Randomized Controlled Trial

Globally, major depressive disorder (MDD) is among the top five public health concerns today (Cuijpers et al., 2011; Jakobsen, Hansen, Simonsen, & Gluud, 2011; Hees, Rotter, Ellermann, & Evers, 2013). Moreover, almost 20% of patients with depression engage in self-harming behaviors, including suicidal attempts (Gamble et al., 2013; Jakobsen et al., 2011). Not only is the prevalence of depression alarming, but costly to the health care system (Cuijpers et al., 2011; Cuijpers et al., 2014; Hees et al., 2013; Jakobsen et al., 2011). The use of antidepressants is the standard for initial treatment, but may be limiting in preventing relapse (Cuijpers et al., 2014; Jakobsen et al., 2011). Therefore, the inclusion of non-pharmacological interventions may be necessary to improve treatment outcomes (Cuijpers et al., 2011; Dekker et al., 2013; Jakobsen et al., 2011). Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are the two primary psychotherapeutic interventions recommended in the treatment of depression. In this paper, I will discuss the difference between CBT and IPT, compare the effectiveness between both therapies, explore their efficacy as an adjunct treatment with antidepressant medications, and summarize the treatment guidelines for depression.

Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be as successful as medicine in treating many types of depression and other mental health disorders it can be completed in a relatively short time compared with other talking therapies and because it is highly structured, CBT can be provided in a number of different formats such as through computer programs, groups and self-help books. Some research suggests that CBT may be better than antidepressants at preventing the return of depression. It is thought to be one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression.

Individual therapy carried out over the Internet can include asynchronous methods, such as e-mail, synchronous methods, such as web-based messaging (instant messaging), chat, videoconferencing or voice-over IP (Internet phone). Virtual reality therapy and online video game therapy are two additional emerging online modalities. Online counseling may be provided as the primary treatment modality or as an adjunct to more traditional forms of mental health treatment. There are many advantages of online counseling. First of all, it provides accessibility to individuals who are disabled or housebound. Then, it is also always affordable and convenient. Internet makes mental health information more accessible. Later, people also feel comfortable while talking to friends and family about their health care issues, but may not feel the same discussing mental health

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most extensively tested psychotherapies for depression. Many studies have confirmed the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for depression. This paper will provide background information about the intervention, address the target population, and describe program structure and key components. It will also provide examples of program implementation, challenges/barriers to implementing the practice, address how the practice supports recovery from a serious mental illness standpoint and provide a summary. Although there are several types of therapy available to treat depression and other mood disorders, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) has been one of the most widely

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

The use of prescription drugs has become prevalent in our society for treating mental illness. Television commercial breaks are inundated with ads for prescription medication. If a person seeking help visits a psychiatrist’s office to get help for depression, anxiety, or ADHD, they are likely to get a quick swipe of a pen on a little white prescription pad and be sent on their way. While prescriptions can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of mental illness, they cannot cure the underlying source of the problem. This has been found to be the case for depression. “The effectiveness of antidepressants is being called into question more and more, while the research behind the value of behavioral interventions is growing. A study suggested that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was as effective in preventing relapse in chronic depression as antidepressants” (Walton). Using medication by itself may give people the relief they need in the short-run, but therapy can have lasting results that will improve the person’s quality of life in lasting ways.

Treatments using anti-depressants is well documented, but there are very few studies documenting only the use of psychotherapy. However, in one study done using the Cognitive–behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy (CBASP) as a maintenance treatment, the overall findings show that psychotherapy in itself can be successful. “ There were 82 patients who were treated with CBASP long term. Patients were chosen at random to reduce their treatment to monthly or to an observational status. The patients, only treated monthly with CBASP, showed a smaller amount of reoccurring symptoms then the patients in the observational status. These findings support the use of only CBASP as a maintenance treatment for depression.” (Klein, 2004)

In this article the authors used data from 66 participants between the ages of 21-65 years-of-age who were suffering from major depressive symptoms only. They participated in a comparative treatment study where they received 16 sessions once a week of either CBT or PET. In the study 13 masters/doctorial candidates and 2 psychologists with 1-15 years of experience administered the therapy. Eight implemented the CBT focusing on cognitive schemas to facilitate change by using various homework sheets such as thought records and mood schedules. While the other seven implemented PET, which focused on attitudes to facilitate change. They used various treatment tasks to resolve cognitive-effective problems.

This essay is about the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in the treatment of depression. The purpose of this essay is to address the question, how mindfulness works to improve mental health when used as part of psychological treatment? Firstly, a brief overview is given about what depression is and what the symptoms are, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). Secondly, It will discuss mindfulness, as it is defined in mental health treatments. The main body of this essay will cover a description of what MBTC is, where it comes from, how it works, and how this treatment is activated in mindfulness based therapies. The final section will review three studies that have used MBCT in the treatment of depression.

J. R. van Aalderen, et al (2011) examined the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) for recurrent depressive patients and found that MBCT resulted in a comparable reduction of depressive symptoms for patients. Analyses also suggest that the reduction of depressive symptoms was mediated by decreased

Terms discussed in paper: CBT: Cognitive-behavioural therapy; HEP: Health enhancement program; TAU: Treatment as usual; TRD: Treatment-resistant depression; Mediators: Measurable changes during a treatment; MBCT: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy;

As mentioned above, therapeutic interventions may be delivered by numerous routes, including email, web text-chat, and video chat. Some programs are utilized as self-help or as adjuncts to professionally administered therapy. These resources include online support forums for specific concerns, support chat rooms, psychoeducational resources, and structured programs that are based on therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT in this context). Such distinctions may have very important implications for the acceptability of the program in question as well as for efficacy and user adherence. The efficacy of online psychotherapy services is an important topic. Different studies report varying results, likely as a result of the broad variability of web-based interventions that are being studied. Some researchers in this area have attempted to tackle the problems that this variability presents by proposing a system of categorization for different types of programs. Barack et al (2009) suggested that implementing a four-category system that distinguishes among web-based interventions, online counseling/therapy, Internet operated psychotherapeutic software, and other online programs considered

Online therapy has emerged as a viable new option in the helping profession. Online therapy or e-therapy occurs when a therapist provides therapy and support over the Internet. E-mail, chat, video, or smart phone are all ways individuals can communicate through online therapy. Online therapy websites are abounding on the Internet, any individual seeking online therapy will surely find what they are looking for. This paper will evaluate and explain the content from

CBT is a structured psychological treatment which identifies that cognition, emotion and behaviour all interact together. Therefore, it can be said that our thoughts determine our feelings and our response. A negative impact of the actions taken by someone when that person suffers from psychological distress caused by how skewed they interpret situations. CBT involves working with a therapist to distinguish thought and behavioural patterns that are either making a client more likely to become depressed, or stopping a client from getting better when experiencing depression. The purpose of CBT is to increase the client’s awareness when negative interpretations are made and when behavioural patterns reinforce distorted thinking. Cognitive therapy helps people to develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving which aim to reduce their psychological

In this paper, I will describe my initial thoughts about the practice of mindfulness and my development regarding practicing it. Furthermore, I will explore the idea of being a mindful therapist and how I am hoping to apply this with patients in the future.