Therapy (2.5%)
Choose one of the disorders covered in this course or another disorder discussed in the textbook (Butcher, Mineka, & Hooley, 2017).
- Locate at least two peer-reviewed, scholarly sources in the Keiser University library that discuss the effectiveness of one or more of the following types of therapies discussed in chapter 16: behavioral, cognitive (or cognitive-behavioral), psychodynamic, or humanistic.
- Summarize the effectiveness of the therapy in each study that you review.
Select the "Week 8 Discussion" link above. Then, in the week 8 discussion forum, select "Reply" to add your response to the discussion questions. You must make a minimum of four substantive contributions to other posts on two separate days. Post your initial response to the discussion question early in the learning week (no later than Wednesday), and then respond to a minimum of three other posts no later than Sunday.
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Post text editorPostCameron England
21 hours ago, at 12:57 PM
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Rose Mcknight
Dec 19, 2025 10:55 PM
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Hello Professor and class,
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and cognitive and behavioral changes that significantly impair daily functioning (Butcher et al., 2017). Among the various therapeutic approaches discussed in Chapter 16, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been widely studied and is considered one of the most effective treatments for depression.
One peer-reviewed study by Cuijpers et al. (2013) examined the effectiveness of CBT for adult depression through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The authors found that CBT was significantly more effective than control conditions (e.g., waitlist or treatment-as-usual) in reducing depressive symptoms. Additionally, CBT demonstrated comparable effectiveness to antidepressant medication, particularly for mild to moderate depression. The study also highlighted CBT’s long-term benefits, noting lower relapse rates compared to pharmacotherapy alone. These findings support the cognitive model discussed by Butcher et al. (2017), which emphasizes identifying and restructuring maladaptive thought patterns that contribute to depressive symptoms.
Another study by DeRubeis et al. (2005) compared CBT with antidepressant medication in patients with moderate to severe depression. Results indicated that CBT was as effective as medication during the acute treatment phase and more effective in preventing relapse after treatment discontinuation. Patients who received CBT showed sustained improvement even after therapy ended, suggesting that CBT equips individuals with coping skills that extend beyond the treatment period. This aligns with the behavioral and cognitive components described in the textbook, where patients learn to modify both distorted thinking and maladaptive behaviors associated with depression (Butcher et al., 2017).
The research strongly supports CBT as an effective and evidence-based treatment for Major Depressive Disorder. Its structured, time-limited approach and focus on skill development make it a valuable therapeutic option, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with medication.
References
Butcher, J. N., Mineka, S., & Hooley, J. M. (2017). Abnormal psychology (16th ed.). Pearson.
Cuijpers, P., Berking, M., Andersson, G., Quigley, L., Kleiboer, A., & Dobson, K. S. (2013). A meta-analysis of cognitive-behavioural therapy for adult depression, alone and in comparison, with other treatments. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 58(7), 376–385. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674371305800702
DeRubeis, R. J., Hollon, S. D., Amsterdam, J. D., Shelton, R. C., Young, P. R., Salomon, R. M., … Gallop, R. (2005).
Cognitive therapy vs medications in the treatment of moderate to severe depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(4), 409–416. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.4.409