Cognitive Approach Treating Depression

• CBT and REBT change negative schemas and challenge irrational thoughts with cognitive reconstructuring
• Beck's CBT


  Patient makes and tests hypothesis about the validity of their irrational thoughts

  • When patients realise thoughts dont equal reality, schemas change, with irrational thoughts gone
  • Thought catching = identifying irrational thoughts from negative triad of schemas
  • Set homework of recording irrational thoughts in diary
• Ellis' Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)


  Development of ABC Model:

  • Dispute - Therapist confronts irrational beliefs

  1. Emperical Arguements - prove irrationality
  2. Logical Arguements - show don't make sense

  • Effect - reduction of irrational thoughts
• (+) A03: March


  Tested CBT, Drug Therapy and combined treatment

  • At 36 weeks, CBT + DT had 81% effectiveness, but combined treatment had 86% effectiveness
  • CBT reduced suicidal events more than DT
• (-) A03: CBT Hinderance


  Depression may be too serious to complete the CBT tasks e.g. diaries may not be complete due to a lack of activity levels, commitment etc.
• (-) A03: Limited Focus

  REBT and CBT only focus on present and current situations, clients may want to focus on past trauma or actually improve present situations