Clinical Workshop: Cognitive Therapy for Unipolar Major Depression

Date & time of workshop:

May 3rd, 2022, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

There are a number of evidence-based approaches to the treatment of unipolar major depression (e.g., cognitive therapy, behavioural activation, interpersonal psychotherapy). Of these interventions, cognitive therapy (CT) has received the most research attention and empirical support. For treating an acute episode of depression, CT is comparable to behaviour therapy, other bona fide psychological treatments and antidepressant medication, with each treatment yielding superior results than placebo control conditions. Research has even demonstrated that CT is equally effective to pharmacotherapy for severe depression. CT is also prophylactic in that fewer patents relapse when treated with CT than with pharmacotherapy (see Beck & Dozois, 2011, 2014, Dozois & Beck, in press). This brief workshop will outline the cognitive model of depression and describe various CT methods used to treat this disorder.

Participants Will Learn

1. Cognitive Model of Depression

2. Evidence that Supports Cognitive Therapy

3. Case conceptualization

4. Behavioral Activation

5. Cognitive Restructuring

6. Assessing and Modifying Core Beliefs

David J. A. Dozois, Ph.D., C.Psych.

University of Western Ontario

David J. A. Dozois, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, and Director of the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Dozois is a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CACBT), the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and the CPA Section on Clinical Psychology. He is also a former Beck Institute Scholar at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research. Dr. Dozois’ research focuses on cognitive vulnerability to depression and cognitive-behavioral theory/therapy. He has published 196 scientific articles, book chapters and books, and 89 non-peer reviewed papers, and has presented over 360 research presentations at national and international conferences. He is editor of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: General Strategies (2014, Wiley) and Abnormal Psychology: Perspectives (7th ed., in press, Pearson), and co-editor of the Treatment of psychosocial risk factors in depression (in press; American Psychological Association), Handbook on the State of the Art in Applied Psychology (2021; Wiley), Handbook of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (4th ed., 2019; Guilford), Risk Factors in Depression (2008; Elsevier/Academic Press), and The Prevention of Anxiety and Depression: Theory Research and Practice (2004, American Psychological Association). Dr. Dozois received the Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession award from CPA in 2020. He was President of the CACBT (2020-2021) and twice President of the CPA (2011–12; 2016–17). He serves on the Board of Directors for Mental Health Research Canada and the International Association of Applied Psychology. In addition, he maintains a small private practice.

Learn More About Dr. Dozois

References

Beck, A. T., & Dozois, D. J. A. (2014). Cognitive theory and therapy: Past, present and future. In S. Bloch, S. A. Green, & J. Holmes (Eds.), Psychiatry – past, present and prospect (pp. 366-382). Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.

Beck, A. T., & Dozois, D. J. A. (2011). Cognitive therapy: Current status and future directions. Annual Review of. Medicine, 62, 397-409.

Dozois, D. J. A., & Beck, A. T. (in press). Negative thinking in depression: Cognitive products and schema structures. In D. J. A. Dozois & K. S. Dobson (Eds.), Treatment of psychosocial risk factors in depression. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.

Special thanks to Dr. Drapeau and Dr. Korner from the Science and Practice in Psychology research lab for making this event possible.

Clinical Workshop: Speakers