[Focused Cognitive Therapy: A New Possibility for the Treatment of Depression]

In this literature review the new trends of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), namely behavioural activation and rumination-focused cognitive behavioural therapy are introduced as new methods for the treatment of major depression. Component-analytical studies of CBT showed that besides cognitive restructuring, behavioural components play an important role as active treatment factors. Behavioural activation and rumination-focused CBT emphasize these processes. The central idea of behavioural activation is that negative experiences in depression result in secondary avoidant behaviour. Clients participating in such therapy learn to recognize and change avoidant behaviour. Rumination-focused CBT target repetitive negative thoughts that are considered a transdiagnostic maladaptive phenomenon. These conceptual and methodological can contribute substantially to the effectiveness of CBT for major depression.