CBT for Depression – Learning Not to Believe Everything You Think

The CBT model focuses on the 3 targets of change – thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Thoughts are often the first place to intervene when we want to begin to explore ways to help us feel better. We know that negative thinking is the hallmark symptom of depression and that learning to notice and identify negative thoughts is the first step toward feeling better. Our emotional responses are directly related to our thinking, so if we can begin to become more aware of our thoughts we can change our emotional reactions. Our brains generate automatic thoughts all day long, for instance, your brain is doing it right now.

Thoughts can be a powerful way for us to make sense of ourselves, but most of the thoughts in our head are not helpful or accurate. The “stories” that our brains generate automatically are very powerful because we believe them without evaluating their accuracy or helpfulness. This can lead us to respond in ways that perpetuate more negative thinking. Learning to notice your thoughts and consider their helpfulness and accuracy is a critical part of CBT for depression.

Interested in learning more about CBT for depression?

Enjoy This excerpt from Monique Thompson’s new book Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression: Essential Strategies to Manage Negative Thoughts and Start Living Your Life

By Monique Thompson, PsyD|2021-01-20T00:55:36-08:00January 20th, 2021|Books|

About the Author: Monique Thompson, PsyD

Monique Thompson (PSY 25685) is a licensed clinical psychologist and partner at the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy. She is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Sciences Program at the University of California, Berkeley. She is a certified cognitive therapist and a Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. She has extensive training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). She treats depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, Adult ADHD, and challenging life transitions. Dr. Thompson has practiced in a variety of settings, including Kaiser Permanente, UC Berkeley and private practice. She was a staff psychologist at Golden Bear Mood and Sleep Research Center at UC Berkeley working on clinical trials to explore and enhance cognitive therapy techniques and treatments for teen insomnia. She has published research on interventions to improve CBT treatments for depression and teen insomnia. She co-authored the Teen Sleep Workbook with Dr. Michael Tompkins (New Harbinger, 2019). Her second book, CBT for Depression, Strategies for Managing Negative Thinking and Living Your Life (Rockridge, 2020) was released on November 3, 2020. Dr. Thompson received a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology. To schedule an appointment, call 510.652.4455 ext. 1. To learn more about Dr. Thompson, visit her profile here.