What is cognitive therapy for depression?
It’s thesis is the “Mood Follows Thought.” Cognitive therapy asks you to identify the thoughts you were thinking when you are depressed and then analyze these thoughts to see if they are valid and also to change these thoughts from negative to positive thoughts. It was invented by a Dr. Beck. I should add that Cognitive therapy is designed to treat short term depression. Dr. Beck thought that using traditional Analytical Therapy (Freudian) for temporary but severe short term depression was like using an operation to cure a bad flu. Dr. Beck would likely say that analytical or traditional Freudian therapy plus medical treatment is needed for long-term chronic depression.
