Depression Therapy in NYC
If you’re aware of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy’s purpose, you know this modality aims to address negative thought patterns. This may mean depression is top-of-mind when thinking of mental health conditions that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can treat. There are many reasons CBT is an appropriate treatment for depression and other mood disorders. This article will explore some of the specific beliefs that CBT can be used to modify, as well as the principles of this modality that allow for success with managing symptoms of depression.
CBT for depression helps overcome cognitive distortions
Negative thought patterns (clinically referred to as cognitive distortions) are something we’ve all encountered from time to time. They may pop up in the form of doubt, feeling that some circumstances are too overwhelming, or struggling to find motivation for a certain task. Individuals with depression may have these concerns frequently, making it even more essential to manage negative beliefs and any difficulties they may cause. Let’s look at some cognitive distortions that may come along with depression.
Overgeneralization: This is especially common for people with anxiety and depression. When this pattern occurs along with hopelessness, sadness, or anxiety, it may look like an excessive focus on one negative event in a way that hurts your self-esteem. CBT allows someone to see that no setback should take away from their worth.
Catastrophizing: Similarly, individuals with depression may catastrophize, leading them to assume the worst. This can hinder progress toward goals and lead them to another distortion involving jumping to conclusions. CBT instead shifts someone’s focus from the worst case scenario to factual information in front of them.
All-or-nothing thinking: This type of belief prevents someone from seeing the nuances of life, as they often view situations in ‘one or the other’ terms, such as good-bad and happy-sad. Life is multi-faceted – with some good, some bad, and a whole lot of events falling ‘in between’. CBT teaches someone to accept the full spectrum of circumstances they encounter.
Mental filtering: Also known as minimizing, this type of belief prevents us from seeing the good and only focuses on the bad. CBT may teach someone to envision a pile of rocks that only lets “bad” light in and then imagine they are removing the rocks to let all the light in.
If someone has negative thoughts they cannot break, it can lead to emotional vulnerability that may make it difficult to get out of a depressive episode. Adjusting these thoughts is one way CBT can break the cycle of depression by teaching someone how to face life’s challenges.
CBT makes the future less fearful
Depression can make it difficult to look toward the future, let alone set goals for when that time comes. Talking about the future may also be incredibly overwhelming for someone with depression, especially when a big part of their recovery process may involve taking one day at a time. However, setting goals is a natural next step once individuals are better able to handle the here and now. Once someone understands what is holding them back presently (whether it be negative thinking, a lack of support, or something else), people can better express what they want their future to look like. You and your therapist can decide on big goals, then break them into small and manageable steps. This clears the fog, enabling you to gradually work toward the bigger picture – no matter what you envision it looking like.
Depression therapy with CBT kickstarts brain changes
CBT rewires the brain to think more positively in an effort to overcome depression. This concept is called neuroplasticity, which can be useful for individuals at all points across the lifespan. In order for neuroplasticity to work, the brain needs consistency. That’s why sayings such as ‘practice makes perfect’ and reminders about consistency are important for any type of therapy. Because the brain needs practice to turn early skills into mastered skills and mastered skills into habits. Therapists get you on the right track by creating a plan and recommending activities that encourage the healing process. Each of these aspects reinforces positive ways of thinking and allows for lasting neurological changes.
CBT is proven effective for most types of depression
Research shows that CBT can benefit individuals with mild, moderate, or severe depression. Experts typically recommend pairing CBT (and other forms of talk therapy) with medication for the best outcomes, though studies suggest that CBT is nearly as effective on its own. This evidence is powerful, showing that CBT can offer tried-and-true results for any type of depression.
CBT can be done in groups for those who want to practice social skills
Depending on the person and their experience, depression can impact social skills. Therapists often recommend group therapy for such individuals, as interacting with peers who have shared difficulties can help accelerate the treatment process. This allows individuals to feel supported by others while continuing to address their problems in a safe space. However, there’s no need for someone to choose between CBT and group therapy, as mental health professionals can combine this modality into various therapy formats. Group therapy using CBT is a good fit for individuals with depression who are prepared to take (or have already taken) an active role in their care. This type of therapy is also suitable for people who have enjoyed socializing in the past.
One study showed that cognitive-based group therapy improved levels of optimism and increased self-esteem in its participants. Other research suggests this type of therapy may be particularly helpful for teenagers with depression. In fact, a large-scale review found that group CBT therapy for adolescents resulted in improved self-awareness, greater social support, and fewer symptoms of depression. This review also noted that the presence of peers served as an important source of feedback, allowing adolescents to notice and practice new skills (especially social and relational skills) on their own.
As you can see, there are many reasons why CBT is an ideal depression therapy. If you are interested in adopting a positive mindset as part of your wellness toolbox, learn more about us here, and reach out to Eastside CBT to learn more.
References:
Wang, B., Zhao, Y., Lu, X., & Qin, B. (2023). Cognitive distortion based explainable depression detection and analysis technologies for the adolescent internet users on social media. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1045777. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1045777
Persons, J.B., Marker, C.D., & Bailey, E.N. (2023). Changes in affective and cognitive distortion symptoms of depression are reciprocally related during cognitive behavior therapy. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2023.104338.
Mayo Clinic. (2025). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610#
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