A Practical Guide to Working with Depression

A Practical Guide to Working with Depression: A cognitive behavioural approach for mental health workers provides mental health workers in all public, private and voluntary sectors with information on the nature of depression based on a number of theories from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is the predominant model used in public services at the moment. This guide aims to improve the awareness and skill level of workers using psychological therapies with their clients. Each section will provide learning outcomes linked to units from the level 3 Health and Social Care Diploma (formerly NVQ3) in the Qualifications and Credit Framework. The information in each chapter will act as pathway through depression from understanding the condition to working directly with it, to finally planning for recovery. The manual covers:•Communication and listening techniques to assess goals, client motivation levels and to encourage positive change•The causes and presentation of clinical depression and how to apply this knowledge•Techniques to help clients understand their depression•Beck’s triad of negative thoughts and how to recognise negative thought patterns•Understanding the links between thoughts, emotions, physiology and behaviour in depression•How to use ‘activity scheduling’ to develop behavioural plans to improve mood and reverse negative vicious cycles.