Cognitive treatments for depression

• what is the aim of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)?

  • to alter negative thinking and beliefs in order to change dysfunctional behaviours.
  • alter the cognitive triad.
  • gives p's coping strategies to deal w/ depressive symptoms.
• outline CBT (length, nature etc)

  • 20 sessions (over 16 weeks).
  • directive in nature, focusing on current thought patterns.
  • hw set between sessions.
• what are the key strategies of CBT?

  • recognising irrational thoughts.
  • challenging irrational thoughts.
  • thought diaries
  • hypothesis testing (the client as a 'scientist').
  • hw
  • behavioural activation
• what are the stages of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?


  1. identifying thoughts
  2. testing beliefs
  3. reflecting
  4. challenging beliefs
  5. replacing thoughts
• how does the therapist identify irrational thoughts in CBT?


  through questioning and examples.
• what is the purpose of homework tasks in CBT?

  to test the reality of irrational beliefs.
• what does the client do in the next session after completing homework tasks?

  reflects on their experience based on the task.
• how does the therapist use evidence from homework tasks in CBT?

  to challenge the client's irrational beliefs.
• what is the next step if the client's irrational beliefs still need to be challenged?

  set further homework tasks.
• what type of homework might be set to help with behavioral activation?

  engage in enjoyable activities.
• what is the ultimate goal of CBT regarding irrational thoughts?

  to replace them with more positive ones.
• what is the process of REBT (rational emotive behaviour therapy)?

  ABC

  D: disputing irrational thoughts and beliefs (reframing and education phase.)

  E: effective thoughts- figure out more effective thoughts/feelings.

  F: new feelings or emotions produced.
• what does REBT say?

  most people are A-C people, but for people with depression beliefs inbetween A and C determine how they feel.
• what are the 3 kinds of disputing?

  logical- therapist will question the logic of a client's thought.

  empirical- therapist will seek evidence for thought.

  pragmatic- therapist will ask if it is helpful to think this way.
• what is learned helplessness?

  psychological state in which an individual, after repeated exposure to uncontrollable negative events, believes they are powerless to change their situation, even when opportunities to do so arise.
• how does learned helplessness apply to depression?

  applies to depression as person conditions themselves to feel worthless and negative about situations.
• what are some genetic (family studies) explanations of depression?

  • wender et al. (1986)- found that adopted children who develop depression were more likely to have a depressive biological parent, suggesting genetic link to the disorder.
  • plomin et al. (2013)- used gene mapping techniques studying 3,154 pairs of twins/ study suggests that genetics can explain 66% of cognitive abilities therefore both are important in the development of the disorder.