Videos Series: Essential Components of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Depression

The American Psychological Association’s (APA) Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Depression Video Series is a 5-part demonstration of theory-driven, empirically supported interventions. The series is designed for mental health professionals and is appropriate for both new and experienced clinicians. The tapes teach important clinical skills in a systematic, step-by-step manner, providing hands-on demonstrations and clear guidelines for replicating the skills shown in the demonstrations. Each video includes an instructional booklet intended to facilitate the use of the assessment or intervention method taught in the video. The booklet is formatted for easy reproduction and clinical use.

Each video in the series demonstrates a fundamental component of cognitive-behavior therapy for depression. These components are also used in cognitive-behavioral therapies for many other common psychiatric and medical disorders and problems, including anxiety disorders, substance abuse, chronic pain, eating disorders, and marital problems.

An important goal of the series is to teach empirically supported methods. Four of the tapes in the series teach central components of empirically supported cognitive-behavioral therapies for depression (Activity Scheduling, Using the Thought Record, Schema Change Methods, and Structure of the Therapy Session). The Individualized Case Formulation and Treatment Planning tape offers methods for adapting the standardized, empirically supported methods to an individual case in a systematic, empirically driven manner.