non-biological treatment of depression

Question 1

explain how CBT is used in practice with depression

Answer 1

• begins with an assessment of client’s current functioning via a questionnaire
• an agenda is set so the client decides what issue they would like to raise - this uncovers the client’s core beliefs and thinking patterns
• therapist tries to challenge the core beliefs via the ‘3 questions technique’ which helps clients address common cognitive distortions
• therapist then offers a number of different tools to help cope with negative automatic thoughts + identify triggers

Question 2

explain the role of assessment in CBT for depression

Answer 2

• the therapist and client work together to asses aspects of client’s functioning like the severity of symptoms, past treatments and personal coping resources
• therapist uses questionnaire and interview techniques to measure depression

Question 3

explain the role of education in CBT for depression

Answer 3

• the client needs to clearly understand the nature of their symptoms because they have an active role in devising and implementing the therapy plan
• the therapist provides resources such as printed or online materials for the client to learn

Question 4

explain the role of homework in CBT for depression

Answer 4

• the client needs to carry out the therapy plan devised in real-life situations
• homework gives them a chance to check the reality of their negative beliefs

Question 5

advantages of CBT for treating depression

Answer 5

• it has high credibility due to research support
• CBT is clearly structured and has SMART targets making progress easy to evaluate
• Stiles et al examined the use of cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy in the NHS over a 3-year period
• all the therapies showed a reduction in relapse rates
• and an improvement in clients’ mood according to self-reports

Question 6

disadvantages of CBT for treating depression

Answer 6

• Stiles et al study found evidence that CBT was equally as effective as other psychological treatments but not more effective
• Stiles looked at person-centred therapy psychodynamic therapy and found that the success rate for all these psychotherapies was the same
• therefore CBT hasn’t been proven to be the most effective therapy for treating depression

Question 7

application of CBT for treating depression

Answer 7

• the national institute for clinical excellence (NICE) recommends CBT as the first treatment for mild to moderate depression
• the national institute for clinical excellence (NICE) and NHS are government funded
• CBT is free on the NHS
• this represents government backing for CBT in the UK