Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Below are links to descriptions of common types of therapy that may help you match your patient with an effective treatment.
Now that you have learned about several types of professional psychological therapies, go on to the next section to learn about behavioral treatments patients can undertake on their own.
CBT is a short-term therapy that engages patients in the replacement of negative, defeatist thinking with more positive, adaptive thoughts. Structured exercises encourage patients to challenge depressive thought patterns. Studies show significant improvements in mood after just a few sessions.
Consider use of CBT for patients who repeatedly express negative thoughts or a sense of utter hopelessness. Also recommend it to patients who feel they cannot get better, or those who have issues with task completion.
With CBT, much of the treatment is handled as "homework" outside of the actual therapy session. Patients who are motivated to undertake independent work tend to do better.
After 16 or fewer sessions, patients can expect to see an improvement in mood, an increase in resilience, a willingness to embrace new behaviors, and a better sense of control of their life.
Learn more about CBT from the University of Michigan Depression Center.
