ABSTRACT
The topic of this chapter is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for depression. It will begin with a description of depression and its symptoms. CBT and its key characteristics are then outlined. It is highlighted that CBT is short term, collaborative and based on a cognitive behavioural theory of depression. This theory holds that the area that is faulty in depression is cognition, our thinking. Both the content of our thinking and the strategies or processes used to organize it can be unhelpful. Both are described. Following this there is a change of direction towards how CBT works in practice. An attempt is made to outline the standard structure of CBT sessions and the tasks involved in therapy as a whole. Then we come on to strategies that are useful for identifying and challenging thoughts and beliefs. Towards the end of the chapter, outcome studies are considered. These examine whether CBT works at all and how well it works in treating depression in comparison with other treatments.
