Effectiveness and moderators of individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) versus Treatment As Usual (TAU) in clinically depressed adolescents
Depression in adolescents is a vast societal problem because of the prevalence, the burden of the illness, the chronicity, and the high number of suicides. Therefore, an effective intervention for clinical depression seems essential. International studies have shown that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is effective.
Recently a RCT was conducted in which individual CBT (“Doepressie”) was compared to care as usual. In total, 100 adolescents (12 to 21 years old) were included and 4 assessments were conducted (pre, post, 6 months and 1 year follow-up). Assessments consisted of questionnaires and diagnostic interviews with the parent, the adolescent and the therapist. Aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of “Doepressie” a CBT program for adolescents diagnosed with depression.