A randomised controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy versus cognitive psychodynamic therapy for depression.

This article reports on a randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive psychodynamic therapy (CPT), an integrative approach combining cognitive and psychodynamic principles, with traditional cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for treating depression. Thirty-nine clients meeting DSM-V criteria for depression were randomly assigned to either CPT or CBT, with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9) used as the primary outcome measure. Both therapies produced significant and equivalent reductions in depression severity, with no differences found across face-to-face, online, or mixed delivery modes. The study suggests that CPT may be particularly beneficial for clients whose depression is rooted in early developmental experiences, offering a theoretically grounded integrative framework accessible to trainee counselling psychologists. Limitations include a small sample size and potential overlap in therapists' familiarity with both approaches, indicating the need for further research with larger cohorts.