User:RMurley/Depression in childhood and adolescence

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based treatment that has been shown to be particularly effective when treating children and adolescence, who have depression. At its core, CBT addresses the concept that thoughts affect feelings which in turn affects behavior. CBT combines components of cognitive therapy and a behavioral therapy. The cognitive component of CBT aims to change harmful ways of thinking and reframe negative thoughts in a more positive way. Patients learn to monitor their negative thoughts, to become aware of the link between their thoughts, the effect their thoughts have on them and their behavior. The goal is for the patient to become aware of and change the negative, depressive thoughts which affect their health and state of mind (43). The behavioral component aims to help change the client’s harmful ways of acting and gain control over behavior which is causing problems. The approach can be used to help anyone irrespective of ability, culture, race, gender, or sexual preference. It can be applied with or without concurrent psychopharmacological medication, depending on the severity or nature of each patient's problem. Although it typically is thought of as one of the briefer psychotherapeutic treatments, especially in a research settings, the treatment duration of CBT can range between 5 to 20 sessions, with 12 being the average, depending on the need of the patient. Duration of treatment varies depending on patient comorbidity, defined treatment goals, and the specific conditions of the health-care system (44). During a CBT session there are common elements that therapists implement when working with depressed children and adolescence. These elements fall either under behavioral or cognitive intervention. Common cognitive interventions include psychoeducation of depression for the child and/or parent, goal setting, and problem solving. Common behavioral interventions include activity selection, social skills training, communication skills and relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.