Cbt and Depression
This essay will review the literature on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was developed by Aaron Beck in the early 1960s and originally it was defined as cognitive therapy (CT). According to Beck (1967, 1976) cognitive therapy is a time restricted but structured approach, which is used effectively in treatment of many different mental illnesses. Despite the fact that the literature covers this therapy in a variety of contexts, this paper will mainly focus on applying CBT to depression. Depression can be described as a type of afflicted psychological well being, where the individual lacks confidence in their own worth (DH, 2004). Overall, this paper will review literature which is of assistance to the argument of whether cognitive behaviour therapy is an effective aid for depression.
Cognitive behaviour therapy is widely used in treatment for many psychological disorders, more importantly depression. The reason for this is that cognitive behaviour therapy helps people change their maladaptive thoughts and when an individual is depressed they tend to be pessimistic about the world and for that reason CBT is seen as an effective aid for depression. There are various studies which support the claim that cognitive behaviour therapy is an effective treatment of depression. A meta-analysis by Butler et al. (2006) has found that in many cases CBT was very much effective in treating not only depression but also other disorders such as panic attacks or social phobias in children. Additionally, they have also found that cognitive therapy was effective when treating adult depression. This evidence is therefore valid because it presents the effectiveness of CBT in both children and adults making it easier to generalise the findings. As a result of that, cognitive therapy is applicable to different client groups.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for depression has been shown in studies which
Cognitive behaviour therapy is widely used in treatment for many psychological disorders, more importantly depression. The reason for this is that cognitive behaviour therapy helps people change their maladaptive thoughts and when an individual is depressed they tend to be pessimistic about the world and for that reason CBT is seen as an effective aid for depression. There are various studies which support the claim that cognitive behaviour therapy is an effective treatment of depression. A meta-analysis by Butler et al. (2006) has found that in many cases CBT was very much effective in treating not only depression but also other disorders such as panic attacks or social phobias in children. Additionally, they have also found that cognitive therapy was effective when treating adult depression. This evidence is therefore valid because it presents the effectiveness of CBT in both children and adults making it easier to generalise the findings. As a result of that, cognitive therapy is applicable to different client groups.
Furthermore, the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for depression has been shown in studies which
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