The Synergistic Process of Improvement in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Major Depression

Anders Malkomsen, Jan Ivar Røssberg, Toril Dammen, Theresa Wilberg, André Løvgren and Julie Horgen Evensen
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Anders Malkomsen: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
Jan Ivar Røssberg: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
Toril Dammen: Department of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway
Theresa Wilberg: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
André Løvgren: Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
Julie Horgen Evensen: Nydalen Outpatient Clinic, 0424 Oslo, Norway

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-17

Abstract: Background: There is a substantial lack of qualitative research concerning individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In the present study, we wanted to explore how patients suffering from MDD experience improvement in CBT. Method: Patients with MDD ( N = 10) were interviewed at therapy termination with semi-structured qualitative interviews. The transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Results: We identified three elements that were relevant to the process of improvement for all patients: the therapeutic relationship, the therapeutic interventions and increased insight. There is a dynamic interrelationship and synergy between these elements that may explain why patients considered the same elements as helpful, but often in different ways and at different stages of therapy. Conclusions: Highlighting the synergies and interrelationship between the elements that patients experience as helpful, may help therapists to learn from and utilize these experiences. This is a reminder of the importance of always being attentive to the individual processes of patients.

Keywords: improvement; depression; cognitive behavioral therapy; patients’ perspective; qualitative study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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