Group Therapy Manual for Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Depression

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the two manual-based forms of short-term psychotherapy that have been recognized as effective by the AHRQ guidelines panel. CBT requires between 8 and 12 sessions and can be done either individually or in groups, with groups being the preferred mode of therapy. CBT is highly active and participatory: It focuses on empowering and activating patients and on reinforcing behaviors that will counteract depression, through, for example, patient homework assignments. This manual is intended to guide patients participating in group CBT. The manual was developed at the Depression Clinic at San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco. Partners in Care (PIC) is an integrated approach to improving care for depression in primary care. Its two quality improvement programs — one focusing on medication, the other on psychotherapy — are appropriate for socioeconomically and ethnically diverse populations.