Describe cognitive therapy for depression
Beck’s cognitive therapy, Ellis’s rational emotive behaviour therapy attempt to change/modify negative schema/irrational thoughts to alleviate the symptoms of depression
‘Thought-catching’ – identification of irrational thoughts
• diary records to monitor events and identify situations in which negative thinking occurs so these can be targeted
‘Patient as scientist’ – generate hypotheses to test validity of irrational thoughts (reality testing)
homework assignments to test the client’s hypothesis/negative thinking and evaluate the evidence
reinforcement of positive thoughts
dispute irrational thoughts through vigorous empirical and/or logical argument
