Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cognitive-behavioral treatment of depression, part III: Reducing cognitive biases

  • Published:
Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Cognitive therapy has become a well established and widely used treatment for depression. However, most treatment guidelines describe a session-by-session focus that may not adequately conform with the individualized nature of individual psychotherapy used in most clinical settings. The present manuscript describes strategies for helping clients to reduce their cognitive biases by: (1) identifying their cognitive biases, (2) appreciating the relationship between cognitions, emotions, and behavior, (3) distancing themselves from their perspective, (4) developing realistic positive self-statements, (5) altering maladaptive thought processes, (6) shortening the temporal delay required to challenge their thoughts, and (7) learning to find positive elements in predominantly negative situations. These strategies for reducing cognitive biases can be incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes modules for the assessment of depression severity and suicide risk, enhancing social performance, and improving problem-solving skills. The modules are meant to be used in a flexible manner, allowing the therapist to address a variety of treatment goals while still responding to the unique needs of each client.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alloy, L., & Abramson, L. (1988). Depressive realism: Four theoretical perspectives. In L. Alloy (Ed.),Cognitive processes in depression (pp. 223–265). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1967).Depression: Causes and treatment. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1976).Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. New York: Meridian.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1983). Cognitive therapy of depression: New perspectives. In P. Clayton & J. Barrett (Eds.),Treatment of depression: Old controversies and new approaches (pp. 265–290). New York: Raven Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., & Emery, G. (1985).Anxiety disorders and phobias: A cognitive perspective. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Hollon, S., Young, J., Bedrosian, R., & Budenz, D. (1985). Treatment of depression with cognitive therapy and amitriptyline.Archives of General Psychiatry, 42, 142–148.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B., & Emery, G. (1979).Cognitive therapy of depression. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bedrosian, R., & Beck, A. T. (1980). Principles of cognitive therapy. In M. Mahoney (Ed.),Psychotherapy process: Current issues and future directions (pp. 127–152). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, R., & Beck, A. T. (1981). Cognitive therapy for depression. In J. Clarkin & H. Glazer (Eds.),Depression: Behavioral and directive intervention strategies (pp. 111–130). New York: Garland Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeJong, R., Treiber, R., & Henrich, G. (1986). Effectiveness of two psychological treatments for inpatients with severe and chronic depressions.Cognitive Therapy and Research, 10, 645–663.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elkin, I., Shea, T., Watkins, J., Imber, S., Sotsky, S., Collins, J., Glass, D., Pilkonis, P., Leber, W., Docherty, J., Fiester, S., & Parloff, M. (1989). National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program: General effectiveness of treatments.Archives of General Psychiatry, 46, 971–982.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, M., Hollon, S., DeRubeis, R., Piasecki, J., Grove, W., Garvey, M., & Tuason, V. (1992). Differential relapse following cognitive therapy and pharmacology for depression.Archives of General Psychiatry, 49, 802–808.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. (1986). Stress processes and depressive symptomatology.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95, 107–113.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Folkman, S., Lazarus, R., Dunkel-Schetter, C., DeLongis, A., & Gruen, R. (1986). Dynamics of a stressful encounter: Cognitive appraisal, coping, and encounter outcomes.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 992–1003.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, R., & Beck, A. T. (1982). Cognitive therapy for depression: Historical development, basic concepts and procedures. In P. Keller & L. Ritt (Eds.),Innovations in clinical practice: A sourcebook (pp. 37–52). Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Exchange.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollon, S., DeRubeis, R., Evans, M., Wiemer, M., Garvey, M., Grove, W., & Tuason, V. (1992). Cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy for depression: Singly and in combination.Archives of General Psychiatry, 49, 774–781.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollon, S., DeRubeis, R., & Seligman, M. (1992). Cognitive therapy and the prevention of depression.Applied & Preventive Psychology, 1, 89–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollon, S., & Garber, J. (1980). A cognitive-expectancy theory of therapy for helplessness and depression. In J. Garber & M. Seligman (Eds.),Human helplessness: Theory and applications (pp. 173–195). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingram, R., & Wisnicki, K. (1991). Cognition in depression. In P. Magaro (Ed.),Cognitive bases of mental disorders (pp. 187–230). Newbury Park, CA: SAGE Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovacs, M. (1980). Cognitive therapy in depression.Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis, 8, 127–144.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kovacs, M., Rush, A. J., Beck, A. T., & Hollon, S. (1981). Depressed outpatients treated with cognitive therapy or pharmacotherapy: A one-year follow-up.Archives of General Psychiatry, 38, 33–39.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lewinsohn, P., Steinmetz, J., Larson, D., & Franklin, J. (1981). Depression-related cognitions: Antecedent or consequence?Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90, 213–219.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marlatt, G. A. (1985). Relapse prevention: Theoretical rationale and overview of the model. In G. A. Marlatt & J. Gordon (Eds.),Relapse prevention: Maintenance strategies in the treatment of addictive behaviors (pp. 3–70). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, I., Norman, W., & Keitner, G. (1989). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of depressed inpatients: Six- and twelve-month follow-up.American Journal of Psychiatry, 146, 1274–1279.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, G., Simons, A., Wetzel, R., & Lustman, P. (1984). Cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy: Singly and together in the treatment of depression.Archives of General Psychiatry, 41, 33–41.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Overholser, J. C. (1993a). Elements of the Socratic method: I. Systematic questioning.Psychotherapy, 30, 67–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overholser, J. C. (1993b). Elements of the Socratic method: II. Inductive reasoning.Psychotherapy, 30, 75–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overholser, J. C. (1994). Elements of the Socratic method: m. Universal definitions.Psychotherapy, 31, 286–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overholser, J. C. (1995a). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of depression, Part I: Assessment of depression and suicide risk.Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 25, 185–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overholser, J. C. (1995b). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of depression, Part II: Techniques for improving social functioning.Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 25, 205–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Overholser, J. C. (in press). Elements of the Socratic method: IV. Disavowal of knowledge.Psychotherapy.

  • Overholser, J. C., Miller, I., & Norman, W. (1987). The course of depressive symptoms in suicidal vs. nonsuicidal depressed patients.Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 175, 450–456.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rush, A. J. (1980). Psychotherapy of the affective psychoses.American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 40, 99–123.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rush, A. J. (1983). Cognitive therapy for depression. In M. Zales (Eds.),Affective and schizophrenic disorders: New approaches to diagnosis and treatment (pp. 178–206). New York: Brunner/Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rush, A. J., & Beck, A. T. (1978a). Cognitive therapy of depression and suicide.American Journal of Psychotherapy, 32, 201–219.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rush, A. J., & Beck, A. T. (1978b). Adults with affective disorders. In M. Hersen & A. Bellack (Eds.),Behavior therapy in the psychiatric setting (pp. 286–330). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rush, A. J., Beck, A. T., Kovacs, M., & Hollon, S. (1977). Comparative efficacy of cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of depressed outpatients.Cognitive Therapy and Research, 1, 17–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rush, A. J., & Giles, D. (1982). Cognitive therapy: Theory and research. In A. J. Rush (Ed.),Short-term psychotherapies for depression: Behavioral, interpersonal, cognitive, and psychodynamic approaches (pp. 143–181). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacco, W., & Beck, A. T. (1985). Cognitive therapy of depression. In E. Beckham & W. Leber (Eds.),Handbook of depression: Treatment, assessment, and research (pp. 3–38). Homewood, IL: Dorsey Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, R. (1986). The internal dialogue: On the asymmetry between positive and negative coping thoughts.Cognitive Therapy and Research, 10, 591–605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, J., Silverman, J., & Eardley, D. (1984). Do maladaptive attitudes cause depression?Archives of General Psychiatry, 41, 28–30.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simons, A., Garfield, S., & Murphy, G. (1984). The process of change in cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy for depression.Archives of General Psychiatry, 41, 45–51.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simons, A., Murphy, G., Levine, J., & Wetzel, R. (1986). Cognitive therapy and pharmacotherapy for depression: Sustained improvement over one year.Archives of General Psychiatry, 43, 43–48.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Teasdale, J., Fennell, M., Hibbert, G., & Amies, P. (1984). Cognitive therapy for major depressive disorder in primary care.British Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 400–406.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thase, M., Simons, A., Cahalane, J., McGeary, J., & Harden, T. (1991). Severity of depression and response to cognitive behavior therapy.American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 784–789.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, J., & Beck, A. T. (1983). Cognitive therapy of depression: Theory and practice.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 34, 1119–1127.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Young, J., & Beck, A. T. (1982). Cognitive therapy: Clinical applications. In A. J. Rush (Ed.),Short-term psychotherapies for depression: Behavioral, interpersonal, cognitive, and pychodynamic approaches (pp. 182–214). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, 44106-7123, Cleveland, Ohio

    James C. Overholser Ph.D.

Authors
  1. James C. Overholser Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Overholser, J.C. Cognitive-behavioral treatment of depression, part III: Reducing cognitive biases. J Contemp Psychother 25, 311–329 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02306567

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02306567

Keywords

Search

Navigation