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August 29 2018
Read moreCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been proven effective as a form of talk therapy to help manage problems relating to how we think, feel and act.
This form of therapy is based on the idea that our distorted beliefs and thoughts are as a result of negative actions or feelings, and not unconscious forces from the past.
CBT can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions but is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression. In a previous piece, we explored CBT for Anxiety and how you can support your employees.
In this piece, we’ll focus on cognitive behavioural therapy for depression. As well as its benefits, we’ll also delve into its effectiveness for treating depression and suggest some CBT exercises you can recommend to your staff.
However, for urgent enquiries about CBT and its use for mental health issues in the workplace you can contact the Health Assured experts today on 0844 892 2493.
It’s a type of psychotherapy. It uses a blend of cognitive and behavioural therapies to identify and manage negative thoughts and behaviours. It then replaces these thoughts and feelings with other realistic and healthier ones.
But why is CBT used in the treatment of depression?
The NHS has emphasised the effectiveness of CBT for depression. According to a study carried out by various academic institutions, this form of therapy can, “reduce the symptoms of depression in people who fail to respond to drug treatment”.
Various studies highlight the link between CBT and depression. The potential to use cognitive therapy for depression was first highlighted by Aaron T. Beck and Albert Ellis in the 1950s and early 1960s.
They’re believed to have played a vital role in pioneering the use of CBT for treating depression and other mood disorders. They developed procedures to challenge negative assumptions and beliefs to help sufferers learn how to change their thoughts and adopt a more realistic approach.
So, how effective is CBT for depression and does CBT work for depression?
Using CBT, mental health professionals can delve deeper into the root causes of mental health problems. This form of therapy takes a more pragmatic and problem-solving approach than other forms of psychotherapy.
There’re instances when CBT is not working for depression, in this scenario, experts will recommend a combination of antidepressants and therapy.
The study mentioned above found that over 12 months, patients that received CBT in conjunction with antidepressants were around three times more likely to respond to treatment and see a reduction in their depression symptoms.
This form of therapy aims to use the skills learnt during the sessions to manage problems to stop them from having a negative impact.
While this form of treatment might not be suitable for everyone, according to the NHS, CBT therapy for depression can be as effective as taking medicines such as antidepressants. Other advantages include:
It’s considered short-term therapy, therefore, CBT treatments often require anything from 10 to 20 sessions. The exact amount will depend on a variety of elements including:
Individual sessions normally last for 30 to 60 minutes once or twice a week.
Various researchers have identified and developed a number of cognitive behavioural therapy interventions for depression. Using a mixture of mental exercises and worksheets, sufferers will not only understand CBT on a theoretical level, but they’ll also be equipped with the tools to apply it to their daily lives.
Examples of CBT exercises include:
As we mentioned above, while CBT may work for some people, it may not work for others. Before resorting to antidepressants, there’re other alternatives for those suffering from depression and other mental health conditions.
Employee assistance programmes are designed to support your staff when they need it most.
It’s a benefits programme that helps employees address problems that might impact their work performance or wellbeing.
Health Assured’s EAP service offers a range of trauma-specific interventions, one of which includes cognitive behavioural therapy. Also included as part of this service:
Contact us today for more information on recognising and managing depression at work on 0844 892 2493.
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