cognitive approach to treating depression

• cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

  -identifying clients irrational thoughts

  -adopting coping strategies

  -helping them to convert their irrational thoughts to rational ones
• Ellis' (1962) extended ABC model (REBT)

  D-disputing irrational thoughts and beliefs

  E-effects of disputing and effective attitude to life

  F-feelings that are produced
• Logical disputing (REBT)


  self-defeating beliefs do not follow from the event
• Empirical disputing (REBT)


  self-defeating beliefs are inconsistent with reality
• Pragmatic disputing


  the pointlessness of self-defeating beliefs
• strengths of CBT

  -Ellis claimed 90% success rate for REBT

  -support for behavioural activation, Babyak et al (2000) patients improved mental health by completing aerobic exercise and had low relapse rates

  -cuijpers et al found that CBT was especially effective when used with drug therapy
• weaknesses of CBT

  -individual differences, CBT works less well with people who have high levels of irrational beliefs that are resistant to change

  -some people with depression are too severely depressed to engage with the demands of CBT therefore it may not be effective

  -alternative treatments available
• homework


  patients often asked to complete homework outside sessions to test irrational beliefs against reality and create new rational beliefs
• Behavioural activation


  Therapist encourages patient to engage in enjoyable activities or exercise to provide more evidence for irrational nature of beliefs
• unconditional positive regard


  an attitude of total acceptance toward another person which facilitates a change in belief and attitude