Group cognitive and contextual therapies in treatment of depression

Abstract

Depressed subjects (N = 31) were treated with three different group therapies: (a) complete cognitive therapy (CCT); (b) partial cognitive therapy (PCT); or (c) comprehensive distancing (CD). All three groups showed significant, but equivalent, reductions in depression over 12 weeks of treatment and 2-month follow-up. However, significant reductions in dysfunctional attitudes obtained for CCT and PCT were not found for CD, which suggests different underlying therapeutic processes. Comparisons with other studies noted no differences in the efficacy of CT as a function of treatment format, but a trend toward reduced effectiveness for group vs. individual CD. Suggestions for further research in CT and CD are presented.