CBT is a well-documented effective treatment for depression (Karel & Hinrichsen, 2000). CBT was originally developed for the treatment of depression (Bemporad, 1992 as cited in Beech, 2000) and has been extensively researched over the past three decades (Beech, 2000; Laidlaw, et al., 2008; American Psychiatric Association, 2010). (Kurylo, 2007) states that “CBT offers a present focused, collaborative and problem oriented approach to the treatment of depression”. (Tolin, 2010) found that evidence for the benefits of CBT is most pronounced in those patients with anxiety and depressive disorders. Research has found that CBT strategies are effective in treating depression, and in particular have the potential to decrease the risk of relapse in …show more content…
CBT is based on both cognitive therapy and behavioural therapy. Cognitive therapy states the way we think about things affects how we feel emotionally and how we behave in a given situation (Karel & Hinrichsen, 2000). Therefore, “thoughts always come before any feeling and before any action” (Monash, 2006, p. 157; The Australian Psychological Society, 2006). Behavioural therapy is based on the theory that behaviour is learned and can therefore be changed (The Australian Psychological Society, 2006; Karel & Hinrichsen, 2000). Hackney & Cormier (2009, p. 207) state the overall aim of any cognitive therapy is to “reduce emotional distress and corresponding maladaptive behaviour patterns by altering or correcting errors in thought, perceptions, and beliefs”, it aims to reduce the symptoms experienced. CBT is based on the idea that cognitive, behavioural, somatic and emotional systems are all interrelated (Beech, 2000). The Beck model of cognitive therapy states that how a person thinks, feels and behaves determines how that person perceives their experiences (Beck et al. 1979 as cited in Laidlaw, (2008). Our individual feelings and responses are not controlled by the particular situation, but rather by the way that we view it (Curwen, Palmer, & Ruddell, …show more content…
A study by Elikin et al. (1989 ) as cited in (Morgan, 2011) also found this to be true, reporting that their study revealed CBT as less effective than interpersonal therapy and antidepressant therapy in those with severe depression. Beech (2000, p.349) goes on to state that some authors have suggested that CBT approaches are limited in that they view emotions “as something which is controlled rather than experienced”. Beech (2000) reports that a major weakness if CBT is its inability to explain the physical symptoms which accompany depression. A specific limitation of the use of CBT is that older people are unlikely to benefit from psychotherapy. This belief can be traced back to Freud’s claim that “older people lack the mental plasticity to change or benefit from psychotherapy” (Pinquart & Sorensen, 2001 as cited in Laidlaw et al. 2008). In the case of John, CBT was difficult to be implemented due to time constraints of delivery 1:1 care to clients by the counsellor. Due to the structured nature of sessions with CBT, John found it difficult to attend every session due to increased sleep and decreased