Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression, Dr. Dobson sees a client dealing with depression and works with them to understand the problem and develop a treatment strategy. Dr. Dobson assesses the root of the client’s depression and forms an alliance with them by validating and supporting their experience. Dr. Dobson and the client work together to identify helpful and unhelpful coping strategies and how the client can move forward. The demonstration in this video is framed by an informative discussion with the guest therapist hosted by Dr. Katherine Helm.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression and anxiety disorders. One of the dominant approaches to psychotherapy, CBT emphasizes the interrelated roles of cognition, emotion, and behavior. In treating depression, CBT focuses on dysfunctional beliefs and situational cognitions and their influence on emotional and behavioral outcomes. Therapy aims to help clients develop coping skills with which they can learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions, and behavior.

Dr. Dobson is a professor emeritus of clinical psychology at the University of Calgary.  His research has focused on both models and the treatment of depression, particularly using cognitive behavioral therapies. In addition to his research in depression, Dr. Dobson has written about developments in professional psychology and ethics and has been actively involved in organized psychology in Canada, including a term as president of the Canadian Psychological Association.

Dr. Dobson is also a principal investigator for the Opening Minds program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, with a focus on stigma reduction related to mental disorders in the workplace. Dr. Dobson’s research has resulted in over 440 published articles and chapters, 19 books, DVDs and conference and workshop presentations in many countries. His recent books include The Stigma of Mental Illness (Oxford University Press; 2021) and Clinical Depression: An Individualized, Biopsychosocial Approach to Assessment and Treatment (APA Books; 2024).

Dr. Dobson has also held leadership positions in the field of cognitive and behavioral therapies, most recently as the president of the World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (2019- 2023). In recognition of his work, he has received numerous awards including the Canadian Psychological Association Gold Medal for Lifetime Contributions to Psychology, fellow status with the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada, and officer status in the Order of Canada.

APA Videos of Related Interest

Cognitive Therapy Over Time
Keith S. Dobson, PhD

Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy Strategies
Keith S. Dobson, PhD

Cognitive Restructuring of Automatic Thoughts
Keith S. Dobson, PhD, Pamela A. Hays, PhD, and Amy Wenzel, PhD, ABPP

Core Belief Work and Acceptance
Keith S. Dobson, PhD, Pamela A. Hays, PhD, and Amy Wenzel, PhD, ABPP

Cognitive Therapy for Depression Online
Steven D. Hollon PhD

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Adolescent Depression
John F. Curry, PhD

Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Older Adults With Depression 
Gregory A. Hinrichsen, PhD

APA Books of Related Interest

Cognitive Therapy
Keith S. Dobson, PhD

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques and Strategies 
Amy Wenzel PhD, Keith S. Dobson, and Pamela A. Hays

Clinical Depression: An Individualized, Biopsychosocial Approach to Assessment and Treatment
Keith S. Dobson, PhD

Treatment of Psychosocial Risk Factors in Depression
David J. A. Dozois, PhD, and Keith S. Dobson, PhD

Complex Depression: The Role of Personality Dynamics and Social Ecology
Golan Shahar, PhD

Other Resources

Kazantzis, N. Dattilio, F. M., & Dobson, K. S. (2017). The therapeutic relationship in cognitive behavior therapy: The Heart and Soul of Effective Practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Dobson, D. J. G., & Dobson, K. S. (2017). Evidence-based practice of cognitive behavior therapy, 2nd edition. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Dobson, K. S. & Dozois, D. J. A. (Eds.). (2019). Handbook of Cognitive-behavioral Therapies (4th Edition). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

Dobson, K. S. (2024, April).  Clinical depression: An individualized biopsychosocial approach to assessment and treatment.  Washington, DC: American Psychological Association Press.