create a plan

What is the behaviour element of CBT?

Working to change negative and irrational thoughts

What theory does CBT link to?

Beck’s theory of depression

Beck’s cognitive therapy

Challenges negative thoughts. Clients are set homework, record when they enjoyed an event or when people are nice to them

Ellis’ rational emotive behavioural therapy

ABCDE model. D for dispute irrational thoughts and E stands for effect. Identify irrational thoughts, replace irrational beliefs with effective attitudes. Use empirical dispute, ask the client where the evidence is

What is homework?

Patients are asked to complete assignments between sessions. Vital in testing irrational beliefs and putting new rational beliefs into practice

What is behavioural activation?

When individuals become depressed, they avoid difficult situations and become isolated, maintains symptoms

What is the goal for behavioural activation?

Work with depressed individuals to decrease their avoidance, isolation and increase their engagement in activities that have been shown to improve their mood