Introduction

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an active, directive, time-limited and structured approach to the treatment of depression that has good empirical support for its efficacy. It is based on an underlying theoretical rational that affect and behavior are largely determined by the way a person structures the world and the thinking patterns that result from perceptions of self, other, and future. Early experience -> Formation of dysfunctional assumptions -> Critical incident(s) -> Assumptions activated -> Negative automatic thoughts -> Symptoms of depression (behavioral, motivational, affective, somatic, and cognitive)