Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression: A Primer

Depression is one of the most common, disabling, and lethal (e.g., suicide) forms of psychopathology. Nearly 300 million people struggle with depression worldwide, and it is the leading cause of disability for people ages 15-44. Unfortunately, most people with depression do not receive the treatment they need. There is limited access to mental health services, and when services are available, the treatments used tend to have limited scientific support. This is because many mental health professionals are not trained in empirically supported treatments, are ambivalent about the role of science in clinical practice, and have limited access to scientific research (e.g., journal paywalls). The purpose of this special issue article is to provide a free and easy to use primer on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression. CBT is the most studied form of psychotherapy, has a strong theoretical basis, can be implemented by therapists of varying experience levels, and is as effective or more effective than existing treatments, including medication. CBT may not work for every client, but it is the best place to start. In this article, we discuss: a) why CBT should be the first-line treatment for depression, b) the theoretical basis of CBT for depression, and c) a basic overview of how to administer 12 sessions of CBT for depression. We also provide a reading list and supplemental open-access materials (e.g., a cognitive skills workbook) for further education.