AO1 - Cognitive Treatment for Depression

• 1. Cognitive aim: In CBT, the client and therapist will work together to identify irrational or negative thoughts that cause depression. These irrational or negative thoughts will then be challenged to turn them to more rational and positive thinking.
• 2. Behaviour aim: CBT involves working to change negative and irrational thoughts and finally put more effective behaviours into place
• 3. Empirical disputing: The therapist asks for evidence to support the negative/irrational thoughts - e.g. "where is the proof that nobody likes you?"

  • The therapist may get the client to complete homework and complete a diary to test the reality of their beliefs, for example, they may ask the client when anybody is ever nice to them, then in future sessions can use this to challenge the client's negative beliefs and prove their statements incorrect
• 4. Behavioural activation is used to change a client's behaviour such as encouraging the depressed individuals to be more active - this includes ensuring the client engages in activities that they once enjoyed, this helps to improve the person's mood and reduce negative thoughts
• 5. CBT is practised with the therapist but during the treatment, the client will become more independent so they can use these strategies in the real world and gain control over their depressive thoughts