Depression and Cognitive Therapy

Depression and Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive theory and cognitive therapy originated in Beck’s observation
and treatment of depressed patients. Originally trained in psychoanalysis,
Beck observed that his patients experienced specific types of thoughts, of
which they were only dimly aware, that they did not report during their free
associations. Beck noticed that these thoughts were frequently followed by
an unpleasant effect. Further, he noted that as the patients examined and
modified their thoughts, their mood began to improve.

At the time of the emergence of the cognitive model, the treatment world
was dominated primarily by the psychoanalytic model (with its heavy emphasis
on the unconscious processes) and to a lesser extent by the behavioral
model (with its emphasis on the behavioral processes, to the exclusion
of thought). The psychoanalytic model was under attack, primarily because
of a lack of careful empirical support. In contrast, behavior therapists were
actively demonstrating the efficacy of their approaches in carefully designed
studies. Beck and his students began to develop and test cognitive procedures
systematically, and they have developed an impressive body of research
support for the approach.


Sources for Further Study

Beck, Aaron T. Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders. New York: International
Universities Press, 1976. An easy-to-read book that presents a
general overview of the cognitive model and illustrates the cognitive
model of different psychological disorders.
Beck, Aaron T., and Gary Emery. Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective.

Reprint. New York: Basic Books, 1990. Presents the cognitive theory
and model of anxiety disorders, as well as the clinical techniques used
with anxious patients.
Beck, Aaron T., A. J. Rush, B. F. Shaw, and Gary Emery. Cognitive Therapy of
Depression. Reprint. New York: Guilford Press, 1987. Presents the cognitive
theory of depression and actual techniques used with depressed patients.
Makes a theoretical contribution and serves as a clinical handbook
on depression.

Burns, David D. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy. Rev. ed. New York: Avon,
1999. Readable introduction to the major concepts and techniques of
cognitive therapy; written by one of Beck’s students.
Emery, Gary, Steven D. Hollom, and Richard C. Bedrosian, eds. New Directions
in Cognitive Therapy: A Casebook. New York: Guilford Press, 1981. Contains
cases presented by major cognitive therapists. Focuses on the application
of cognitive therapy to a wide range of presenting problems (such
as loneliness and agoraphobia) as well as diverse populations.

Donald G. Beal
See also: Cognitive Behavior Therapy; Cognitive Social Learning: Walter
Mischel; Personal Constructs: George A. Kelly.200