hat negative thinking in depression is the result of attitudes and beliefs developed from early life experiences. The author proposed that negative thinking causes depression and once depressed, a whole pattern of negative thinking in set in motion about one’s self, past and future. Cognitive methods a therapist can use are psychosocial education about the treatment model, keeping a diary to monitor thoughts and feelings and helping the client to identify the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Behavioral methods that therapists can use are role-playing, behavioral rehearsal and therapist role-modeling coping skills. An analysis of the evidence of the efficacy of CBT The efficacy of cognitive therapy in treating depression was documented by a review of 15 studies that concluded cognitive behavioral therapy was at least as effective as medication in treating depressed outpatients. The research of these studies revealed that a combination of both medication and CBT was more effective than either one alone. However, some of studies by originators of CBT put into question the efficacy of CBT. They showed that about only about half the patients who received this therapy experienced marked improvements. The author also cited other studies that question this intervention’s effectiveness because of possible conflicts of interest by those involved in the research projects. He stated that professionals should remain cautious of overenthusiastic efficacy claims. He also stated that he thought that some of the applications of cognitive behavior therapy remain highly experimental and required considerably more research. Without it, he believed, there would be no true way to understand what works for whom, and why.How this article makes a unique contribution: This article was unique because it also reviewed the results of many different research studies. However, the author stated that the originator of CBT ...
