Coping with the Seasons: A Cognitive Behavioral Approach to Seasonal Affective Disorder, Therapist Guide

by Kelly J Rohan

Overview

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects a significant number of individuals, with an even greater percentage of population suffering from a milder version of the "winter blues." Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has long been recognized as an effective treatment for depression and now there is evidence that CBT can also benefit those with SAD. The group program outlined in this therapist guide tailors CBT for depression to the special needs of the SAD population. It can be easily adapted for use in individual therapy, as well as be combined with light therapy. This therapist guide details twelve sessions to be completed over a six-week period. It gives step-by-step instruction for session activities and discussion. SAD-specific examples, sample dialogues, and diagrams help illustrate the points to be covered. Participants are provided with psychoeducation to further their understanding and awareness of SAD. They learn techniques to reduce symptoms, such as pleasant activity scheduling and cognitive restructuring. By increasing the amount of pleasant activities and changing thoughts and beliefs to be more adaptive, participants reverse the downward spiral of inactivity, negative thoughts and beliefs, and depressed mood. Relapse prevention helps participants maintain their gains and prepare for future winter seasons. With proven CBT techniques and a strong focus on SAD, this guide is a valuable addition to the clinician's toolbox. A chapter on group logistics and an appendix with fidelity checklists will assist clinicians in successfully implementing the program. Home practice is an important part of the program and the corresponding workbook includes forms for each session. TreatmentsThatWorkTM represents the gold standard of behavioral healthcare interventions!
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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190450885
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	09/15/2008
Series:	Treatments That Work
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Kelly J. Rohan is Associate Professor (clinical psychology cluster), Department of Psychology and Graduate Faculty member, University of Vermont, Burlington.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Christopher J Graver, PhD, ABPP-CN(Madigan Healthcare System)
Description: Living in the Pacific Northwest as I do, the long, rainy winters certainly bring to mind seasonal affective changes. The need for a therapist guide to treating seasonal affective disorder is real and the author delivers just such a manual. There also is a companion workbook that is sold separately to enhance this therapist guide.
Purpose: As part of the Treatments That Work series, this is a step-by-step guide for therapists treating seasonal affective disorder and is written from a cognitive behavioral perspective (CBT).
Audience: The book is targeted at mental health practitioners. The author is principal investigator on an NIH study looking at a unique CBT approach to seasonal affective disorder and is well qualified to write this book.
Features: It begins with an introduction to seasonal affective disorder and cognitive behavioral therapy in general. It then outlines the therapy program for seasonal affective disorder and provides information about the empirical support for this treatment. Other adjunctive treatments are also included in a brief discussion. The rest of the chapters are individually dedicated to walking the therapist through each session. It is easy to see at a glance the materials that will be needed at the beginning of each chapter. Also included in each chapter are an outline, agenda, homework review, specific topics to be covered, and new homework assignments. All of this is done within a group CBT framework. While novice therapists may wish more detail about each session, the overarching structure is certainly easy to follow. The end of the book contains checklists to be used at each session and the companion workbook will help readers searching for more hands-on materials.
Assessment: This is a well organized and easy to read introduction to CBT for seasonal affective disorders. Therapists of all levels familiar with CBT should have no difficulty implementing the skills in this book.

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