Treatment of Depression Using a Cognitive-Behavioral ApproachDepression is one of the most common mental illnesses that affect people in the United States on a daily basis. Aaron Beck, a pioneer of cognitive psychology, introduced a cognitive approach to understanding and treating depression. The cognitive approach suggests that people diagnosed with this disorder may benefit from treatment that works to eliminate negative thoughts and distorted perceptions. Although the cognitive model is effective in treating depression, the combination of behavioral and cognitive approach (cognitive behavioral therapy) has proven to be more effective in treating patients. Thus, cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most recognized and widely used therapies to successfully treat depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy is known to be short-term, goal-oriented, and educational. The average number of treatment sessions for depression is generally around fifteen sessions, however, more severe cases may require a longer period. It's common for therapists to ask their patients to write down the short- and long-term goals they want to achieve; This goal-setting approach allows the patient to realize that solutions exist. During the first session, it is important for the individual to recognize that depression is caused by faulty cognitions. By informing the individual about their condition, the therapist is able to make them aware of why they feel the way they do. Additionally, this approach places a strong emphasis on creating a positive and accommodating environment that supports the person receiving treatment. The ultimate goal is to end the patient's negative thoughts and balance those... middle of paper... their depression. The therapist used agenda setting techniques, cognitive reconstruction interventions, behavioral techniques, problem-solving strategies, and parent training. The 6-month treatment was found to be effective when the treatment results were realized; the boy was now able to manage stress effectively. Thus, cognitive behavioral therapy has proven its effectiveness in the treatment of depression in adolescents. It can be concluded that using the cognitive-behavioral approach to treating depression is effective in both the short and long term. There is substantial evidence to support the idea that CBT is the best therapy for treating depression compared to other psychological treatments. By transforming people's negative thoughts into more realistic cognitions, therapists using this approach can offer tactics to eliminate depressive symptoms...