title: Advances in cognitive-behavioural therapy for unipolar depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the main innovations in our theoretical understanding of depression and key clinical developments in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). We outline the current status of CBT and discuss how it can respond to the public health problem of depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We undertook a narrative literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CBT provides a sophisticated, empirically grounded account of depression and an evidence-based therapeutic approach for people who suffer from depression. Beyond its efficacy in treating acute depression, it has prophylactic effects and is acceptable to various populations in a range of settings. Good theoretical accounts of the emergence of depression in adolescence are forthcoming; to date, however, attempts at primary prevention are unconvincing. Our understanding of factors contributing to positive outcomes is growing, allowing CBT to be tailored to individual client needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBT is a mainstay approach to depression. Significant remaining challenges include tailoring it to different populations and settings and, most importantly, ensuring that it is more readily accessible.
authors: Mood Disorders Centre, School of Psychology, Washington Singer Laboratories, University of Exeter, United Kingdom. w.kuyken@exeter.ac.uk
authors: Willem
authors: W
authors: Kuyken
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Dalgleish
authors: Emily R
authors: ER
authors: Holden
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans