Coping With Chronic Illness

editor-in-chief

David H. Barlow, PhD

scientific
advisory board

Anne Marie Albano, PhD

Gillian Butler, PhD

David M. Clark, PhD

Edna B. Foa, PhD

Paul J. Frick, PhD

Jack M. Gorman, MD

Kirk Heilbrun, PhD

Robert J. McMahon, PhD

Peter E. Nathan, PhD

Christine Maguth Nezu, PhD

Matthew K. Nock, PhD

Paul Salkovskis, PhD

Bonnie Spring, PhD

Gail Steketee, PhD

John R. Weisz, PhD

G. Terence Wilson, PhD

Coping With
Chronic Illness
A COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY APPROACH
FOR ADHERENCE AND DEPRESSION

T h e r a p i s t G u i d e

Steven A. Safren • Jeffrey S. Gonzalez • Nafisseh Soroudi

1
2008
1
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About TreatmentsThatWork ™

Stunning developments in health care have taken place over the past sev-
eral years, but many of our widely accepted interventions and strategies
in mental health and behavioral medicine have been brought into ques-
tion by research evidence as not only lacking benefit but perhaps induc-
ing harm. Other strategies have been proven effective using the best cur-
rent standards of evidence, resulting in broad-based recommendations to
make these practices more available to the public. Several recent develop-
ments are behind this revolution. First, we have arrived at a much deeper
understanding of pathology, both psychological and physical, which has
led to the development of new, more precisely targeted interventions.
Second, our research methodologies have improved substantially, such
that we have reduced threats to internal and external validity, making the
outcomes more directly applicable to clinical situations. Third, govern-
ments around the world and health care systems and policy makers have
decided that the quality of care should improve, that it should be evi-
dence based, and that it is in the public’s interest to ensure that this hap-
pens (Barlow, 2004; Institute of Medicine, 2001).

Of course, the major stumbling block for clinicians everywhere is the ac-
cessibility of newly developed evidence-based psychological interventions.
Workshops and books can go only so far in acquainting responsible and
conscientious practitioners with the latest behavioral health care prac-
tices and their applicability to individual patients. This new series, Treat-
mentsThatWork™, is devoted to communicating these exciting new in-
terventions to clinicians on the frontlines of practice.

The manuals and workbooks in this series contain step-by-step detailed

procedures for assessing and treating specific problems and diagnoses. But
this series also goes beyond the books and manuals by providing ancillary
 materials that will approximate the supervisory process in assisting practi-
tioners in the implementation of these procedures in their practice.

In our emerging health care system, the growing consensus is that evidence-
based practice offers the most responsible course of action for the men-
tal health professional. All behavioral health care clinicians deeply desire
to provide the best possible care for their patients. In this series, our aim
is to close the dissemination and information gap and make that possible.

This therapist guide and the companion workbook for clients describe a
cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT ) that targets both depression and
adherence in individuals living with chronic illnesses who are also de-
pressed. Depression is common among individuals with chronic medical
conditions and can significantly impair their ability to manage their ill-
nesses. Depressed individuals tend to practice poor self-care behaviors,
which may include forgetting to take their medication as directed (or
not taking it all), missing medical appointments, and neglecting to ex-
ercise and eat healthfully. Increasing engagement in these sorts of be-
haviors is the focus of this modular program. The treatment is based on
standard interventions used in CBT for depression but chosen and
adapted for persons with chronic illness, with the specific emphasis on
self-care behaviors and medical adherence. Clients will learn core skills
such as problem solving and cognitive restructuring in order to help
them take better care of themselves. They will also learn relaxation and
breathing techniques to help them cope with symptoms and side effects.
Complete with step-by-step instructions for delivering this unique in-
tervention, this book is sure to become an invaluable resource for men-
tal health professionals and their chronically ill clients.
David H. Barlow, Editor-in-Chief,
TreatmentsThatWork™
Boston, Massachusetts

References

Barlow, D. H. (2004). Psychological treatments. American Psychologist, 59,

869–878.
Institute of Medicine. (2001). Crossing the quality chasm: A new health system
for the 21st century. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

vi
Contents

List of Figures and Worksheets ix

Chapter 1 Introductory Information for Therapists 1

Chapter 2 Overview of Adherence Behaviors for Selected

Illnesses 19

Chapter 3 Module 1: Psychoeducation About CBT and

Motivational Interviewing 39

Chapter 4 Module 2: Adherence Training (Life-Steps) 57

Chapter 5 Module 3: Activity Scheduling 83

Chapter 6 Module 4: Cognitive Restructuring (Adaptive

Thinking) 93

Chapter 7 Module 5: Problem Solving 117

Chapter 8 Module 6: Relaxation Training and Diaphragmatic

Breathing 127

Chapter 9 Module 7: Review, Maintenance, and Relapse

Prevention 135

References 145

About the Authors 157

This page intentionally left blank
Figures and Worksheets

Cognitive-Behavioral Model of Depression and Adherence 14

Weekly Adherence Assessment Form 42

Cognitive-Behavioral Model of Depression 45

Example of Completed Motivational Exercise 50

Progress Summary Chart 53

Example of Completed Progress Summary Chart 54

Homework Rating Chart 55

Steps for Conducting Adherence Intervention 58

Example of Completed List of Adherence Goals for

Patient With Diabetes 66

Example of Completed List of Adherence Goals for

HIV-Infected Patient 67

Example of Completed Medical Regimen Schedule 75

Improvement Graph 79

Positive Events Checklist 88

Example of Completed Activity Log 90

Example of Completed Thought Record Up to Cognitive Distortions

Column 103

Example of Completed Thought Record 114

Example of Completed Problem-Solving Sheet

(“I do not exercise enough”) 121

ix
 Example of Completed Problem-Solving Sheet
(“I never get the information I need from my doctor”) 122

Treatment Strategies and Usefulness Chart 139

Example of Completed Symptoms and Skills Chart 143

x
Chapter 1 Introductory Information for Therapists

Background Information and Purpose of This Program

This treatment manual and the accompanying client workbook describe

a cognitive-behavioral treatment that targets both depression and ad-
herence in individuals living with both a chronic illness and depression.
For the purposes of this guide, we will refer to the treatment program as
CBT-AD (cognitive-behavioral therapy for adherence and depression).

Depression is prevalent among individuals with chronic medical condi-

tions and can significantly impair their ability to manage their illness.
Patients with both a chronic medical condition and depression experience
greater distress and worse medical outcomes (including mortality) than
do those with a medical condition who do not have depression. Although
there is some emerging evidence that depression can impact illness directly
through associated biochemical changes, one of the reasons for worse
medical outcomes in individuals with depression is that depression may
contribute to poor self-care behaviors, including medical nonadherence.

Individuals with chronic illness and depression represent a complex popu-

lation with heterogeneous individual needs. To address those needs, this
manual is designed in a modular format. Each module of treatment is
based on standard interventions used in cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT ) for depression but chosen and adapted for persons with chronic
illness, with an emphasis on self-care behaviors and medical adherence.
Because of the complexity of managing a medical illness comorbid with
depression and simultaneously increasing adherence, therapist flexibility
is key. For example, therapist flexibility may be necessary in regard to the
delivery of specific modules based on individual need, as well as the se-
quencing of the modules (though we recommend that the psychoedu-

1
 cation module come first). It is also likely that the number of sessions
per module will vary according to the clinical presentation and needs of
the client. Additionally, individuals with a chronic illness and depression
frequently experience multiple significant life stressors. Therapist flexi-
bility is necessary to balance the need to set and adhere to an agenda in
order to teach the coping skills described in this manual with the need
to provide necessary psychosocial support to clients when stressful life
events occur.

Problem Focus: Depression and Adherence in Chronic Illness

Mental health professionals who treat depression are likely to encounter

clients who have comorbid chronic medical conditions. Some data sug-
gest that up to 30% of individuals with a medical condition experience
depression and that depression is the most common condition that co-
occurs with a medical illness. Research in various illnesses, including
HIV (e.g., Dew et al., 1997; Rabkin, 1996), diabetes (e.g., Anderson,
Freedland, Clouse, & Lustman, 2001; Egede, Zheng, & Simpson,
2002), heart disease (e.g., Januzzi, Stern, Pasternak, & DeSantis, 2000;
Frasure-Smith, Lesperance, & Talajic, 1995b), cancer (e.g., Spiegel &
Giese-Davis, 2003; Pirl & Roth, 1999), stroke (e.g., Morris, Robinson,
Andrzejewski, Samuels, & Price, 1993), and life-threatening illness in
general (Silverstone, 1990), shows higher prevalence rates of depression.
Rates of depression in patients with comorbid medical illnesses increase
2–5% in community settings, 5–10% in primary care, and 6–14% or
greater in patients with comorbid medical illness (Katon & Ciechanow-
ski, 2002; Wells et al., 1991; Katon & Sullivan, 1990).

Why Do Depression and Chronic Medical Illness Overlap?

There are many potential reasons for the overlap between depression and
chronic illness. Living with a chronic illness can be stressful and can
limit one’s involvement in pleasurable activities. Physical symptoms
such as fatigue can impair one’s ability to maintain one’s usual activities
and can cause losses in functioning. Adjusting to an illness that has wax-
ing and waning symptoms can also be upsetting. Finally, cognitive as-

2
 pects may include perceptions of loss of control or altered goals in life.
These factors together can result in distress and/or depression.

In some cases, the relationship between depression and chronic illness

may even be cyclical. In diabetes, for example, depressive symptoms
such as reduced energy, lower motivation, and difficulties with problem
solving negatively impact self-treatment and can lead to hyperglycemia
or high blood sugar. In turn, hyperglycemia and the threat of complica-
tions can lead to hopelessness, self-blame, and helplessness. In HIV, de-
pression can lead to worse immune functioning, both through worse
treatment adherence and possibly through reduced levels of the hor-
mone cortisol. This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands and
helps regulate blood pressure and cardiovascular function, as well as the
body’s use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats (Antoni et al., 2005).
Having worse immune functioning leaves one at risk for various infec-
tions, causing symptoms and impairment, and consequently leading
back to increased depression. Thus clients with chronic illness and de-
pression may experience a vicious cycle of increasing depression and
worsening illness and may require interventions aimed at both decreas-
ing depression and improving self-care.

Depression Comorbid With a Chronic Illness Is Costly and Impairing

Depression is quite costly in the context of chronic medical conditions.

In diabetes, for example, patients with depression fill nearly twice as
many prescriptions, make twice as many ambulatory care visits, and
have total health care expenditures 4.5 times greater than patients with
diabetes and no depression (Egede et al., 2002). Rates of functional dis-
ability are considerably higher in individuals with comorbid depression
and diabetes (77.8%) when compared with individuals with depression
without diabetes (51.3%), with diabetes without depression (58.1%), or
with neither depression nor diabetes (24.5%; Egede, 2004). In diabetes,
depression results in significant functional impairments, reductions in
quality of life, and increased disabilities (Bruce, Davis, & Davis, 2005;
Goldney, Phillips, Fisher, & Wilson, 2004) and more than doubles the
risk for mortality (Katon et al., 2005).

3
 Depression is associated with increased mortality rates, both in the con-
text of chronic illness and in community samples (e.g., Cuijpers &
Schoevers, 2004). Decreased adherence to treatment has been proposed
as one of the likely mechanisms through which depression confers an
impact on mortality outcomes in the context of chronic illness.

Depression Affects Adherence to Medical and Self-Care Behaviors

Individuals with depression are three times more likely than nondepressed
individuals to be nonadherent with medical treatment recommenda-
tions (DiMatteo, Lepper, & Croghan, 2000). A strong body of evidence
supports the association between depression and treatment nonadher-
ence in chronic illness populations, including individuals who are post-
myocardial infarction (Ziegelstein et al., 2000) and in cancer patients in
chemotherapy (Valente, Saunders, & Cohen, 1994). Studies from our
group (Gonzalez et al., 2004; Safren et al., 2001) and others (e.g., Singh
et al., 1996; Simoni, Frick, Lockhart, & Liebovitz, 2002) demonstrate
that, in HIV, higher levels of depression are associated with worse ad-
herence to HIV medications. These findings suggest a robust relation-
ship between depression and poor adherence and point to the need for
interventions to enhance adherence in individuals with depression and
physical illness.

Depression May Be Hidden in Individuals With Chronic Illness

Depression goes undetected and likely untreated by the health care sys-
tem in nearly half of comorbid patients. For example, among diabetic
patients correctly recognized as depressed, 43% received one or more
antidepressant prescriptions and less than 7% received four or more
psychotherapy sessions during a 12-month period (Katon et al., 2004).
Rodin, Nolan, and Katz (2005) suggest several possible reasons for the
underdiagnosis and undertreatment of depression in the medical sys-
tem, including the overlap of symptoms of depression and medical
symptoms and the difficulty of differentiating sadness as a natural re-
sponse to a serious diagnosis from clinical depression. However, depres-
sion in the context of medical illness is treatable—both with medi-

4
 cations and with CBT. The present manual describes a CBT approach
that involves treating depression and teaching skills to improve medical
adherence.

Different Types of Depression: Diagnostic Criteria

In the following tables we list the criteria from the Diagnostic and Sta-
tistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric
Association, 2000) for the most common types of depression, including
major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder, which has features of
mania and depression. This treatment manual is mainly designed for in-
dividuals with unipolar depression. However, in our studies we included
individuals with bipolar disorder who were currently depressed and who
had not recently experienced a manic or hypomanic episode. We believe
that this manual would be appropriate for those with bipolar depression
if they were currently depressed. The presence of mania would necessi-
tate other interventions to stabilize mood, which are not focused on in
this manual. Also, although we have designed this treatment manual for
use with clients who have symptoms of depression that are severe
enough to warrant a clinical diagnosis, there is evidence that lower lev-
els of depressive symptoms also negatively impact self-care and medica-
tion adherence (e.g., Gonzalez et al., in press), and it is likely that the
strategies that we present in this manual could be modified for use with
patients who have some symptoms of depression, even if they do not
meet criteria for a formal diagnosis.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is characterized by single or recurrent depres-

sive episodes in the absence of manic or hypomanic symptoms. The spe-
cific criteria from the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000, p. 356) follow.

A. The person experiences a single major depressive episode:

1. For a major depressive episode a person must have experi-
enced at least five of the following nine symptoms during the
same 2-week period or longer, for most of the time almost

5
 every day, and this must represent a change from his or her
prior level of functioning. One of the symptoms must be
either (a) depressed mood or (b) loss of interest.
a. Depressed mood. For children and adolescents, this may
be irritable mood.
b. A significantly reduced level of interest or pleasure in
most or all activities.
c. A considerable loss or gain of weight (e.g., 5% or more
change in weight in a month when not dieting). This
may include an increase or decrease in appetite. Children
may fail to show expected gains in weight.
d. Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia) or sleeping
more than usual (hypersomnia).
e. Behavior that is agitated or slowed down, which is ob-
servable by others.
f. Feeling fatigued or having diminished energy.
g. Thoughts of worthlessness or extreme guilt (though not
about being ill).
h. Reduced ability to think, concentrate, or make decisions.
i. Frequent thoughts of death or suicide (with or without a
specific plan), or attempt at suicide.
2. The person’s symptoms do not indicate a mixed episode.
3. The person’s symptoms are a cause of great distress or diffi-
culty in functioning at home, work, or other important areas.
4. The person’s symptoms are not caused by substance use (e.g.,
alcohol, drugs, medication) or a medical disorder.
5. The person’s symptoms are not due to normal grief or be-
reavement over the death of a loved one, they continue for
more than 2 months, or they include great difficulty in func-
tioning, frequent thoughts of worthlessness, thoughts of sui-
cide, symptoms that are psychotic, or behavior that is slowed
down (psychomotor retardation).

B. Another disorder does not better explain the major depressive

episode.

C. The person has never had a manic, mixed, or a hypomanic epi-

sode (unless an episode was due to a medical disorder or use of a
substance).

6
Dysthymic Disorder

Dysthymic disorder is characterized by chronic, persistent low-level de-

pressive symptoms over a longer period of time. The specific criteria
from the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000, pp. 380–381) are listed here.

A. A person has depressed mood for most the time almost every day
for at least 2 years. Children and adolescents may have irritable
mood, and the time frame is at least 1 year.

B. While depressed, a person experiences at least two of the following

symptoms:
1. Either overeating or lack of appetite.
2. Sleeping too much or having difficulty sleeping.
3. Fatigue or lack of energy.
4. Poor self-esteem.
5. Difficulty with concentration or decision making.
6. Feeling hopeless.

C. A person has not been free of the symptoms during the 2-year
time period (1 year for children and adolescents) for more than 2
months at a time.

D. During the 2-year time period (1 year for children and adoles-
cents) there has not been a major depressive episode.

E. A person has not had a manic, mixed, or hypomanic episode.

F. The symptoms are not present only during the course of another
chronic disorder.

G. A medical condition or the use of substances (i.e., alcohol, drugs,

medication, toxins) does not cause the symptoms.

H. The person’s symptoms are a cause of great distress or difficulty in

functioning at home, work, or other important areas.

Bipolar Spectrum Disorders

The bipolar spectrum mood disorders (i.e., bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclo-
thymia) are differentiated from unipolar depressive disorders in that in-

7
 dividuals also experience hypomanic or manic episodes. The word bipolar
is used because individuals experience two emotional extremes—
depressed mood at times and at other times excessive euphoria. Individ-
uals with bipolar I experience full manic episodes; those with bipolar II
experience hypomanic episodes—episodes that are not as severe as manic
episodes; and those with cyclothymia experience a mix of low-level de-
pressive episodes and hypomanic episodes. Again, we believe this man-
ual is relevant for individuals with bipolar disorder only if they are not
currently experiencing manic or hypomanic episodes and if this aspect
of their disorder is stabilized.

Development of This Treatment Program and Evidence Base

The empirical basis of this approach comes from several sources. First,
there are many treatment studies for depression in nonmedical popula-
tions that demonstrate the efficacy of CBT. Second, there are emerging
studies of CBT approaches for depression in the context of medical con-
ditions, and these studies have demonstrated evidence for the efficacy of
CBT in these patients, particularly those with HIV or diabetes. Third,
the empirical base is supported by our research on a cognitive-behavioral
adherence intervention (now module 2 in this manual), which was
shown to successfully improve medication adherence in patients with
HIV. Finally, we have completed one randomized controlled trial and
two open-phase case-series studies of the specific intervention described
in this manual, targeting individuals with HIV and depression. At the
time of writing, we are conducting ongoing evaluations of this approach
in HIV and diabetes in two separate randomized controlled trials spon-
sored by the National Institutes of Health.

Studies of CBT for Depression

Over 30 years of research has consistently validated CBT as an effica-

cious treatment for depression, with many studies showing effects simi-
lar to or greater than those for medications (see Dobson, 1989; Robin-
son, Berman, & Neimeyer, 1990, for reviews and meta-analyses). CBT
has also been shown to have additive effects for residual symptoms of de-

8
 pression not fully treated by antidepressants (see Deckersbach, Berman,
& Neimeyer, 2000; Otto, Pava, & Sprich-Buckminster, 1996).

CBT for depression also generally shows lower relapse rates than phar-
macotherapy (Blackburn, Eunson, & Bishop, 1986; McLean & Haks-
tian, 1990; Simons, Murphy, Levine, & Wetzel, 1986), and the protection
against relapse for clients treated with CBT extends to those who began
with pharmacotherapy alone (Evans et al., 1992; Fava et al., 1995; Fava et
al., 1996; Fava, Rafanelli, Grandi, Canestrari, & Morphy, 1998; Paykel et
al., 1999; Simons et al., 1986; Teasdale et al., 2000). Fava, Rafanelli,
Grandi, Conti, and Belluardo (1998), for example, compared CBT with
clinical management alone in clients with chronic depression (three or
more episodes) who were being treated with antidepressants. Eighty per-
cent of those with clinical management of medications alone relapsed
over the 2-year assessment period, compared with only 25% of those
who received CBT and clinical management of medications.

CBT for Depression in Medical Illnesses That Require High Levels of Adherence

The approach described in the subsequent chapters of this manual inte-

grates CBT for depression with adherence enhancement approaches. Oth-
ers, however, have studied cognitive-behavioral therapy and cognitive-
behavioral stress management for depression in the context of medical
illness but did not specifically address adherence in the intervention. We
recently reviewed this literature on HIV, focusing on randomized con-
trolled trials (Olatunji, Mimiaga, O’Clereigh, & Safren, 2006), and
found four studies that targeted depression directly and five studies that
targeted distress and stress management. Accordingly, as shown in stud-
ies of CBT for depression in samples of individuals without medical
illness, CBT for depression in HIV appears to be a useful, efficacious
approach.

We also reviewed this literature on diabetes, another disease requiring

high levels of adherence. Lustman, Griffith, Freedland, Kissel, and Clouse
(1998) conducted a randomized controlled trial of CBT among 51 type
2 diabetics with major depression. In this study, all patients participated
in a diabetes education program throughout the trial, but the CBT in-
tervention did not specifically address diabetes self-care. Patients who

9
 were randomly assigned to receive CBT were compared with patients
who only received education. Results showed that CBT did effectively
reduce depression symptoms and that 85% of the treatment group
reached depression remission on completion of the trial compared with
27% of controls (p < .001). At the 6-month follow-up, the remission
rates for CBT and control participants were 33% and 70%, respectively
(p ⫽ .03). Others have successfully applied CBT for depression to indi-
viduals with diabetes using a stepped-care approach whereby patients
had increasing levels of intervention as needed (e.g., Katon et al., 2004;
Williams et al., 2004).

Life-Steps: A Single-Session Adherence Intervention

The idea behind CBT-AD also stemmed from our previous randomized
controlled trial of a “minimal” adherence intervention—a single-session
adherence intervention that did not specifically address comorbid de-
pression. This intervention targets a series of informational, problem-
solving, and cognitive-behavioral steps needed to successfully adhere to
HIV medications. The description of the intervention, presented in
chapter 4, is also available as an article in the journal Cognitive and Be-
havioral Practice (Safren, Otto, & Worth, 1999). The results of the ran-
domized controlled trial are described in detail by Safren et al. (2001).

At baseline (before delivering the intervention), we examined several

correlates of adherence, which included depression, self-efficacy, pun-
ishment beliefs about HIV and HIV medications, and social support.
All were significant at the bivariate level. When examining the unique
variance for predictors of adherence, however, depression emerged as the
only statistically significant predictor.

We then randomly assigned clients with adherence problems to either

receive or not receive the adherence intervention. Participants in the ran-
domized study were the 49 men and 7 women from the original sample
who reported that they had not taken all of their prescribed HIV anti-
retrovirals in the preceding 2 weeks. The main outcome variable was self-
report medication adherence scores for the preceding 2 weeks. After 2
weeks, those who received the intervention displayed statistically signifi-
cantly greater changes in adherence scores from baseline to week 2, as

10
 compared with those who did not receive the intervention. Accordingly,
at the 12-week follow-up, there was a statistically significant improve-
ment in adherence from week 0 to week 12. There was no significant main
effect, however, for condition, and the interaction of time and condition
across groups was not significant.

These results generally suggest the potential utility of a brief adherence

intervention. However, baseline depression in this sample was high, and
depression interacted with intervention outcome. This led us to consider
integrating CBT for depression with this intervention for adherence.

Specific Studies of CBT-AD in HIV Treatment

The full intervention described in this manual, cognitive behavioral

therapy for adherence and depression (CBT-AD), has been studied in
the context of one open-phase case-series study and one open-phase trial
of individuals with HIV and depression who did not report active sub-
stance abuse. The randomized trial was funded by the National Institute
of Mental Health (Grant No. MH066660). It is also being tested in an
ongoing study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Grant
No. DA018603), targeting individuals who are HIV-infected and receiv-
ing methadone maintenance. This project includes a completed case-
series study and an ongoing randomized controlled trial.

Our first case series targeted men with HIV who were infected through
sex with another man. Participants were five men, including an African
American male in his mid-40s who was on disability, a white male in his
early 30s who worked full time, a white male in his late 40s who was on
disability, an African American male in his late 40s who worked part
time and was on disability, and a white male in his early 50s with a rela-
tively high socioeconomic status who worked full time. At baseline, all
participants met criteria for major depressive disorder despite stable
treatment with an antidepressant, and all reported problems adhering to
their HIV medications. During the course of treatment, adherence to
antiretroviral medications, as assessed by electronic pill cap ratings, in-
creased, and depression, as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory
(BDI; Beck, Ward, Mendelson, Mock, & Erbaugh, 1961) decreased. One
individual discontinued participation in treatment after four sessions

11
 but agreed to complete the posttreatment assessment. According to the
Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, only one of the five individ-
uals presented still met current DSM-IV criteria for a major depressive
episode at the end of the treatment. This individual, however, had a rela-
tively low clinical global impression score (CGI; a 1–7 scale of depres-
sion severity; National Institute of Mental Health, 1985) for depression
(3 ⫽ mildly ill) at posttreatment and a clinically significantly higher one
at pretreatment (5 ⫽ markedly ill). All individuals made clinically sig-
nificant improvements as evident by a drop in at least 2 CGI points from
pretreatment to posttreatment.

Our first randomized controlled trial of CBT-AD is also now complete

(Safren et al., 2006). In this study, patients with HIV and depression
(major depression or bipolar with depression and no recent manic epi-
sode) were randomly assigned to either the full CBT-AD for HIV medi-
cation adherence and depression or to the single-session intervention
for HIV medication adherence referred to earlier (module 1 of this man-
ual; Safren et al., 1999; Safren et al., 2001). In both conditions, a letter
was sent to the patients’ primary care physicians describing their symp-
toms of depression and other psychiatric diagnoses in case the physicians
wished to make additional referrals or make changes to prescribed psychi-
atric medications. This was a crossover design in that individuals assigned
to the adherence intervention could cross over to the full CBT-AD in-
tervention if they desired after the first outcome assessment. Participants
were also seen for two follow-up assessments—at 3 months after com-
pletion of the intervention (approximately 6 months from randomiza-
tion) and 12 months postrandomization. The primary adherence outcome
was based on data from an electronic pill cap that indicated whether pa-
tients had opened their pill bottles at the appropriate times over the pre-
vious 2 weeks. The primary depression outcomes were Hamilton De-
pression Scale scores, as assessed by an independent assessor who was
blind to treatment assignment, and the corresponding clinical global im-
pression rating. Participants also completed the BDI.

Forty-two individuals (of the 45 that were randomized) completed the

pre- and posttreatment assessments. Unlike those in many studies of CBT
for depression, this sample evidenced significant psychiatric comorbidity.
Of our 42 completers, 64% (n ⫽ 27) had at least one additional DSM di-
agnosis, and 38% (n ⫽ 16) had two additional DSM diagnoses.

12
 Those who were assigned the full CBT-AD intervention showed signif-
icantly greater improvements in adherence and depression than the
comparison condition at the posttreatment assessment, with large effect
sizes. At the 3-month follow-up, individuals who received CBT-AD
maintained their gains, and those who crossed over to CBT-AD also sig-
nificantly improved from baseline. This pattern of results occurred for
depression, as rated by an independent assessor who was blind to treat-
ment assignment and in self-reported symptoms measured by the BDI.
The adherence outcome was percent adherence within a 2-hour window
of target time using the electronic pill caps.

Currently we are testing the applicability of this intervention in an even

more complex population—individuals with HIV and depression who
are receiving methadone maintenance for opioid dependence. We have
completed an open-phase trial and have a full-scale efficacy study under
way. The open trial included five HIV-infected individuals (four
women, one man) receiving methadone treatment for heroin depend-
ence (Soroudi et al., in press). This open-phase trial also revealed clini-
cally significant improvements in adherence and depression. These were
evidenced as both gradual improvements in depression, as measured by
weekly self-report inventories (BDI), and gradual improvements in ad-
herence, as measured by the electronic pill caps and pre- and postclinical
assessments.

Finally, we are currently testing the intervention in individuals with type

2 diabetes and depression in a two-arm randomized controlled trial. We
hypothesize that participants who receive the CBT-AD intervention will
show greater improvements in both depression and diabetes self-care be-
haviors as compared with controls, and we expect that these changes will
result in better control of diabetes.

Conceptual Basis of CBT-AD

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adherence and depression is based on

the model depicted in figure 1.1. Accordingly, symptoms of depression
(e.g., low concentration, loss of interest, suicidality) and associated
problems (e.g., difficulty with problem solving, low motivation) can in-
terfere with the behaviors needed to adhere to a medical regimen. In the

13
 Reduced depression
Potential mediators and
moderators:
Intervention • Motivation and use of • Adherence
Health
— CBT skills and self-care
outcomes
CBT-AD • Social support and coping behaviors
• Illness and medication
beliefs
• Provider relationship

Figure 1.1.
Cognitive-Behavioral Model of Depression and Adherence

context of chronic illness, illness symptoms can also contribute to symp-

toms of depression, and vice versa. Hence, our model posits that by
treating depression with a skills-based psychosocial approach, we can
help individuals adhere to their medical regimens and therefore have im-
proved psychosocial and medical outcomes.

Risks and Benefits of This Treatment Program

As this is a psychosocial behavioral treatment, there are no known med-

ical risks in participating in this program. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
is a directive, skills-based treatment. There is always the risk that it will
not work. In this case, clients may feel sad, upset, or even hopeless about
their continued symptoms of depression. Therapists are encouraged to
discuss this risk with clients and plan for exploring reasons for potential
treatment nonresponse. As with any treatment of depression, therapists
should also actively monitor suicidality and be prepared to refer for ad-
ditional, more intensive treatment (e.g., partial inpatient or inpatient,
psychopharmacological consultation, augmentation, or change) when
needed.

There are many potential benefits to the treatment program. Depression

is a distressing, disabling, and interfering condition. In and of itself, de-
pression can significantly impact one’s overall quality of life. This treat-
ment program targets both depression and adherence to one’s health
regimen. Specific symptoms of depression (poor concentration, loss of

14
 interest) or associated symptoms (low motivation, poor problem solving)
can certainly interfere with one’s ability to adhere to a regimen of treat-
ment for a chronic illness. In HIV, adherence to medications is critical
for treatment success. In diabetes, adherence to glucose monitoring, in-
sulin, and medications can prevent further complications and morbid-
ity. Many other medical illnesses require strict adherence to the regi-
mens, and the approach used in this manual may be applicable to a wide
range of self-care regimens, particularly when the chronic illness is co-
morbid with depression.

Alternative Treatments

As far as we know, CBT-AD as described in this manual is the only

psychosocial intervention that integrates the treatment of depression
with a psychosocial approach to increasing adherence. An alternative
psychosocial treatment for depression which has been demonstrated as
efficacious is interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT; Weissman, 2005). Also,
antidepressant medications have been validated as treatments for de-
pression. These alternatives should be discussed with clients.

The Role of Medications

There are a variety of psychopharmacological agents available for the

treatment of depression, with efficacy demonstrated in many random-
ized controlled trials (see Sadock & Sadock, 2003). CBT-AD, as de-
scribed in this manual and as tested empirically, is designed to treat de-
pression, either in individuals on antidepressant medications who still
show symptoms or in individuals who are not currently on antidepres-
sant medications. Having an approach for those who are already on
medications is important, because, although medications do work, only
50% of those who are treated with antidepressants alone are considered
treatment responders (e.g., Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Depression Guideline Panel [AHCPR], 1993a,b; Fava, Alpert, Nieren-
berg, Worthington, & Rosenbaum, 2000; Fava & Davidson, 1996), and
of those who do respond, only 50–65% attain complete remission. This
leaves significant symptoms that could be addressed with a psychosocial

15
 skills-based approach. Our studies of CBT-AD have begun after stabi-
lization on medications so that we can determine the degree to which
improvements from the treatment occur over and above the effects of
medications.

Outline of This Treatment Program

The main modules for CBT-AD are (1) psychoeducation and motiva-
tional interviewing regarding treating depression and being adherent to
one’s medical regimen; (2) adherence training; (3) activity scheduling;
(4) cognitive restructuring; (5) problem solving; (6) relaxation training/
diaphragmatic breathing; and (7) review, maintenance, and relapse pre-
vention. The treatment follows a modular approach so that core CBT
skills can be learned, followed by focused work on problems specific to
the individual. To maximize the balance between providing support to
clients and also teaching new skills, we recommend that the format of
every session begin with a mood check (we provide the Center for Epi-
demiologic Studies Depression Scale; CES-D), a review of adherence
and of homework and ongoing progress from previous modules, and
setting an agenda for the session. This should be done at the start of
every session, regardless of whether it is a new module or a continuation
of a module. We also recommend that therapists be flexible with clients
in terms of the order of the modules, the amount of time spent on any
one module, and the application of emergent client problems to the spe-
cific modules of treatment. This modular approach helps to make the
treatment more relevant for each client and allows a more flexible se-
quence in the delivery of interventions based on the client’s presenting
issues.

Each module builds on previous modules, and each session begins with
an assessment and discussion of depression and adherence for the previ-
ous week. The course of treatment is designed to be similar to a stan-
dardized cognitive-behavioral therapy, but though clients learn core CBT
skills (cognitive restructuring and activity scheduling), active training in
problem solving and relaxation are also implemented. The problem-
solving techniques complement the skills training for adherence. Be-
cause problem-solving skills can be impaired as a result of depression

16
 and because effective problem-solving skills are important for the man-
agement of medical illness, it is essential to directly teach these skills.
Finally, we teach applied relaxation and slow breathing to help patients
cope with side effects of medications, illness-related symptoms, or pain.
These relaxation exercises can also improve sleep hygiene and stress
management.

Use of the Workbook

The client workbook is meant to be an accompaniment to this therapist

manual. As discussed, flexibility is required in terms of the number of
sessions spent on individual modules. Hence, the therapist manual and
the client workbook are not set up on a session-by-session basis. Instead,
we provide text to describe the entire module, keeping in mind that
some modules may take several sessions.

We include the CES-D in the client workbook as the measure of de-

pression to be completed each week. This measure is in the public do-
main and can be a reliable way to track progress. It is important, how-
ever, to remind clients to complete this measure regarding their mood
since the previous session. We recommend that sessions be weekly;
hence this time period would correspond to the previous week, in ac-
cordance with the wording of the CES-D.

Other forms in the manual include a sample worksheet for the adher-
ence intervention, worksheets for mood and adherence monitoring,
problem solving, and cognitive restructuring, and an activity checklist.
The materials for cognitive restructuring include client instructions, as
well as forms for identifying negative thinking and formulating rational
responses.

17
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Chapter 2 Overview of Adherence Behaviors
for Selected Illnesses

Most medical illnesses require treatment adherence behaviors. Although

HIV/AIDS and diabetes may be more widely known regarding the im-
portance of strict adherence, health conditions such as hypertension or
high blood pressure, asthma, cardiac disease, and organ transplant also
contain aspects of the treatment that rely heavily on patient self-care be-
haviors and/or behavioral change. However, as articulated throughout
this manual, symptoms of depression can have a strong impact on the
motivation and skills needed to maintain strict adherence.

The first client session of this treatment approach focuses on psycho-

education and motivational interviewing regarding CBT for depression
and adherence. The next module, called “Life-Steps” is dedicated to ad-
herence skills training. The remaining modules then integrate CBT for
adherence with CBT for depression. As an aid for clinicians who may be
unfamiliar with particular medical illnesses, we present in this chapter a
basic overview of two of the most common health conditions that re-
quire high levels of adherence/self-care behaviors, HIV/AIDS and dia-
betes, and the particular adherence behaviors that accompany each con-
dition. We then provide information on additional diseases for which
this approach may be useful. This can serve as important background in-
formation for the Life-Steps module and for the material that integrates
CBT for depression with adherence training.

HIV/AIDS

Currently, the treatment for HIV/AIDS is highly active antiretroviral

therapy, or HAART. HAART is perhaps the most rigorous, demanding,
and unforgiving of any outpatient oral treatment ever introduced. Al-

19
 most perfect adherence to HAART is required to maximize the chances
of treatment success and to minimize the chances of developing medi-
cation resistance. This is difficult for patients because many experience
immediate and long-term side effects, including fatigue, nausea, diar-
rhea, insomnia, abnormal fat accumulation, taste alterations, and pe-
ripheral neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nervous system; Ammas-
sari et al., 2001; Chesney, Morin, & Sherr, 2000). Additionally, HAART
needs to be taken in the long term—indefinitely. In contrast, in other
diseases (e.g., hypertension), chronically administered drug therapies are
tolerant of mild to moderate nonadherence because they do not require
continuous therapeutic coverage and may have a long duration of effect
after dosing. Full therapeutic benefit of HAART may require not only
administration of a high proportion of total doses, as in other chronic
illness treatments, but strict and near perfect attention to dosing fre-
quency, timing, and food requirements.

For HIV, the main area of adherence that this manual addresses is ad-
herence to medications, or HAART.

Key Terms

■ HIV: Human-immunodeficiency virus. This virus is recognized as the

cause of AIDS.

■ Viral Load or Viral Burden: The amount of HIV virus that a person
with HIV has in his or her blood. Usually this is the number of copies
per milliliter of blood plasma. Usually less than 50ml is considered
“undetectable” or “suppressed” in that standard devices do not detect
this level of virus. Sometimes less than 75ml or less than 400ml is con-
sidered undetectable. The goal of HAART is to get a patient to a “sup-
pressed” or “undetectable” level.

■ CD4 (or T-cell): These immune system cells protect the body from
viral, fungal, and other infections. HIV attacks these cells, and their
destruction leaves the body susceptible to infections that they might
not otherwise acquire. Because of a low CD4 or T-cell count, infections
have the opportunity to infect a person with HIV. These infections,
which a person would normally not get, are called “opportunistic”
infections.

20
 ■ AIDS: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This is the more severe
manifestation of HIV. According to the CDC, a person is considered
to have AIDS when his or her CD4 count is under 200 or he or she
has certain opportunistic infections.

■ Resistance: HIV replicates quickly. During this rapid replication,

errors are frequent and can result in mutations of the virus strain. If
these mutations are of a form that is not responsive to medications, a
person is said to have “resistance.”

■ HAART: Highly active antiretroviral therapy. The treatment regimens

that attack HIV. This usually consists of at least three different medica-
tions, coming from the following classes: protease inhibitors (e.g.,
ritonavir/Norvir, indinavir/Crixivan, saquinavir/Invirase), NRTIs—
nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., AZT, ddI, 3TC), and
NNRTIs—non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g.
delavirdine/Rescriptor, efavirenz /Sustiva, nevirapine/Viramune).

HIV as a Chronic Illness

Recent advances in the treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus

(HIV) have increased the life expectancy and quality of life for HIV-
infected individuals, transforming HIV in the United States from a
“death sentence” to a manageable chronic illness. This mainly came with
the introduction of HAART. Although not a cure, combination drug
therapies that began to be developed and tested in the mid-1990s repre-
sented a major breakthrough in the treatment of HIV. Clinical trials
showed that combinations of highly active antiretroviral therapies, com-
monly referred to as “drug cocktails,” could substantially reduce the lev-
els of HIV in the bloodstream. This reduction in the immune system
“viral load,” in turn, was shown to lead to improved immune system
functioning, reduced frequency of opportunistic infections, and lower
rates of viral mutation. These changes resulted in a dramatic slowing of
the progression of the disease for many patients.

21
The New Era of HIV Management

In the United States and other countries where HAART is readily avail-
able to patients, many people are now living with HIV infection for
many years—even indefinitely if there are not other complications. Al-
though treatment advances have increased the life expectancy of HIV-
infected patients, the medications also demand near perfect adherence
to achieve maximum benefit and avoid treatment failure. Maintaining
excellent patient adherence remains an important challenge in the con-
trol of the virus and provides a decisive opportunity for behavioral
health clinicians to improve the health and quality of life of HIV-
infected patients.

Although initial research showed that HAART was quite successful in

improving immune system functioning and outcomes for HIV-infected
patients, these effects have been difficult to attain in clinical practice. In
clinical trials, various regimens of HAART have been shown to success-
fully suppress viral load in 60–90% of patients (Carpenter et al., 1997).
These high percentages were demonstrated in the optimal setting of
clinical trials (efficacy) with research participants who had not previ-
ously been treated for HIV. However, these rates cannot easily be dupli-
cated in real-world clinical practice (effectiveness). In fact, only 50% of
clinical practice patients are likely to achieve successful viral control
when given the same HAART regimens tested in clinical trials research
(Fätkenheuer et al., 1997; Casado et al., 1998). This difference between
efficacy and effectiveness may be due to differences between the usually
highly circumscribed samples in clinical trials and the much more com-
plex clinical population of HIV-infected individuals.

The Importance of Adherence in the Era of HAART

If HAART is highly potent and adherence is perfect, viral replication is

theoretically shut off, and resistant mutations do not arise. However, the
clinical reality is that most patients are less than perfect in their level of
adherence and consequently achieve incomplete antiretroviral potency.
The high rate of error-prone HIV replication places HIV-infected indi-
viduals on HAART at risk for viral replication of medication-resistant

22
 strains. Although HAART is a highly potent treatment, perfect or near
perfect adherence to HAART is necessary in order to prevent break-
through of resistant strains of the virus. Not only does this represent a
serious consequence for individuals taking HAART, but it is also a major
public health concern, as it is possible for these drug-resistant strains of
HIV to be transmitted from one person to another.

How Much Adherence Is Enough?

Even modest or occasional nonadherence to HAART greatly diminishes

the benefits of treatment. Whereas the general adherence literature in
other chronic illnesses has generally considered 80% adherence to be ad-
equate, research on the relationship between viral load and adherence to
HAART suggests that much higher levels of adherence need to be at-
tained in HIV treatment. Perhaps the most sobering data comes from
Paterson et al. (2000), who reported that virologic failure occurred in
72% of individuals with less than 95% adherence but in only 22% of in-
dividuals with 95% or greater adherence. More recent data (e.g., Bangs-
berg, 2006) reveals that these percentages vary depending on the type of
medication regimen. However, the findings underscore the central im-
portance of adherence for treatment success and demonstrate the need
for near perfect levels of medication adherence to attain viral suppres-
sion. Thus less than optimal adherence in HIV illness has unparalleled
consequences and unprecedented relevance to treatment success.

Targets of Treatment for CBT-AD

HAART is a difficult treatment regimen and requires a continued effort

on the part of the patient to take his or her medication on time and to
follow the proper food and liquid intake instructions at levels of near
perfection. The Life-Steps module of this manual teaches a comprehen-
sive set of skills necessary in order to avoid forgetting or missing medi-
cation doses. As in other chronic illnesses, there is now a large body of
evidence that suggests that adherence to HAART is negatively affected
by the presence of depression. Our research suggests that successful
treatment of depression with CBT-AD in HIV-infected patients can im-

23
 prove the ability of patients to learn the Life-Steps strategies to improve
adherence and maintain these improvements over time. The use of cog-
nitive strategies to challenge negative beliefs about treatment and beliefs
about HIV is a core element of our intervention. Activity scheduling, in
addition to being an effective intervention for the treatment of depres-
sion, can also help patients to better plan for their HAART doses. En-
couraging communication with the health care team is also essential, as
patients taking HAART are likely to experience side effects of treatment
and need to be proactive in finding ways to address them with their phy-
sician. Openness about side effects and addressing them will help pa-
tients to resist engaging in the common practice of skipping or altering
doses in an attempt to avoid these side effects.

Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by elevations in blood glucose result-

ing from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes is
a highly common illness, affecting over 150 million people worldwide,
with prevalence rates increasing rapidly in many countries, including the
United States. Much of this increase is concentrated in developed coun-
tries in which population aging, unhealthy diet, obesity, and sedentary
lifestyle appear to be contributing to the rise.

There are four types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and
types that arise from genetic syndromes, drugs, and physical stressors
such as surgery. This chapter discusses type 1 diabetes, which accounts
for 5 to 10% of all cases of diabetes, and type 2 diabetes, which accounts
for about 90% of all cases.

The treatment of diabetes, whether type 1 or 2, depends to a large extent

on the patient’s self-management. In contrast to HIV, in which there is
predominately one major self-care behavior, medication adherence, dia-
betes requires many self-care behaviors, sometimes therefore referred to
as “lifestyle management.” This can include self-monitoring of blood
glucose, adherence to diet and exercise recommendations, and regular
attendance and active participation at medical appointments. For many
patients it will also include adherence to medication and/or insulin self-
administration.

24
Key Terms

■ Insulin: This is a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas.

Carbohydrates (or sugars) are absorbed from the intestines into
the bloodstream after a meal. Insulin is then secreted by the pan-
creas in response to this detected increase in blood glucose (or
sugar). Cells in the body can only absorb glucose when insulin is
attached to their receptors. If a person has problems with insulin
production or with sensitivity of cells to insulin, as in the case of
diabetes, the cells cannot metabolize glucose to produce energy.

■ Blood glucose: Carbohydrates are broken down into a simple

sugar called glucose, which passes through the wall of the intes-
tines into the bloodstream. All patients with diabetes should
monitor their blood glucose levels in order to assess how well their
diabetes is controlled. Good control means getting as close to a
normal blood glucose level as possible. Ideally, this means levels
between 90 and 130 mg/dl before meals and less than 180 mg/dl
2 hours after starting a meal.

■ Type 1 diabetes: This type of diabetes was previously referred to

as juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes and is caused by
failure of pancreatic beta cells to produce insulin. These beta cells
are actually destroyed by a process that may be related to a mal-
function of the immune system. It can be diagnosed in children
or adults. Patients with type 1 diabetes require daily injections of
insulin.

■ Type 2 diabetes: This type was previously called non-insulin-

dependent or adult-onset diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, pancreatic
beta cells still produce insulin, but not enough. Compounding the
problems, the body’s cells do not respond properly to the available
insulin to adequately process glucose. This malfunction in the
cells’ receptivity to insulin is called insulin resistance. It is often
associated with being overweight. Pancreatic beta cell function
decreases over time, so that many patients eventually require treat-
ment with oral medications and/or insulin.

■ HbA1c: The goal for patients with diabetes is to keep their HbA1c
below 7%. A blood test called Hemoglobin A1c or glycohemoglo-

25
 bin (or glycosylated hemoglobin) (HbA1c) can be used to assess
control of diabetes. Hemoglobin is a protein found inside red
blood cells, which is responsible for transporting oxygen from the
lungs to all the cells of the body. Excess glucose enters red blood
cells and adheres, or glycates, to molecules of hemoglobin. The
more excess glucose in the blood, the more hemoglobin gets gly-
cated. It is possible to measure the percentage of glycosylated he-
moglobin in the blood through a laboratory test. This test gives a
picture of the average blood glucose control for the preceding 2 to
3 months and should be conducted routinely by a patient’s pro-
vider. There is some variation in the meaning of levels of HbA1c
from one lab to another.

■ Ketoacidosis: A serious problem that can occur if blood glucose

levels get so high that the body turns to its fat stores for energy,
leading to the production of ketones, which can be found in the
urine. This is more likely in people who have type 1 diabetes, but
it can also occur, though much less frequently, in type 2 diabetes.
Ketoacidosis is a significant cause of mortality in young persons
with type 1 diabetes and often requires hospitalization for treat-
ment. Poor adherence to insulin therapy is often the suspected
cause.

Diabetes and Complications

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes increase a patient’s risk for many serious
complications, including cardiovascular disease, retinopathy (noninflam-
matory damage to the retina of the eye), neuropathy (nerve damage),
and nephropathy (kidney damage). For example, studies have shown
that up to 60% of adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure and
nearly all have one or more lipid abnormalities, such as increased triglyc-
erides, low HDL cholesterol, or elevated LDL cholesterol. The Ameri-
can Diabetes Association reports that two out of three people with dia-
betes die from heart disease and stroke. Diabetes can also cause damage
to the kidneys due to the increased filtering caused by high levels of
blood sugar. This damage can be treated if detected early but could re-
sult in end-stage renal disease. Patients with diabetes are 40% more

26
 likely to suffer from glaucoma and 60% more likely to develop cataracts
and are at risk to develop retinopathy, which can result in blindness.
Thus it is important that patients with diabetes obtain regular eye exams
to screen for early abnormalities. About half of all patients with diabetes
have some form of nerve damage, or neuropathy. Peripheral diabetic
neuropathy can lead to problems including pain, numbness, and weak-
ness in the hands and feet. Autonomic neuropathy can lead to digestive
problems, incontinence, sexual difficulties, dizziness, and other prob-
lems. Skin disorders and foot complications are also common, and foot
ulcers are a particularly dangerous complication of diabetes, as they can
lead to amputation. Diabetes patients face many potentially serious
complications, and their risk for these complications depends to a large
extent on how well their diabetes is controlled over time.

Importance of Adherence to Treatment Success

It is estimated that more than 95% of diabetes care consists of self-care

behaviors (Anderson, 1995). Nonadherence can lead to worse glycemic
control and worse blood pressure and lipid levels, which can result in in-
creased rates of both microvascular complications, such as eye and kid-
ney disease and nerve damage, and macrovascular complications, such as
cardiovascular disease. Vascular and nerve damage combine to increase
the risk of gangrene, which, in turn, can lead to amputation of lower
limbs, reduced life expectancy, and overall poor quality of life (Rubin &
Peyrot, 1999, 2001).

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial was conducted from

1983 to 1993 by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and had a profound influence on the care of
diabetes worldwide. The study showed that keeping blood glucose levels
as close to normal as possible, whether through lifestyle change or phar-
macotherapy, slows the onset and progression of eye, kidney, and nerve
diseases caused by type 1 diabetes. In fact, it demonstrated that any sus-
tained lowering of blood glucose helps, even if the person has a history
of poor control. Tight control reduced the risk of eye disease by 76%,
kidney disease by 50%, and nerve disease by 60% (Diabetes Control
and Complications Trial Research Group, 1993). Subsequent large trials

27
 among individuals with type 2 diabetes also showed that tighter glucose
control could prevent the severe long-term complications of diabetes
(Ohkubo et al., 1995; Reichard, Nilsson, & Rosenqvist, 1993; Turner,
Cull, & Holman, 1996). Thus, perhaps to a greater extent than any other
chronic illness, the burden of diabetes control falls on the shoulders of
the patient and relies on his or her ability to adhere to lifestyle, medica-
tion, and glucose monitoring recommendations in order to achieve tight
control.

Self-monitoring of blood glucose is recommended as the core element

of self-management in diabetes (e.g., Holmes & Griffiths, 2002). Self-
monitoring of blood glucose is intended to allow the patient to collect
information on blood glucose levels at different time points and identify
high blood glucose levels in a timely manner (Nathan, 1996; Karter,
2001). We target self-monitoring of blood glucose as a core self-care be-
havior in our diabetes program because knowledge of glucose levels al-
lows patients to engage in other health-related self-care behaviors, such
as adjusting insulin dosages, diet, or medications and seeking medical
care in response.

Medication adherence is another important aspect of self-care in dia-

betes. Most patients require multiple medications, possibly including
exogenous insulin, to control hyperglycemia. Most patients will also be
taking medications to control the associated metabolic risk factors of hy-
pertension and hyperlipidemia. Investigators have argued that improved
treatment adherence to these regimens can close the gap between the po-
tential efficacy of these treatments and the benefits patients actually re-
ceive from treatment (e.g., Rubin, 2005; Piette, Heisler, & Wagner,
2004; Schectman, Nadkarni, & Voss, 2002).

Diet, exercise, and other self-care behaviors are also important for both
type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. Patients with type 1 diabetes must
carefully balance food intake, insulin, and physical activity. Patients with
type 2 diabetes are often prescribed oral medications that increase in-
sulin production, decrease insulin resistance, or block carbohydrate
absorption. They may also require the administration of exogenous in-
sulin. Because these treatments improve metabolic control, they may re-
sult in weight gain if patients do not reduce their food intake and in-
crease physical activity. For type 2 diabetes, weight loss is often an
important treatment goal, as reducing weight improves insulin resist-

28
 ance and reduces risk of cardiovascular complications. Thus, exercise and
diet are central health behaviors in the self-management of diabetes. Ad-
ditional self-care behaviors such as proper foot care and checking for ul-
cers are important and can be especially important for patients with neu-
ropathy. Smoking cessation is also an important goal for patients who
are current smokers, as smoking reduces blood flow to the extremities,
including feet, that may already be compromised. Routine screening for
complications of diabetes and consistent attendance at medical visits are
important for all patients.

Targets of Treatment for CBT-AD

Diabetes self-management is complex and demanding. It is also a long-

term endeavor, as there is no cure currently available for diabetes. As pa-
tients age, they may deal with increasing numbers of complications, as
well as other comorbid illnesses that also require management. The sec-
ond module in this manual, called Life-Steps, includes a comprehensive
set of skills that can be applied to the self-management of diabetes. As
in other chronic illnesses, there is now a large body of evidence that sug-
gests that adherence to diabetes self-care is negatively affected by the
presence of depression (e.g., Gonzalez et al., in press). Our research sug-
gests that successful treatment of depression with CBT-AD in diabetes
patients can improve their ability to learn the Life-Steps strategies to im-
prove adherence and maintain these improvements over time. The use
of cognitive strategies to challenge negative beliefs about treatment and
about diabetes is a core element of our intervention. Activity schedul-
ing, in addition to being an effective intervention for the treatment of
depression, can also help patients better plan self-monitoring of their
blood glucose, medications, and insulin doses. Activity scheduling can
also focus on establishing regular exercise routines and planning regular
healthy meals. Encouraging communication with the health care team is
also essential. Patients are potentially the best source of information
about their diabetes if they have been monitoring blood glucose and
their self-care activities. This information can have important influences
on treatment alterations, such as increasing medication doses, changing
medications that may not be effective for a given patient, or adding ex-
ogenous insulin to the treatment regimen.

29
Other Medical Conditions for Which CBT-AD May Be Applicable

In the preceding sections we provided information about HIV and dia-

betes, as these are the two conditions for which this intervention was
specifically developed. However, many other chronic medical condi-
tions require a high level of patient self-management in order to control
the illness. This self-management can involve adhering to medications,
attending medical visits, making changes in diet, losing weight, increas-
ing physical activity, and self-monitoring of symptoms. In the following
sections we briefly review chronic illnesses for which the CBT-AD in-
tervention may be especially applicable. However, in addition to the ill-
nesses, there are other conditions for which CBT-AD may be useful. For
example, self-management demands can be high in patients being con-
sidered for, or who have recently undergone, organ transplant, or who are
being treated for tuberculosis, epilepsy, or end-stage renal disease. De-
pression may also be a concern for many patients undergoing such treat-
ments. As depression is more common in patients with chronic illness
than in the general population, and because self-management is an inte-
gral component of the treatment of most chronic illnesses, it is likely
that the CBT-AD intervention will have far-reaching applications. As a
guide for clinicians, we review information about hypertension, coronary
heart disease, asthma, and hepatitis C and about cancer patients taking
oral chemotherapy. These may be some of the most frequent diseases that
involve self-care/adherence, which can be affected by depression.

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is usually defined as having a sys-

tolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or greater, having diastolic blood
pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater, or taking antihypertensive medica-
tions. Hypertension is a global problem and has been identified as the
leading risk factor for mortality (Ezzati, Lopez, Rogers, Vander Hoorn,
& Murray, 2002). Recent estimates suggest that more than a quarter of
the world’s adult population, totaling nearly 1 billion people, had hy-
pertension in 2000. This proportion is expected to increase to 29%—
1.56 billion people—by 2025 (Kearney, Whelton, Reynolds, Muntner,
& Whelton, 2005). In the United States, at least 65 million adults had

30
 hypertension in 1999–2000, with a total hypertension prevalence rate of
31.3% (Fields et al., 2004). Hypertension places patients at increased risk
of stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, kidney failure,
and peripheral vascular disease. For example, hypertension increases the
risk of ischemic heart disease three- to fourfold and of overall cardiovas-
cular risk by two- to threefold (Berenson et al., 1998).

Treatment and the accompanying adherence behaviors required for

hypertension depend on the severity of the elevation in blood pressure
and the presence of other comorbid conditions such as diabetes. For less
severe hypertension, lifestyle changes are emphasized, including losing
weight, increasing activity, and eating a balanced diet. For more severe
hypertension, prescribed medications are used in conjunction with life-
style changes. Although pharmacotherapy to reduce hypertension has been
proven to be effective, adequate control remains challenging, with only
one-quarter of patients achieving adequate control. This low level of treat-
ment success is thought to be largely a result of medication nonadher-
ence. Good adherence to medication has been associated with improved
blood pressure control and reduced complications of hypertension.

In addition to adherence to medications, lifestyle factors are also impor-

tant in the management of hypertension. Increasing physical activity
and/or aerobic exercise, losing weight, restricting sodium intake, and
moderating alcohol intake may all be important self-management goals
for patients with hypertension. Data from the National Health and Nu-
trition Examination Survey suggest that depression predicts the onset of
hypertension and thus would be more prevalent in patients with hyper-
tension ( Jonas, Franks, & Ingram, 1997). There is also evidence that de-
pressive symptoms are associated with nonadherence to antihypertensive
treatment (Wang et al., 2002). Therefore, it is likely that patients with
hypertension who also present with problems with depression could
benefit from CBT-AD.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United
States, causing one of every five deaths in the United States in 2004. Re-
cent estimates suggest that an estimated 15,800,000 American adults

31
 suffer from CHD. Of these, approximately 7,900,000 have had myo-
cardial infarction (MI; i.e., a heart attack), and 8,900,000 suffer from
angina pectoris (i.e., chest pain). The estimated annual incidence of MI
is 565,000 new attacks and 300,000 recurrent attacks annually. A con-
servative estimate for the number of hospital discharges with acute coro-
nary syndrome, defined as either acute MI or acute unstable angina, in
2004 is 840,000. The estimated direct and indirect cost of CHD for
2007 is $151.6 billion (American Heart Association, 2007). Thus CHD
is a very common disorder and results in significant morbidity, mortal-
ity, and cost. Depression and nonadherence are two related psychosocial
factors that have been extensively researched in CHD and are each asso-
ciated with poorer health outcomes.

Physically healthy individuals with depression are 1.5 to 2 times more

likely to have an onset of CHD than those without depression. Among
those with existing CHD, those with depression are 1.5 to 2 times more
likely to suffer from cardiac morbidity and mortality than those who do
not have depression (Lett et al., 2004). Post-myocardial infarction pa-
tients with a clinician-diagnosed depressive disorder or self-reported de-
pressive symptoms are between 2 and 2.5 times more likely to have a new
cardiovascular event and/or to die from a cardiovascular event than
those who are not diagnosed with depression (Van Melle et al., 2004).
Major depression has been reported in 15–20% of patients hospitalized
for acute MI, and approximately 45% have been found to have either
major or minor depression (Schleifer et al., 1989; Frasure-Smith, Lesper-
ance, & Talajic, 1993; Frasure-Smith, Lesperance, & Talajic, 1995a; Lad-
wig, Kieser, Konig, Breithardt, & Borggrefe, 1991).

Data from post-MI patients suggests that depression negatively impacts

self-care and adherence following discharge. Patients who had had an
acute MI in the previous 3–5 days and who had symptoms of mild to
moderate depression, major depression, and/or dysthymia had lower ad-
herence to a low-fat diet, regular exercise, stress reduction, and increas-
ing social support at 4 months follow-up. Those with major depression
and/or dysthymia also reported taking medications as prescribed less
often than those without major depression and/or dysthymia (Ziegel-
steinet al., 2000). A recent study that followed patients after hospital-
ization for acute MI or unstable angina found that depression predicted
nonadherence to aspirin in a gradient fashion, with higher levels of de-

32
 pressive symptoms predicting more nonadherence. Furthermore, im-
provements in depressive symptoms in the first month after discharge
were associated with improvements in adherence rates in the subsequent
2 months (Rieckmann et al., 2006).

Nonadherence to recommended lifestyle changes (increasing physical

activity, weight loss, dietary changes) and medication regimens has been
associated with decreased survival for CHD patients in a number of
studies (e.g., Horwitz et al., 1990; McDermott, Schmitt, & Wallner,
1997). Therefore, it is possible that the relationship between depression
and worse health outcomes in CHD patients could be at least partly ex-
plained by associated medical nonadherence. Thus the research evidence
is supportive for the efficacy of CBT-AD, which could improve both de-
pression and medical adherence in patients with CHD.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that involves inflammation of the airways

superimposed with recurrent episodes of limited airflow, mucus pro-
duction, and cough. Asthma is generally diagnosed by periodic experi-
ences of symptoms of wheezing, nocturnal awakening from asthma,
cough, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and episodic decreases and
variability in pulmonary function. Asthma is a common and costly pub-
lic health problem affecting 17 million Americans at an annual cost of
$11 billion (Mannino, Homa, Akinbami, Ford, & Redd, 2002; Weiss &
Sullivan, 2001). Although effective treatments which have been shown
to dramatically reduce morbidity are available, nonadherence to these
treatments is a widespread problem among patients.

Treatment of asthma and accompanying adherence behaviors involve

avoiding triggers, self-monitoring of symptoms and lung functioning,
and taking two types of medications aimed at the two components of
asthma: airway inflammation and acute bronchoconstriction. Corticos-
teroids are a commonly used anti-inflammatory medication for people
suffering from asthma. These and other anti-inflammatory drugs reduce
swelling and mucus production in the airways and are usually prescribed
for daily intake. Anti-inflammatory medications control inflammation
and prevent chronic symptoms such as coughing or breathlessness at

33
 night, in the early morning, or after exertion. Quick-relief medications
are also used to address asthma attack symptoms (cough, chest tight-
ness, and wheezing) when attacks occur. Avoiding asthma triggers such
as inhaled allergens and certain foods and medications, irritants such as
tobacco smoke, and other triggers is also important. Lastly, self-moni-
toring of daily asthma symptoms and peak airflow with a flow meter
and recording information in a diary is another important aspect of
self-management.

Nonadherence to daily inhaled corticosteroid therapy is probably the

most important barrier to achieving optimal asthma control. Major
deficits in other self-management behaviors, such as peak flow meter
use, inhaler technique, titration of medications, trigger avoidance, proper
response to symptoms, and flow meter readings, have also been docu-
mented. The chronic nature of asthma and the need for long-term and
consistent treatment is often not clearly understood by patients. Re-
searchers have noted that conceptualizing asthma as an acute, episodic
illness may have an internal logic of its own based on the experience of
the disease by patients. The experience of attacks with little apparent
warning may encourage patients to think of asthma as a series of un-
expected, acute episodes separated by “disease-free” periods. The focus
on attacks and relief experienced when a severe episode is terminated
may encourage patients to discount the importance of low-level symp-
toms and breathing impairment that persist in between attacks. In fact,
patients may think, “no symptoms, no asthma,” and this type of episodic
belief was found to be associated with inaccurate understanding of asthma
and with one-third lower odds of adherence to inhaled corticosteroids
when asymptomatic (Halm, Mora, & Leventhal, 2006).

Patients with asthma appear particularly likely to suffer from psychologi-

cal problems, especially anxiety disorders. Studies have reported associa-
tions between depressive disorders and anxiety disorders and worse asthma
control and quality of life, with one recent study showing that although
both depressive disorders and anxiety disorders are associated with worse
asthma-related quality of life, only depressive disorders are associated
with worse asthma control (Lavoie et al., 2006). Among inner-city
asthma patients recently discharged from hospitalization, symptoms of
depression were found to be quite common, and high levels of depres-
sive symptoms were shown to predict worse adherence to therapy after

34
 discharge (Smith et al., 2006). Thus there is evidence to suggest that
CBT-AD, with a particular focus on correcting misperceptions about
the chronicity of asthma and the need for continued treatment and self-
monitoring, could be effective for asthma patients with depression.

Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem and is the
leading cause of death from chronic liver disease in the United States
(Kim, 2002). In the United States, more than 2.7 million people are es-
timated to have ongoing HCV infection (Alter et al., 1999), and the
most recent World Health Organization estimate of the prevalence of
HCV infection is 2%, representing 123 million people worldwide (Perz,
Farrington, & Pecoraro, 2004). The most common risk factors for HCV
infection include blood transfusion before 1992, when sensitive screening
became available in the United States; intravenous drug use; and unsafe
sex. In the United States, injection drug use is the primary risk factor.

Among patients with chronic HCV infection, 5–20% are reported to de-
velop cirrhosis over periods of approximately 20–25 years. Persons with
HCV-related cirrhosis are at risk for developing end-stage liver disease,
as well as carcinoma of the liver. Between 15 and 45% of persons with
acute HCV will recover, are not at risk of long-term complications, and
do not need treatment. However, patients with chronic HCV face a life-
threatening illness. The progression to cirrhosis of the liver is the pri-
mary concern, although the rate of progression is usually slow. It often
takes more than two decades and occurs more often in persons infected
at older ages, particularly men; those who drink more than 50 grams of
alcohol each day; those who are obese or have substantial hepatic steato-
sis (accumulation of fat in liver cells); or those with HIV coinfection
(Strader, Wright, Thomas, & Seef, 2004).

The efficacy of available treatments has increased consistently since

HCV was identified in 1989. The goal of treatment is to eradicate the
virus to avoid these long-term complications of chronic HCV. The most
effective current combination treatment available consists of weekly
subcutaneous injections of long-acting peginterferon alfa and oral riba-
virin, usually taken over a period of at least 48 weeks. This currently

35
 represents the standard of care in the United States. Rates of sustained
virological response vary depending on the genotype of HCV and the
severity of the infection (as measured by viral load). However, approxi-
mately 46 to 77% of patients achieve a successful response after 48 weeks
of maximal dose combination therapy (Strader, Wright, Thomas, &
Seef, 2004).

Although effective, combination therapy commonly causes side effects,

including fatigue, influenza-like symptoms, gastrointestinal disturbances,
neuropsychiatric symptoms (especially depression), and hematologic ab-
normalities. Approximately 75% of treated patients experience one or
more side effect of combination therapy that may require dose reduction
or drug discontinuation, and many patients with HCV discontinue or
are nonadherent to treatment because of these side effects.

Patients with HCV appear to have higher rates of psychiatric illness, es-
pecially substance abuse/dependence and depression. Rates of depression
in patients with HCV have been reported to range from 22 to 49% (e.g.,
Kraus, Schafer, Csef, Scheurlen, & Faller, 2000; El-Serag, Kunik, Richard-
son, & Rabeneck, 2002). Of major concern, estimates suggest that
between 23 and 40% of patients treated for HCV will develop major de-
pression during therapy (e.g., Dieperink, Ho, Thuras, & Willenbring,
2003; Bonaccorso et al., 2002) and that combination therapy can bio-
medically induce depression.

There is growing evidence that antidepressants can be useful in the treat-

ment of interferon-induced depression (e.g., Hauser et al., 2002; Glea-
son, Yates, Isbell, & Phillipsen, 2002). There is also preliminary evidence
that integrating mental health care (including providing cognitive-
behavioral therapy) with medical care in the treatment of chronic HCV
can improve treatment adherence (Knott et al., 2006). Although ran-
domized trials of cognitive-behavioral therapy are currently lacking, the
evidence from the research literature that is available suggests that ap-
proaches such as CBT-AD, which integrate CBT for depression directly
with adherence skills training, could have an important application in
the treatment of depression and the improvement of treatment adher-
ence in patients undergoing treatment for HCV.

36
Cancer

The availability of oral chemotherapies promises to have a significant

impact on the treatment of various forms of cancer in the future. Several
oral chemotherapy agents have already become available, and many more
are being evaluated in efficacy research trials. Currently, only 5% of can-
cer chemotherapy agents are available in oral formulation; however, oral
agents represent an estimated 20–25% of all drugs in development (Bedell,
Hartigan, Wilkinson, & Halpern, 2002; Birner, 2003). Oral chemo-
therapy agents have applications across a variety of cancers, including
multiple myeloma (bone marrow), breast, liver, lung, and colorectal
cancer. Although these oral formulations offer significant advantages
over standard intravenous treatments, including greater convenience
and shorter treatment time, they also require patients to self-monitor for
side effects, and they rely on adherence to prescribed regimens in order
to achieve their effects. There is also a resultant decrease in contact with
health care providers as treatment can be self-administered. Although
cancer patients may be thought to be highly motivated to adhere to ther-
apy because of the gravity of their disease (Waterhouse, Calzone, Mele,
& Brenner, 1993), nonadherence rates of 43–50%, respectively, have
been reported in samples of breast cancer and hematologic malignancy
patients taking oral agents (Lebovits et al., 1990).

There are various reasons for nonadherence to these new treatments, in-
cluding the common occurrence of nausea, either resulting from the can-
cer or as a side effect of treatment. Nausea may make it difficult for pa-
tients to take and retain oral chemotherapy agents. Adherence to strict
administration schedules may also be challenging for some patients. There
is also the possibility that patients may adjust doses without consulting
their health care providers for various reasons, including worrying that
oral treatments are not effective enough, to avoid side effects, and to re-
duce the cost of oral agents, which are often not covered by insurance
plans (Bedell, 2003).

As the American Cancer Society (2006) has estimated that more than
25% of patients with cancer undergoing treatment become clinically de-
pressed, it is likely that many patients on oral chemotherapy will experi-
ence depression that could interfere with their adherence to these thera-

37
 pies. Depressed individuals have been found to be less likely to adhere to
their oncologists’ treatment recommendations (e.g., Goodwin, Zhang,
& Ostir, 2004), and, as patients assume more of the responsibility for
correctly administering oral chemotherapy, it is likely that depression
would be associated with nonadherence. Therefore, it is likely that de-
pressed cancer patients taking oral chemotherapy could benefit from
CBT-AD.

Summary

In general, depression is a common condition that co-occurs with medi-

cal illness. Depression in and of itself is a distressing and interfering
condition. In addition, the primary and associated symptoms of depres-
sion can dramatically affect the self-care behaviors needed to maintain a
medical treatment regimen. Regardless of the specific adherence beha-
vior required, the approach of integrating CBT, the most widely studied
psychosocial treatment for depression, with adherence-promoting be-
haviors can have significant impacts on the health of clients who are
managing a chronic illness. This intervention is described in the forth-
coming chapters.

38
Chapter 3 Module 1: Psychoeducation About CBT
and Motivational Interviewing

(Corresponds to chapters 1 and 2 of the workbook)

Materials Needed

■ CBT model of depression

■ Motivational Exercise: Pros and Cons of Changing

Outline

■ Set agenda

■ Review depression score on CES-D and discuss with client

■ Review client’s treatment adherence over the previous week

■ Discuss any relationship between depression and adherence

■ Provide information about how depression can negatively affect

medical adherence

■ Discuss client’s symptoms and create a CBT model of depression

for the client

■ Review motivational information and exercise

■ Discuss the structure of the sessions

Set Agenda

Begin every session by interactively setting an agenda with the client.

This helps maintain a structured focus and allows you and the client to
agree on the most important topics for problem solving. In this module,

39
 the session focus is on exploring the relationship between depression and
adherence.

Review of Depression Severity on CES-D

As will be done at the beginning of every session, the client completes

the CES-D self-report measure of depression, which can be found in the
corresponding workbook. Briefly review his or her score and take note
of any symptoms that may have changed from the last measurement, if
one was done previously (e.g., at an intake session). As therapy pro-
gresses, it can be helpful to review the total score for each of the preced-
ing sessions in order to examine what might be helpful in treatment and
what might not. This may also be a discussion point regarding future
therapy “homework” and tracking what interventions result in measur-
able progress—that is, if a client completes the “homework” and feels
better, this can be emphasized. If the client has not engaged in behav-
ioral change and his or her symptoms of depression have not changed,
this could be utilized to increase motivation in future sessions. This can
be facilitated by adding the CES-D score in the client’s medical or men-
tal health record so that it is easy to review and track over time.

You may also track the client’s progress through the use of the Progress
Summary Chart, which charts improvement session by session. The ver-
sion for therapists includes session-by-session CES-D scores, adherence
scores, homework assignments for the following week, a homework rat-
ing for the previous week, and a place to record the particular module
covered. This chart can also be used to examine whether the client is get-
ting worse in terms of depression and therefore whether additional treat-
ment is needed (i.e., referral for medications, medication augmentation,
or hospitalization). The version for clients in the workbook tracks similar
information so that clients can actively see their progress.

A blank copy of the Progress Summary Tracking Chart, as well as a com-

pleted example (figure 3.4), is provided at the end of this chapter. Be-
cause you will use this chart for more than one client with this approach,
you may photocopy it from the book or download multiple copies from
the TreatmentsThatWork™ website at http://www.oup.com/us/ttw.

40
 A CES-D score of 16 is typically used as a cutoff to screen in for clinical
depression. It is important to assess suicidality in each session, particu-
larly if CES-D scores are high or if they have increased by more than
25% from the previous session. In this way, an appropriate further inter-
vention or referral for a more intensive intervention (i.e., medications if
the client is not already prescribed medications, or hospital-level care)
can be employed to prevent exacerbation of depression or suicidality.

Review of Adherence and Any Medical Changes

The client also completes the Weekly Adherence Assessment Form. This
form is included in the corresponding client workbook. Although treat-
ment has just started, the client should complete this form in order to
establish a baseline against which his or her improvement in adherence
behaviors throughout treatment can be measured. Have the client use
the form to assess any medical changes experienced over the preceding
week, including changes in symptoms or emergence of new symptoms,
or new test results (e.g., viral load for HIV-infected clients or blood glu-
cose testing for clients with diabetes). Also discuss the relation of these
medical changes to adherence behavior and correlation with mood. Posi-
tive medical changes can be used to reinforce improvements in adher-
ence behaviors. Conversely, providing feedback to clients regarding the
exacerbation of their symptoms or test results may be a good opportu-
nity to address barriers to and increase motivation for medical adher-
ence. It may also allow for renegotiating the planned medical regimen to
better adapt to client needs.

A sample, filled-out Weekly Adherence Assessment Form is shown in

figure 3.1.

Depression and Adherence

The purpose of this first module is to teach the client about depression
in the context of having chronic illness. The emphasis is on how each of
the components of depression (cognitive, behavioral, physical) adds to
a cycle of continued or worsening of symptoms and decreases abilities

41
Weekly Adherence Assessment Form
Note: This form is to be completed by the client at the start of every session. Adherence goals
should be determined during the adherence counseling (Life-Steps) module and should corre-
spond to the articulated adherence goals. Examples are shown in script.

Thinking about the PAST WEEK, on average how would you rate your ability to adhere to
your goal of taking all of my medications ?

(Check one)
Very poor Poor Fair Good Very good Excellent
□ □ □ □ □ □

Thinking about the PAST WEEK, on average how would you rate your ability to adhere to
your goal of monitoring my blood glucose once a day ?

(Check one)
Very poor Poor Fair Good Very good Excellent
□ □ □ □ □ □

Thinking about the PAST WEEK, on average how would you rate your ability to adhere to
your goal of exercising three times a week ?

(Check one)
Very poor Poor Fair Good Very good Excellent
□ □ □ □ □ □

Thinking about the PAST WEEK, on average how would you rate your ability to adhere to
your goal of avoiding high-fat foods ?

(Check one)
Very poor Poor Fair Good Very good Excellent
□ □ □ □ □ □

Figure 3.1
Example of Completed Weekly Adherence Assessment Form

42
 to adhere to one’s medical regimen. This module is meant to lay the
groundwork for the remainder of the treatment.

Credibility and confidence in a treatment is critical for the treatment to

be successful. Hence, this module is of particular importance, because
clients need to understand the rationale behind CBT-AD in order for
them to have the motivation to engage in the treatment. Of particular
importance is making the model relevant to the particular client’s needs.
This can take some therapist skill and requires eliciting information
about the client’s current difficulties with adherence and depression and
incorporating them into the discussion of the model. We have found
that the best way to present this is through a highly interactive discus-
sion rather than a didactic presentation.

Components of Depression

Your discussion of depression can be brief, as the main explanation of

the three components should come from the interactive discussion of the
client’s symptoms.

Cognitive Component

The cognitive component of depression consists of negative thoughts

that people have when they are depressed. This can be exacerbated by
stressors associated with chronic illness and may include negative thoughts
about treatment.

Behavioral Component

The behavioral component of depression refers to the particular behav-

iors that a person does or avoids when depressed. It is important to note
that these very behaviors can lead to further increases in depression.
Avoidance of activities that normally would result in enjoyment is a key
issue. Additionally, individuals with depression also have difficulty with
normal problem solving due to decreased motivation and negative think-
ing. This can certainly affect adherence and self-care behaviors.

43
Physiological Component

Physical symptoms of depression include low energy, decreased appetite,

fatigue, sleep problems, and concentration problems. These symptoms
can be exacerbated by chronic illness and/or medications, and therefore
they also affect adherence. In HIV, for example, fatigue can be a promi-
nent symptom that can lead to increased depression. In diabetes, insulin
variability and glycemic status can be associated with mood variations.

CBT Model of Depression

Complete the cognitive-behavioral model of depression shown in figure

3.2 with your client and fill in specific symptoms in each category. De-
velopment of the CBT model should be an interactive process. Write the
specific cognitions, behaviors, and physiological symptoms that the client
reports experiencing when depressed.

Having the client understand the CBT model and how it specifically ap-
plies to him or her is, in many ways, the basis for the entire remainder
of this intervention package. This discussion typically comprises a sig-
nificant portion of the session and ensures that the client understands
the model and how it explains the maintenance of depressed mood and
consequently affects his or her self-care. It is imperative that the client
totally understand this model. You must use language that is under-
standable to the client. For example, the word cognitive, although it is
the name of the treatment (i.e. “cognitive-behavioral therapy”), may be
difficult for some clients to understand in this context. Instead, words
such as thoughts and beliefs may help the client see the association of cog-
nitions and emotions.

Given the high importance of these concepts, we recommend that you

make sure to take sufficient time with this model. In fact, sometimes this
may take an entire session (or two) for some clients. Completing the
form interactively with them and having the clients take notes in their
workbooks (or you can take notes and provide a handout) can be a use-
ful adjunct to this session, so that you and the client can continue to
refer back to this as the treatment progresses.

44
 Complete interactively with participant, filling in specific symptoms in each category.

Cognitive

Behavioral Physiological

Figure 3.2.
45

Cognitive-Behavioral Model of Depression

 Probe questions about each dimension:

■ Behavioral: What types of things do you think you avoid, or do less

often, because you are depressed? What kinds of things do you do more
of because you are depressed?

■ Cognitive: What is your thinking like since you have become de-
pressed? What thoughts do you have about yourself ? Your relationships
with others? Your future? Your illness? Your treatment/medications?
Think of the last time you were really feeling down. Picture where you
were. What was going through your mind at that time?

■ Physiological: What physical symptoms do you experience? Do you

have trouble sleeping? Trouble concentrating? Appetite changes?
Fatigue or low energy?

■ Role of chronic illness: How does having your illness contribute to

your thoughts, your behaviors, and your physical symptoms?

■ Adhering to medical regimen: What happens to the way you take

care of yourself when you are feeling depressed? What is the result?
How does this end up affecting your mood?

Cycle of Depression

Use the following sample dialogue to show how the client’s reported
symptoms function together to form a cycle of depression.

A person who has these kinds of thoughts going through his or her
head is less likely to do these activities and is more likely to withdraw
from others. Not doing these activities and being isolated are going to
make you more likely to feel like you have less energy and more fa-
tigue. These changes are going to make you feel more depressed and are
going to make you more likely to have these kinds of negative thoughts.
This cycle just builds on itself in a downward spiral toward depres-
sion, unless we do something to break these connections.

46
Focus of Treatment

Explain to the client that the point of this treatment is to attack each of
the three components of depression and to break the connection be-
tween them. Provide a brief overview of each of the modules that com-
pose this treatment program, how they address each component of de-
pression, and how they will be used to help medical adherence.

1. Life-Steps will teach skills that facilitate medical adherence and de-
crease the negative impact of depression on adherence behavior.

2. Activity scheduling will address the behavioral component of de-

pression by increasing mood-improving activities and decreasing
or eliminating behaviors that contribute to depression (e.g., avoid-
ance and withdrawal).

3. Cognitive restructuring will teach clients to challenge negative

thoughts that contribute to depression and develop more adaptive
ways of thinking.

4. Problem solving will help clients develop better coping strategies

to deal with problems that can contribute to depression.

5. Relaxation training will give clients tools to address the physical

symptoms of depression.

6. The module addressing maintenance of changes will help clients

transition to “being their own therapist”—continuing the skills
learned even in the context of emergent life stressors.

Therapist Note: If you are breaking this module into two sessions,
this would be a natural stopping point. In this case, the next session
should begin with a brief review as per the format of every session (set
agenda, CES-D mood check, adherence check), followed by the next set
of material.

Motivation for Alleviating Depression

Motivational interviewing (MI; Miller & Rollnick, 1991) interventions

can help clients examine the impact of depression on their lives, includ-

47
 ing self-care, adherence, and functional impairment. The particular rele-
vance of self-care when living with chronic illness is emphasized.

Discuss with your client his or her goals for participating in this pro-
gram. What is his or her general motivation? Review the problem areas
identified by the client in the initial evaluation and assessment. Talk about
anticipated difficulties with following this program (e.g., attendance).

Relate the CBT model of depression to the client’s problems. Ask: How
does this model fit in with the difficulties you are having? How are these
symptoms affected by your illness? Attempt to show how each section
ties in with specific problems the client presents with.

Motivational Metaphor

Use the following metaphor to illustrate the cycle of depression:

As we discussed, depression is a cycle.

Because of being depressed, it’s more difficult to motivate yourself to

change, and because you haven’t motivated yourself to change, you feel
more depressed.

One way to think of this is an analogy of being stuck in a hole. Let’s

say that a person is stuck in a hole but that the only tool he or she has
is a shovel. The person knows how to shovel, and it’s an easy, comfort-
able thing to do. However, if the person does this—shovels—it makes
the problem worse; the hole gets deeper.

One day, someone comes along and throws down a ladder. But the
only thing the person knows how to do is shovel. Shoveling feels com-
fortable, but now there is another choice.

Not only that—there is a problem with the ladder. The ladder is

scalding hot. So, climbing up will be painful and difficult, and shov-
eling will be comfortable and easy. However, choosing the ladder will
get the person out of the hole. (Adapted from Linehan, 1993)

48
Motivational Exercise: Pros and Cons of Changing

Work with the client to complete the Motivational Exercise: Pros and
Cons of Changing, found in the workbook. Emphasize the negative
effect of depression on the client’s life. Questions should address topics
regarding the client’s hopes for living (e.g., goals not met, having chil-
dren, enjoyable aspects of life, etc.). Be sure to go over each cell in the
matrix on the worksheet and point out that there are pros and cons of
changing and pros and cons of not changing. For example, a big “pro”
of not changing is that one does not have to do the work to change. This
may be different from a “con” of changing, which for some people may
elicit different concerns, such as, “at least with my current situation, I
know what things are like, and I am comfortable.”

A sample completed Motivational Exercise form is shown in figure 3.3.

After completing this exercise on the pros and cons of changing, ask
the client to rate his or her motivation to change his or her depression
and to work on adherence to his or her medical regimen on a scale of
1–10, with 1 representing no motivation at all and 10 representing high
motivation.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No Some High
motivation motivation motivation

If the client gives a number other than 10, ask, “Why did you rate your
motivation a and not a 10?” This usually will facilitate a
conversation about the client’s reasons for wanting to be adherent; for
example, “I really want to stay healthy,” “I want to live a long life,” and
so forth. This is a good way to start the conversation. Then ask why the
client did not give a higher number. This usually yields reasons for bar-
riers. Use this as a discussion point to clarify the pros and cons of chang-
ing or what the treatment may be like. If the client appears to not be
motivated at all to participate in this program, it may be necessary to
progress through the treatment more slowly, trying to get the client to
agree to try some portions of it and revisiting progress, and/or to con-

49
Motivational Exercise: Pros and Cons of Changing
Pros Cons

Changing: I will feel better and I If I change, I won’t know

Working to improve depression will be able to take what to expect.
better care of myself.
At least I’m comfortable
Maybe my illness will now.
improve, or at least my
It may be hard work to
condition won’t
make changes.
deteriorate.

I’ll be able to be there

for my family and spend
more time with my
children.

Not changing: I won’t have to work If I don’t change, my

Keeping things the way they are hard and put a lot of illness may worsen.
effort into making a
I may not be able to
change.
work or accomplish
other important goals.

Figure 3.3.
Example of Completed Motivational Exercise

sider alternate approaches. Finally, for some clients, giving a low num-
ber could mean that they do not fully understand the rationale behind
the treatment nor have confidence that it applies to them. In this case, it
may be useful to return to the cognitive-behavioral model to be sure that
it is suited to the particular needs of your client.

Format of the Treatment

Explain to the client that the following activities are included in each
session.

50
Setting an Agenda

It is important to begin each session by setting an agenda. This helps

maintain a structured focus of the treatment on depression and medical
adherence and also prepares the client for what lies ahead in the upcom-
ing session.

You should be aware that one of the challenges in conducting psycho-

logical treatment in general, but particularly with clients with a medical
illness and depression, is to avoid getting distracted by lengthy discus-
sions of problems clients may be facing that are not focused on the pres-
ent or on problem solving or skills training. At times, these discussions
are pertinent to their depression and problems with adherence and can
be integrated into the context of the session topics. Other times, it is
necessary to convey empathy regarding a client’s difficulty and acknowl-
edge that one of the limitations of this treatment is the need to remain
focused so that you both can go over all of the skills to manage depres-
sion and adherence. The general approach involves working with the
client to take the emergent problems and apply them directly to the spe-
cific treatment modules.

Monitoring Progress

As we have already discussed, this treatment approach involves regularly

monitoring improvement. By administering a measure of depression
symptoms and reviewing medical adherence each week, you can deter-
mine whether the skills being taught are helping the client. Items that do
not change on the depression assessment or patterns of difficulties with
adherence can be targets for further discussion. We recommend using
the CES-D. We find it important to start each session with a discussion
of the current symptom score, as well as a review of the homework.

Reviewing Homework

At the end of each module (except this first one), you and the client
work on a homework assignment. The homework is geared toward spe-

51
 cifically practicing the new skills discussed during the session. The
homework is then reviewed at the beginning of the following session.

It is important to acknowledge the client’s incremental success and to

problem-solve any barriers or difficulties he or she may be facing. Repe-
tition and practice of new skills is critical for individuals with chronic ill-
ness to maximize gains made in treatment and to increase the likelihood
of sustaining improvement. We provide a copy of the checklist for moni-
toring homework assignments at the end of this chapter, as well as in the
workbook for the client.

Assigning Homework

As previously stated, at the end of each session you work with the client
to assign homework exercises based on skills taught during treatment.

Addressing Concerns About Treatment

Before progressing to the next module, it is important to discuss with the

client any concerns he or she may have about the treatment. If the client
has had past experiences with therapy for depression, be sure to talk
about this. Some questions to ask are, “What did you like or dislike
about the last time you were in therapy for depression?” “Why did you
decide to participate in this particular program?” “What was helpful,
and what was particularly unhelpful?”

52
Progress Summary Chart
Past Week’s
Module CES-D Adherence Homework Homework
Date Covered Score Rating Assigned Rating

53
Progress Summary Chart
Past Week’s
Module CES-D Adherence Homework Homework
Date Covered Score Rating Assigned Rating

3/6 Psychoeducation 28 50% N/A N/A

and Motivational
Interviewing

3/13 Life-Steps 30 65% Implement Adherence Action 2

Items

3/20 Activity Scheduling 20 75% -Practice Adherence 3

-Complete Activity Log

3/27 Cognitive 18 60% -Practice Adherence and 4

Restructuring I Activity Scheduling
-Complete first 4 columns of
thought record

4/1 Cognitive 16 65% -Practice Adherence and 3

Restructuring II Activity Scheduling
-Complete full thought record

4/8 Cognitive 12 85% -Practice Adherence and 5

Restructuring II Activity Scheduling
(cont’d) -Practice Cognitive Restruc-
turing and Rational Response

4/15 Problem Solving 10 100% -Practice Adherence, Activity 5

Scheduling, and Cognitive
Restructuring
-Complete Problem-Solving
Sheet

4/22 Relaxation Training 8 100% -Practice Adherence, Activity 4

Scheduling, Cognitive Restruc-
turing, and Problem Solving
-Complete Relaxation Practice
Log

4/29 Review, Maintenance, 8 100% -Continue to Practice Ad- 5

and Relapse herence, Activity Scheduling,
Prevention Cognitive Restructuring,
Problem Solving, and Relaxation
-Practice Relapse Prevention
-Complete 1-Month Review
Sheet

Figure 3.4
Example of Completed Progress Summary Chart

54
Homework Rating Chart
Instructions: Please rate your practice of the following skills for depression treatment since your
last session. Place a check in the column if you tried this skill. Only mark skills that you and your
therapist discussed, because your therapist may go through modules in a different order from how
they’re presented in this manual. Also, it is useful to jot down some notes about your practice so
that you can discuss this with your therapist. This can be done in the right-hand column.

Skills ✓ Notes About Your Homework Practice

Activity Scheduling
Monitor activities and mood on a daily basis
using Activity Log
Incorporate activities that involve pleasure
or mastery into daily schedule

Cognitive Restructuring (Adaptive Thinking)

Identify automatic thoughts
Identify cognitive distortions
Record automatic thoughts and match to
distortions using Thought Record
Challenge automatic thoughts and come up
with a rational response

Problem Solving
Practice problem-solving strategies (articulate
the problem, generate possible solutions,
choose the best alternative)
Break tasks down into manageable steps

Relaxation Training
Diaphragmatic breathing
Progressive muscle relaxation

55
This page intentionally left blank
Chapter 4 Module 2: Adherence Training (Life-Steps)

(Corresponds to chapter 3 of the workbook)

Materials Needed

■ Client’s completed CBT model of depression

■ Adherence Goals Worksheet

■ Reminder stickers for self-care cues

■ Pillbox, if applicable

■ Weekly Adherence Assessment Form

Outline

■ Set agenda

■ Review depression score on CES-D and discuss with client

■ Review client’s treatment adherence over the previous week

■ Review material from previous module

■ Conduct Life-Steps adherence intervention (see table 4.1 for outline of

steps)

■ Review all new plans

■ Assign homework

Therapist Note: It may be important to review the client’s particular

medical concerns before this session and obtain a familiarity with the
types of adherence behaviors needed for his or her illness.

57
Table 4.1 Steps for Conducting Adherence Intervention

Step 1 Provide education, interactively, about adherence.

Step 2 Plan for transportation to medical appointments.

Step 3 Plan for optimizing communication with medical and mental health care providers.

Step 4 Plan for coping with side effects of medications and medical regimen.

Step 5 Plan for obtaining medications or other self-care items.

Step 6 Formulate a daily schedule for medication and other self-care behaviors (i.e., glucose
monitoring for diabetic patients, exercise, etc.).

Step 7 Plan for storing medications.

Step 8 Develop cues for taking medications or implementing other self-care procedures (i.e.,
glucose monitoring).

Step 9 Prepare for adaptively coping with slips in adherence and preventing relapse.

Step 10 Review all plans.

Step 11 Make follow-up phone call (optional).

58
 Because the Life-Steps intervention is composed of multiple steps, we
have included a table outlining them for your use. You may refer to and
use this table as a guide during sessions when conducting the interven-
tion with clients. If you wish, you may photocopy the table from the
book or download it from the TreatmentsThatWork™ website at http://
www.oup.com/us/ttw.

Set Agenda

In this module, setting the expectation that this particular session fo-
cuses on adherence and self-care behaviors allows the therapist and client
to note additional emerging problems for future CBT sessions that more
generally work on depression or life stress. We conceptualize this mod-
ule as providing a foundation for future sessions in that it specifically
addresses the adherence behaviors, whereas additional modules help
treat depression in the context of attempting to maintain these adher-
ence behaviors.

This module focuses on medical adherence and is based on a stand-alone,

evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral and problem-solving intervention
called Life-Steps (Safren et al., 1999). Although the self-care behaviors vary
considerably from illness to illness (e.g., diabetes vs. HIV), the strategies
described can be adapted to address a wide range of medical adherence be-
haviors as outlined in chapter 2. In the context of CBT-AD, we have
adapted this intervention so that it is provided toward the beginning of the
overall treatment after the general session on psychoeducation and moti-
vational interviewing. Additional sessions of CBT-AD refer back to and
integrate the adherence skills and goals identified in this module.

Because CBT-AD focuses on the integration of adherence enhancement

with the treatment of depression, each of the following modules incor-
porates and reviews the adherence behaviors relevant to the particular
client. As discussed in chapter 2, many medical conditions require sig-
nificant behavioral changes that can be increasingly difficult if one suf-
fers from comorbid depression. The specific medical condition and the
adherence behaviors described in chapter 2 are discussed with the client
during this session.

59
 We recommend completing this module on adherence training in one
session; however, for many clients, continued skills training is necessary,
and future sessions can be devoted to review of this material. Subsequent
modules on depression should also continue to incorporate the adher-
ence material, particularly addressing avoidance of self-care behaviors as
a behavioral component of depression.

Review of Depression Severity on CES-D

As in every session, the client completes the CES-D self-report measure

of depression. Briefly review the score and take note of any symptoms
that may have changed from the last measurement. Remember, as ther-
apy progresses it can be helpful to review the total score for each of the
preceding sessions in order to examine what might be helpful in treat-
ment and what might not. Be sure to track scores using the Progress
Summary Chart provided in the previous chapter.

Review of Adherence and Any Medical Changes

As always, the client completes the Weekly Adherence Assessment Form

at the start of the session. Review the completed form and assess any
medical changes since the last session, including changes in the client’s
symptoms, emergence of new symptoms, or any new test results. Use
this review as an opportunity to provide feedback to the client and help
him or her address any problems he or she is having with adherence. If
necessary, renegotiate the planned medical regimen and adapt it to the
client’s needs.

Review of Previous Module

Remind the client that the previous session involved discussion of the
cognitive, behavioral, and physical components of depression. Review
the particular components for the client and remind him or her about
how each of these three components interact, making it easier for de-
pression and poor adherence and self-care to continue. We recommend

60
referring back to the copy of the client’s completed cognitive-behavioral
model from the previous module (figure 3.2).

Remind the client that after this session that emphasizes adherence, the
subsequent modules and sessions seek to interrupt this cycle, targeting
both mental and physical health.

Sample questions for the client include:

■ What other questions do you have about the treatment we are going to
begin?

■ What questions do you have about how it applies to you?

■ What else can you tell me that will help me structure the treatment to
your situation?

■ How has the past week been in terms of your thoughts, behaviors, and
physical symptoms with respect to your mood and your ability to take
care of your illness?

■ What other thoughts do you have about your motivation to do this

treatment?

The point of these questions is to solidify credibility and confidence in

the treatment. Specifically, point out how the cognitive-behavioral model
directly applies to the client’s concerns, and address any questions or is-
sues that emerge.

After this discussion, remind the client that the topic of today’s session
is medical adherence and that future sessions will address depression
more specifically. It is useful to describe self-care behaviors and adher-
ence as a foundation for future sessions. You may use the following
sample dialogue to accomplish this:

In future sessions we’ll really be targeting your depression and working

on skills to help with your mood. In today’s session, we’re going to start
with making sure you have all the best skills to help you manage your
illness. This is important for two reasons. First, making sure that
you’re doing everything you can to manage your illness is the best way
to keep you physically healthy. Second, if you feel less overwhelmed by
your self-care regimen—because you feel like you’ve developed a plan
and have the skills to put that plan into practice—you will also likely

61
 feel less depressed. So, this is where we start, and we come back to these
skills throughout this program. Does that plan make sense to you?

Utilize the CBT model of depression to discuss how the client’s specific
thoughts and behaviors may affect adherence and how this, in turn,
affects the physical condition, which, in turn, can affect depression, con-
tinuing the cycle.

Life-Steps: Adherence and Self-Care Enhancement

Balance of Therapist Flexibility and Utilization of Specific Intervention Components

Although this module, as with the other modules, follows a specific for-
mat (setting an agenda, mood check using the CES-D, review of home-
work and previous material, introduction to the problem-solving steps
for adherence), we also emphasize therapist flexibility. Some of the fol-
lowing self-care items will be relevant to some clients and illnesses, and
others may be less relevant. Hence, each step should start with a brief
discussion about the particular self-care behaviors required for the man-
agement of the client’s illness, with more time spent on those self-care
behaviors that are most problematic or important.

Chapter 2 contains an outline of the types of adherence behaviors needed

for selected medical conditions that have strong adherence components.
Information about the important adherence behaviors required for your
client should be discussed here, depending on his or her particular medi-
cal condition. Additionally, using the client workbook, the therapist and
the client can examine the particular adherence behaviors that will be
targeted in this program.

The Need for Client “Buy In”

The first step of the adherence session involves a discussion of adherence

in successful treatment of a medical condition. Providing an under-
standable rationale for the importance of self-care behaviors is a neces-
sary (but not sufficient) component in helping a client make health-

62
 related behavioral changes. To help instill a sense of self-efficacy, we de-
scribe adherence as a skill that can be learned and utilize education as
one component of this behavioral-change program.

Additionally, although many of the problem-solving steps for the ad-

herence enhancement training stem from general principles of cognitive-
behavioral therapy and also involve information, motivation, and be-
havioral skills training (Fisher & Fisher, 1992), the objectives are to elicit
information about the client’s current difficulties with adherence, incor-
porate them into the discussion of the model, and tailor the particular
training materials to each particular client—making it directly relevant.
Discussion of adherence in the context of the CBT model will also fa-
cilitate improving understanding of the relation of depression and ad-
herence behaviors in hopes of further improving motivation to improve
depression and adherence.

As with the subsequent treatment modules, we have found that the best
way to present the rationale for Life-Steps within the context of CBT
and tailoring it to the clients’ needs is through an interactive discussion
rather than a didactic presentation.

Whenever possible, consultation with the client’s medical provider can

enhance your ability to identify and prioritize important self-care be-
haviors given the client’s current medical status. A collaborative rela-
tionship between the client, the client’s physician, and the therapist is
the ideal context for this treatment.

Suggested discussion points and sample dialogues follow.

The Purpose of This Module Is to Help With Adherence

The purpose of this module is to help you effectively follow the medi-
cal regimen prescribed by your doctor or other health care provider.
For many people with a chronic medical condition, this involves regu-
lar use of medications. For others it also involves other challenging
changes, such as following dietary restrictions, increasing exercise,
monitoring of one’s health using blood or other types of biological tests,
and maintaining medical or mental health appointments.

63
Importance of Adherence

Self-care behaviors and medical adherence are an important part of

the treatment of all chronic illnesses. Sometimes what you do at home
and in your day-to-day life to manage your illness has a much bigger
impact on your health than what happens in your doctor’s office. For
example, in diabetes, it’s estimated that 95% of successful treatment
depends on self-care behaviors. Research has shown that lifestyle
changes for diabetes can be just as powerful as medications in prevent-
ing complications. For HIV, taking your medications on time as close
to every time as possible is the best way to keep your viral load down
and your CD4 cells up. For asthma, carrying your inhaler and taking
your preventive medications regularly is the best way to avoid serious
attacks. So, a lot of managing a chronic illness relies on what you do.
That can be stressful for a lot of people, but it’s also good news because
it means that your health is under your control. In this program, we
want to take as much of the stress of self-care as possible out of the pic-
ture and give you the skills necessary for medical adherence so that you
can feel in control of your illness.

Taking Something That Seems Overwhelming and Making It Automatic

Many people, when first confronted with the number of new things
needed to manage a complicated medical illness, can feel over-
whelmed. Being able to manage your illness doesn’t have to do with
what kind of person you are. It’s something that changes over time
and depends on the skills and support you have to carry out your self-
care regimen. The way you can think about it is that it can be a lot
like learning to drive a car for the first time. First, you need to learn
about all the steps and why they’re important: how to hold the wheel,
how much pressure to apply to the pedals, when to check your mirrors,
and so forth. At first each one of these steps requires a lot of concentra-
tion and effort, but over time, they feel less like steps and more like
automatic behaviors. As much as possible, we want to help you learn
the skills necessary to manage your illness well enough so that you can
incorporate them into your life in a way that makes them feel almost

64
 as automatic as all those steps involved in driving a car. Just like you
learn the steps of driving a car because a car can take you places you
want to go, learning the steps involved in managing your illness and
following through with them is the best way you can get to better
health.

Problem Solving

Problem-solving training refers to a general approach to training

people to cope with stressful or overwhelming problems. One part of
problem solving involves defining the problem and breaking it down
into steps. A future module is dedicated to this general approach, but
before that we are going to directly apply problem solving to medical
adherence.

In problem solving, the first thing needed is to define the problem and
articulate goals. So, that is where we will begin today.

Articulation of Adherence Goals: Review of Medical Illness Components

In order to have a basis for the material that follows, identify and discuss
the medical adherence behaviors that are relevant to your client and col-
laboratively identify the particular adherence behaviors that will be tar-
geted in this program.

With your help, the client will use the Adherence Goals worksheet in the
corresponding workbook to write down a list of the self-care adherence
behaviors that will be targeted during the subsequent steps. Sample
completed forms for clients with two different chronic illnesses are pro-
vided in figures 4.1 and 4.2.

Refer to chapter 2 and review the relevant material for the specific illness
that the client has. If the client has an illness that is not reviewed in this
manual, use this part of the session to elicit adherence goals. Again, it
is important to consult with the client’s health care provider to under-
stand what is most important for his or her health and to help formulate
self-care/adherence goals.

65
Adherence Goals Worksheet

Name Date

Generate a list of adherence/self-care goals and write them here.

Goal 1: Monitor blood glucose twice a day
Goal 2: Take oral medications twice daily
Goal 3: Carry insulin and take as needed
Goal 4: Follow daily dietary recommendations
Goal 5: Exercise (cardio) for 30 minues three times a week
Figure 4.1.
Example of Completed List of Adherence Goals for Patient With Diabetes

Discuss each behavior and reinforce the client’s understanding of adher-

ence by summarizing the benefits of adherence and consequences of
nonadherence. Also explain that adhering to his or her regimen is a skill
that may be challenging to learn but can be done.

As you work with the client to formulate a plan and a backup plan for
the adherence steps that follow, some information is needed from the
client to more effectively tailor aspects of this intervention to his or her
needs. You may ask your client the following questions in order to facili-
tate a discussion about barriers to and facilitators of adherence.

Before we start, what thoughts do you have regarding adherence to

your medical regimen (i.e., taking pills, monitoring glucose)? What
may get in the way of adhering to your regimen (i.e., schedule, forget-
ting, negative thoughts, depression, etc.)?

Example:
■ When do you usually tend to forget to take your medications (e.g.,
in the morning, at night, on weekends, when you go out)?
■ How do you remember to take your medications (e.g., an alarm
clock, take with breakfast or when doing another activity)?
■ Do you sometimes feel so down that you do not feel like taking
your medications?

66
Adherence Goals Worksheet

Name Date

Generate a list of adherence/self-care goals and write them here.

Goal 1: Take my medications on time every day
Goal 2: Schedule and attend medical visits every 3 months with my doctor
Goal 3: Remember to take Metamucil daily for side effects
Goal 4: Exercise (lift weights) three times a week
Figure 4.2.
Example of Completed List of Adherence Goals for HIV-Infected Patient

When you look at your medications (or glucose monitor, etc.) what
goes through your mind?

Probe for negative thinking to address as barriers to medication adher-

ence and to later discuss during the module on cognitive restructuring.
Examples of negative thoughts that can interfere with adherence and
add to depression follow. (Note: workbook has space for client to list
thoughts.)

1. The medication is going to make me feel sick (e.g., I will get a

headache, feel nauseous).
2. The medications do not help me anyway so why bother?
3. The medications hurt me more than they help me.

What are your reasons for following this regimen (i.e., goals, family
members, significant others)? What are your top five reasons for stay-
ing adherent and taking care of your medical illness? (Note: work-
book has space for client to list reasons.)

Example:
1. I want to be alive for my daughter’s graduation.
2. I want to be healthy enough to volunteer some of my time.
3. I want to be able to do my artwork once again.
4. I don’t want to have to be hospitalized again.
5. I want to avoid additional medical complications.

67
Transition to Problem-Solving Steps

Introduce and explain the process of solving problems related to adher-

ence. You may use the following sample dialogue:

We are now going to go through a list of problems that some people

have with medical adherence. By addressing each problem related to
adherence, solving it, and continuing to practice, you can make suc-
cessful adherence a part of your routine.

We will use a technique called AIM to solve some of your adherence-

related problems.

The first step of AIM is to:

■ Articulate the particular adherence goal.

The second step is to:

■ Identify barriers to reaching the goal.

The final step is to:

■ Make a plan to overcome the barriers, as well as to develop a
backup plan.

These steps are provided in outline form; however, each area is meant to
be a discussion, with the client noting the goal, the barriers, and the plan
for each in the spaces provided in the workbook.

Life-Steps

Life-Step 1: Getting to Appointments

This first step will help your client utilize problem-solving skills to help
him or her identify measures that will facilitate getting to medical
appointments.

68
 AIM

1. Articulate the adherence goal regarding medical appointments.

Suggested questions:
■ How often do you have medical appointments?
■ Where do you go to have these medical appointments?

2. Identify potential barriers:

Suggested questions:
■ What might cause you to miss appointments? (e.g., varying work
schedules, work during clinic hours, children, long distance from
clinic)

3. Make a plan and a backup plan:

Suggested questions:
■ How will you get to your appointments in case the weather is bad
or you can’t go the way you usually go? (e.g., is there public trans-
portation nearby, does clinic have a medical van for pickup, can
you call and reschedule?)
■ How can you schedule them and make sure you remember?

Develop a backup plan in case problems arise (e.g., schedule appointments

early in the morning or later in the afternoon, go during lunch hour,
know public transportation schedules in case other transportation fails).

Life-Step 2: Communicating With Treatment Team

Communication with one’s medical provider can be a key component of

treatment success. We have found that many clients have difficulties re-
membering questions to ask their provider, become nervous during
medical visits, and forget information. It is important to discuss the issue
of communication with the client and to come up with a plan that
makes sense for the client in terms of meeting his or her goals at the next
medical visit.

69
 AIM

1. Articulate any questions or comments that the client would like to

ask or discuss with his or her medical provider.

Suggested questions:
■ During your next visit with your doctor, what questions do you
want to ask about your symptoms, medications, medication side
effects, or recommended self-care behaviors (e.g., questions about
diet, exercise)?

2. Identify potential barriers to communication with the client’s

medical provider:

Suggested questions:
■ What might cause you to not ask your doctor the questions that
you have (e.g., you feel uncomfortable talking about those symp-
toms; you always forget; your doctor just changed and you feel
uncomfortable with the new doctor; your doctor is too busy to
answer your questions)?

3. Make a plan and a backup plan to overcome barriers:

Suggested questions:
■ How will you remember the questions that you want to ask your
doctor? (Suggest to the client that he or she write them down
on an index card to bring to the medical visit.)
■ Rehearse/role-play with client about asking questions in order to:
■ Assess difficulties in communication
■ Address embarrassment/discomfort
■ Address irrational fears about asking questions
■ Help client to ask provider for full explanations in case
providers seem too busy due to time pressures
■ After rehearsing, ask: What other concerns do you have regard-
ing being able to ask your questions of your doctor?

70
Life-Step 3: Coping With Side Effects

Side effects are present in many treatment regimens and encompass an

especially important area for client-provider communication and col-
laboration. There are many potential solutions to side effects, but many
side effects have remedies that vary across illnesses. You can help the
client to identify the side effects that are distressful to him or her and
then ask the client to always consult with their physician about ways to
manage them. The physician can further assess the side effects and iden-
tify strategies to address them. In collaboration with the client’s physi-
cian, you can work with the client on using the strategies to manage the
side effects. Also, it is important for clients to understand that in many
cases, with medication adherence, side effects decrease over time so that
they do not allow side effects to decrease medication adherence.

AIM

1. Articulate any problems with adherence that may emerge due to

side effects.

Suggested questions:
■ What kinds of side effects do you have from your medications
(e.g., headaches, nausea, muscle aches)?
■ Which medications do you think are causing these side effects?

2. Identify potential barriers:

Suggested questions:
■ Have your side effects gotten in the way of taking your medications?
■ What have you done about the side effects so far? Have you been
talking to your doctor about these side effects?

3. Make a plan and a backup plan:

Suggested questions:
■ Will you be able to talk to your doctor about these side effects to
see what else can be done to help you, like give you other medica-
tions or change these?

71
 ■ In the meantime, do you think that you can continue to take
the medications as prescribed until you speak to your doctor
about them?
■ Refer to upcoming module on relaxation and diaphragmatic
breathing, which can be helpful in coping with side effects.

Life-Step 4: Obtaining Medications and Other Relevant Health-Related Products

Encourage the client to work with his or her provider to develop a plan
for continued access to medications or other products (i.e., monitoring
devices). The plan should include information regarding payment op-
tions, pharmacy selection, backup plans for transportation or other issues,
plans for refilling prescriptions, and management of client-pharmacist
transactions.

AIM

1. Articulate the adherence goal of always having a sufficient supply

of medications and needed supplies.

Suggested questions:
■ Where do you get your medications and medical supplies?
■ How do you pay for your medications and medical supplies?
■ How do you get to your pharmacy?
■ Have you ever run out of your medications or medical supplies?
■ When do you ask for a medication refill from your pharmacy?
■ When do you ask for a prescription refill from your doctor?

2. Identify potential barriers:

■ What might cause you to run out of your medications or other
needed medical supplies?
■ What might get in the way of getting to your pharmacy?

If the client identifies privacy/confidentiality concerns, role-play rehearsal

(with cognitive restructuring) for requesting a private discussion with
pharmacist.

72
 ■ What might get in the way of getting another prescription from
your doctor?

3. Make a plan and a backup plan:

■ How will you get to your pharmacy?
■ If there is bad weather, how will you get to your pharmacy?
■ Can you set up a medication mail-in so that your medications
can be mailed to you directly?
■ How can you make sure that you do not run out of your medications?
■ How can you make sure that you do not run out of prescription
refills?

Life-Step 5: Formulating a Daily Medication Schedule

This step involves groundwork for cue-control strategies (see Life-Step

7) and additional problem-solving techniques to help clients to remem-
ber to take their medications. Review of medication schedule also allows
for a chance to correct misunderstandings about the dosage schedules
(such as need to keep daily exact dosage schedule if identified by medi-
cal provider).

Although the examples provided refer to taking medication as the self-

care behavior, the same approach can be used to address other behaviors
relevant to medical adherence, such as exercise, following dietary rec-
ommendations, monitoring blood glucose, and so forth. Therefore, given
the particular needs of each client, you may cycle through this section
several times, addressing various aspects of self-care separately (e.g., tak-
ing medications, engaging in exercise, following diet, etc.).

Using the Medical Regimen Schedule worksheet in the workbook, help

the client complete a detailed map of an average day of taking medications
and specify environmental and other cues for taking meds throughout
the day. If medication adherence is problematic, it may be useful to use
this worksheet for each day in the week or a weekday and a weekend. In-
formation on the client’s prescribed medication regimen and other ad-
herence goals are found in the Weekly Adherence Assessment form and
the Adherence Goals worksheet in the workbook. Use the Weekly Ad-
herence Assessment to determine the ideal times and conditions (e.g., on

73
 an empty stomach vs. with food) for taking medications and complet-
ing other self-care activities. Also discuss variation in a “typical” sched-
ule and include examples from weekend and holiday schedules. A
sample completed worksheet is shown in figure 4.3.

AIM

1. Articulate the adherence goal of remembering to take medications/

follow medical regimen.

Suggested questions:
■ When do you take your medications?
■ How do you remember to take your medications?
■ How often do you need to exercise?
■ How often do you need to perform other self-management behav-
iors (e.g., self-monitoring of blood glucose)?

2. Identify potential barriers:

Suggested questions:
■ When do you tend to forget to take your medications? (Identify
specific times that are potential risks for missing doses; e.g., week-
ends due to disruptions in routine.)
■ Do you take your medications at a usual time when you are
doing something else (like cup of coffee and toast in the morning;
getting home from work; during nightly news)?
■ What gets in the way of exercising regularly?
■ What gets in the way of adhering to your diet?

3. Make a plan and a backup plan:

Suggested questions:
■ What activities can you do at the same time as you take your
medication so that each time you do it, you will remember to
take your medications, too (e.g., during breakfast, with an after-
noon snack)?
■ When would be the best times to schedule exercise?
■ How can you be sure to follow what you need to with respect
to diet?

74
Medical Regimen Schedule

Day of the Week: Tuesday

Adherence Goals: Take all prescribed medications
Check glucose 3xs
Take 2 insulin doses
Increase physical activity

Time Daily Activity Adherence Goal

Morning
6:30 Wake up & use bathroom
7:00 Get dressed Check glucose level and take insulin
7:30 Eat breakfast
8:00 Drive to work Take morning medications
9:00 Arrive at work
10:00 Work
11:00 Snack break

Afternoon
12:00 Work
1:00 Lunch Check glucose level after lunch
2:00–4:00 Work
4:00 Snack break
5:00 Leave work

Evening
6:00 Go to gym Physical activity
7:00 Eat dinner Take evening medications
8:00–10:00 Watch TV Take insulin after dinner
10:00 Read the paper Check glucose level
10:30 Go to bed

Figure 4.3.
Example of Completed Medical Regimen Schedule

75
 ■ Backup plans: What if it is a raining and you had planned to
walk outside? What if you forget to take your medications/
insulin?

Life-Step 6: Storing Medications and Medical Supplies

Some medications require safe and portable storage or refrigeration, re-

quiring problem-solving skills to address this issue.

AIM

1. Articulate the adherence goal of properly storing medications,

even when not at home. For diabetes, carrying and storing glucose
monitoring equipment, insulin, and syringe and needles may be of
issue (particularly in the summer). For HIV, clients may wish to
find private places to keep their medications.

Suggested questions:
■ If you leave home, do you take your medications (oral or in-
jectable) with you if you know you will not be back in time for
your dose?
■ How do you carry your medications (oral or injectable) or medi-
cal monitoring devices with you when you go out (e.g., do you
keep them in a pillbox or a bag )?

2. Identify potential barriers:

Suggested questions:
■ Where do you keep your medications when you go out and bring
them with you?
■ Do any of your medications need to be refrigerated?
■ What will you do about storing medications when you are away
from home?

3. Make a plan and a backup plan:

Suggested questions:

76
 ■ If medications need to be refrigerated, ask: What can you do
instead of storing your medications in work or others’ refrigera-
tors? Suggest refrigerated lunch bag with an icepack instead?
■ Let’s take a look at your dose time again and see if you can take
your doses in such a way that you will not have to worry about
keeping your medication cold (this is to avoid refrigeration for
medications that retain their potency for a number of hours).
■ Would you be able to buy and use a small Ziplock bag or a pill-
box for each dose of the day? That way you can mark each bag
with the appropriate time you are supposed to take your medica-
tions and any other things you need to remember about them,
like certain foods to eat or not eat with them and refrigeration
information.
■ Suggest small bag for diabetes medical supplies (e.g., insulin
or monitoring devices).
■ Suggest having backups that are kept in the client’s car trunk
or glove compartment.

Life-Step 7: Cue-Control Strategies for Taking Medications

This step can help clients learn strategies for remembering to take medi-
cations and for rehearsing adaptive thoughts of adherence each time
they look at the cues.

Introduce the client to a system for reminding him- or herself to take

medications. Round, colored adhesive stickers can be placed in or around
the home or workplace as reminder strategies. The client should also
place a sticker on a note card and write on the card a particular issue he
or she wants to be reminded of when he or she sees the reminder stick-
ers elsewhere (e.g., “Remember, I am taking my pills because I want to
be healthy for my grandchildren”). This provides a link between the
adaptive thoughts identified in Life-Step 1 and the dots in the client’s en-
vironment.

77
 AIM

1. Articulate the adherence goal of using strategies to improve moti-

vation for and to remember to take medications.

Suggested questions:
■ How do you usually help remind yourself to take your medications?
■ What do you think about when you know it is time to take your
medications?

2. Identify potential barriers:

Suggested questions:
■ What things do you think may keep you from using the dots? Do
you think the dots would be helpful reminders of taking your
medications?

3. Make a plan and a backup plan:

Suggested questions:
■ Where can you place each dot so that you can see it at each dosing
time (e.g., near doorknob inside the house, near lock outside door,
bathroom mirror, work computer, phone receiver, or other helpful
places)?
■ What other things do you think you can use to help you remem-
ber your medications (e.g., link taking medications with trips to
the bathroom upon awakening and before going to bed, pillboxes
with built-in timer alarms, wake-up call service, clocks or timers
that chime on the hour or half-hour, and use of computers to
sound alarms at designated times)?

Life-Step 8: Handling Slips in Adherence

This step may help clients to prepare to recover from missing doses, laps-
ing from an exercise routine, or breaking their diet regimen, which, in
the long run, is likely to occur. If a lapse occurs, the best choice is to re-
turn to one’s adherence program as soon as possible instead of acting on
hopeless thoughts and giving up. Identifying what led to the lapse can
provide important information that can help solidify the skills and avoid

78
 future lapses. It should be stressed that lapses are normal and not a big
problem. They only become a big problem when they lead to relapse and
giving up on the self-care regimen.

Many clients feel that progress in behavioral change will be linear. How-
ever, in behavioral-change programs, progress actually happens in the
context of the normal ups and downs of life. Hence, there will be good
days and bad days. A discussion of the graph shown in figure 4.4 can
help clients to improve their expectations about what behavioral change
really looks like. Point to the graph and discuss how most clients expect
change to happen steadily and consistently in contrast to how progress
usually happens, with its ebbs and flows over the sessions. At times in
treatment, clients may experience a worsening of symptoms or a lapse in
their ability to employ behavioral skills. Instead of reacting to these as
failures, these are opportunities to gather information about what con-
tributed to the negative change and to allow new learning. It is impor-

WhatWhat
progress
progress
Improvement Graph usually
usually lookslooks
like like

What many
What many clie
expect progres
clients expect
look like
Progress

progress to
look like
Progress

Figure 4.4.
S Sessions
i
Improvement Graph

79
 tant for the therapist to normalize these lapses. Over the long run, suc-
cessfully dealing with these short-term lapses will help clients be able to
maintain treatment outcomes.

AIM

1. Articulate the adherence goal of understanding that making a

change takes time and practice—slips can happen.

Suggested questions:
■ How would you feel if one day you forget to take your medica-
tions or sleep through the time for them or are sick and do not
feel like taking them?
■ How would you feel if one day you don’t follow through with an
exercise or diet plan that you had set for yourself?
■ What would you do if that happens?

2. Identify potential barriers:

Suggested questions:
■ What kinds of thoughts do you think may keep you from restart-
ing your medical regimen if you have a slip?

3. Make a plan and a backup plan:

Suggested questions:
■ What can you do to pick yourself up and start where you left off
before you had a slip? (Encourage clients to avoid all-or-nothing
thinking when a slip occurs.)
■ What can you learn from a lapse that will help you avoid another
in the future?

Review of Procedures

Review the previous steps and assess whether the client has understood
the rationale behind each one. Doing this can help the client remember
the strategies discussed during the session. Have the client write out any
action items in the space provided in the workbook (e.g., questions to

80
 ask physician, placing the colored dots, and purchasing a refrigerator
bag, pillbox, or an alarm watch/clock). Ask the client if he or she has
any questions or concerns.

Is there anything else that may get in the way of your doing any of the
steps that we just reviewed?

Lastly, review the specifics of the plan and backup plan for each of the
adherence steps discussed.

Follow-Up (Optional)

You may schedule a follow-up phone call with the client before your next
session to review strategies and cues specified during the session, to assess
the emergence of any new problems/barriers and explore alternative so-
lutions, and to determine whether additional sessions focused on adher-
ence are needed.

Homework

For this module, the homework is inherent in each of the steps previ-
ously described. During the review, the therapist and client go over all of
the particular action items for the client for the next session. Remind the
client that this session covered adherence to medical regimens and that
future sessions will begin the work that targets depression and integrates
treating depression with self-care.

81
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Chapter 5 Module 3: Activity Scheduling

(Corresponds to chapter 4 of the workbook)

Materials Needed

■ Positive Events Checklist

■ Activity Log

Outline

■ Set agenda

■ Review depression score on CES-D and discuss with client

■ Review client’s treatment adherence over the previous week and

problem-solve any emerging difficulties or slips

■ Review material and homework from previous modules

■ Introduce activity scheduling

■ Work with client to identify pleasurable activities

■ Assign homework

Set Agenda

The purpose of this module is to help clients activate themselves. A key

behavioral component of depression is the absence of pleasurable events.
During this session, clients will learn to identify times and situations
when they are more and less likely to feel depressed. Despite chronic ill-
ness, it is important, with respect to managing mood, to be engaged in

83
 enjoyable activities. Clients will use the Positive Events Checklist in the
workbook to identify activities that involve pleasure or mastery.

It is estimated that it will take one session to lay the groundwork for
activity scheduling but that activity scheduling will be a part of future
sessions on cognitive restructuring. Some individuals will require addi-
tional sessions to learn about pacing. This can be done as part of addi-
tional modules or can involve dedicating full sessions to reviewing
activities, pacing suggestions, and overcoming barriers to activities. Note,
however, that the problem-solving and cognitive restructuring modules
are forthcoming, so if extensive problem-solving is required or if nega-
tive thoughts are barriers to activity scheduling, it may be important to
complete those modules first and then return to activity scheduling.

Review of Depression Severity on CES-D

As in every session, the client completes the CES-D self-report measure

of depression. Briefly review the score and take note of any symptoms
that may have changed from the last measurement. Remember, as ther-
apy progresses it can be helpful to review the total score for each of the
preceding sessions in order to examine what might be helpful in treat-
ment and what might not. Be sure to track scores using the Progress
Summary Chart provided in chapter 3.

Review of Adherence and Any Medical Changes

The client also completes the Weekly Adherence Assessment Form. This
form is included in the corresponding client workbook. Be sure to assess
any medical changes since the last session, including changes in symp-
toms or emergence of new symptoms, or new test results. Also review
the relation of these medical changes to adherence behavior and corre-
lation with mood.

84
Review of Previous Modules and Homework

Review: CBT Model of Depression

Review the model with the client and remind him or her of the cogni-
tive, behavioral, and physical components of depression and how they
interact, making it easier for depression and poor adherence and poor
self-care to continue. This can be used as a setup for the present module,
stating that the goal, after review, is to attack the behavioral component
of depression. If necessary, refer back to the copy of the client’s com-
pleted CBT model from chapter 3.

Review: Life-Steps

Remind the client that the last session focused on learning how to effec-
tively follow the medical regimen prescribed by his or her doctor or
other health care provider. Review the importance of self-care behaviors
and medical adherence, as well as the problem-solving technique (AIM)
demonstrated in the previous session. Make additional plans or backup
plans for any new strategy that did not work out.

Activity Scheduling

Introduce activity scheduling by referring back to the cognitive-behavioral

model of depression discussed in chapter 3. Remind the client that the
behavioral component of depression refers to the particular behaviors
that he or she does or does not do because of depression. The client may
be avoiding situations that normally provide him or her with pleasure or
make him or her feel competent. If the client does not engage in plea-
surable activities however, depression may increase.

Be sure to address the possibility that the client may not be able to par-
ticipate in enjoyable activities because of the physical limitations of his

85
 or her illness (e.g., an asthmatic client who can’t engage in physical ex-
ercise such as hiking or jogging). Work with the client to brainstorm al-
ternative options (e.g., going for a short walk in the evenings around the
neighborhood). Additionally, problem solving for medication taking or
other aspects of self-care should be appropriately integrated into the
elicitation of potential positive events to engage in by clients with a medi-
cal illness.

Positive Events Checklist

Using the Positive Events Checklist, work with the client to create a list
of events that he or she no longer does but used to do before becoming
depressed and/or chronically ill. The goal of this exercise is to identify
activities that the client can begin to participate in once again that will
make him or her feel more positive and that can be done in conjunction
with the limitations of a chronic illness.

We recommend going over the entire list with the client in the session.
The reason is that, in our experience, clients with depression seem to
quickly jump to the conclusion that they do not have any interests or
that any interests they do have will not be possible to do now that they
are ill. We find that a discussion of each and every item in the list ends
up helping with client rapport and helps a discussion of a large number
of simple and more involved activities that the client can do as hobbies
or pleasurable activities during the day.

We also recommend helping clients, throughout the remainder of the

treatment, to stay engaged in regularly occurring positive activities.
Hence, future modules all include checking back with clients regarding
the material presented in this module. Ideally, clients can learn about
some new type of regularly occurring activity that they can participate
in so that they can see and meet new people on a regular basis. For ex-
ample, if a person has a pet, he or she can go to the same park every day
when the park is full and eventually meet the other pet owners. If the
person is interested in art, potentially he or she can join an art group that
meets weekly or monthly. Scheduling medication taking and other self-
care activities should be part of the discussion—to problem-solve ways
around these activities.

86
 It is also important to set appropriate expectations regarding reengaging
in these activities. For example, if the client has the goal of meeting new
friends by joining a club, he or she cannot expect to have new friends
after the first or second event. However, if the client goes to a regularly
occurring activity, it is likely that over time he or she will see some of the
same people and slowly get to know them and establish relationships.

Activity Log

The goals of the activity log are for the client (1) to learn firsthand the
association of mood symptoms to activities and (2) to gain a sense of his
or her limits in terms of his or her physical symptoms. Understanding
the association of mood and activities may be much more effective than
recall, because individuals with depression tend to view their previous
week consistently with their mood state. This can result in a belief that
the entire week was negative, when, in fact, clients, through monitoring,
can learn that there are some parts of the week that are actually enjoy-
able. This can then be a baseline for decreasing more depressogenic ac-
tivities and increasing activities that promote positive affect.

Regarding their limits for pacing, it is important to monitor symptoms

of their illness so that the frequency and quality of positive activities can
be maximized. Living with a chronic illness may mean that the client
may not be able to do everything that he or she wants to do. For ex-
ample, a client who suffers from fatigue may be better off resting the day
before his or her daughter’s soccer game to have enough energy to at-
tend. The client may also need to plan to rest the day after the game, as
he or she will likely be tired. Having the expectation of symptoms based
on one’s previous pattern can allow you and the client both to minimize
the degree to which symptomatic “flare-ups” arise in an unexpected
or unpredictable way and to develop a plan to prevent and treat such
flare-ups.

The client will begin using the Activity Log in the workbook to moni-
tor daily activities (what he or she is doing during the relevant time pe-
riods, what his or her mood is like during those times, and any medical
symptoms experienced during those times). Instruct the client to also se-
lect the most prominent medical symptom of his or her illness to moni-

87
Table 5.1. Positive Events Checklist
1. Going to lunch with a friend 32. Getting a pet (or playing with 67. Going shopping
2. Speaking to a friend on the someone else’s dog or cat) 68. Lying in the sun
telephone 33. Mountain biking 69. Laughing
3. Going to a movie 34. Apple picking 70. Reading magazines or
4. Relaxing in a park or back- 35. Weightlifting newspapers
yard 36. Playing chess or other 71. Hobbies (model building,
5. Reading a book for pleasure board games scrapbook making, etc.)
6. Going for a walk with a 37. Going to a comedy club 72. Spending an evening with
friend or partner 38. Playing golf / miniature golf good friends
7. Going out for ice cream or 39. Going to the driving range 73. Planning a day’s activities
sugar-free frozen yogurt on 40. Curling 74. Meeting new people
a warm evening 41. Playing Frisbee 75. Eating healthful foods
8. Attending a play or show 42. Telling jokes and funny 76. Practicing karate, judo,
9. Playing a game with a child stories kickboxing
or friend 43. People watching 77. Thinking about retirement
10. Having a special meal or 44. Going window shopping 78. Tackling home improve-
treat 45. Stargazing ment projects
11. Taking a bubble bath 46. Rock climbing (indoor 79. Repairing things around
12. Creating art on your com- climbing wall) the house
puter 47. Blowing bubbles 80. Working on car or bicycle
13. Building or upgrading a 48. Going to a toy store or motorcycle
computer 49. Bird watching 81. Wearing sexy clothes
14. Taking digital photos 50. Going on a nature walk 82. Having quiet evenings
15. Baking 51. Having a cup of tea 83. Taking care of my plants
16. Creating glass art 52. Playing cards with friends / 84. Buying, selling stock
17. Organizing pictures establishing a “poker night” 85. Swimming
18. Helping other people 53. Going to an arcade 86. Doodling, drawing, painting
19. Volunteering 54. Surfing the Internet 87. Exercising
20. Cooking a gourmet meal 55. Downloading songs to your 88. Going to a party
21. Renting a movie MP3 player 89. Playing soccer
22. Making jewelry 56. Chatting online 90. Flying kites
23. Getting a manicure or 57. Watching TV 91. Having discussions with
pedicure 58. Using TiVo or DVR to friends
24. Rollerblading record your favorite shows 92. Having family get-togethers
25. Getting involved in your 59. Playing video games online 93. Having safe sex
community 60. Starting a collection 94. Going camping
26. Donating money to the (stamps, coins, shells, etc.) 95. Singing
charity of your choice 61. Going on a date 96. Arranging flowers
27. Joining a gym 62. Relaxing 97. Practicing religion (going to
28. Playing bocce, racquetball, 63. Jogging, walking, running church, group praying, etc.)
or squash 64. Thinking I have done a full 98. Going to the beach
29. Snowshoeing day’s work 99. Having class reunions
30. Kayaking 65. Listening to music 100. Going skating
31. Redecorating your home 66. Recalling fond memories 101. Going sailboating

88
102. Planning a trip or vacation 130. Going bike riding 159. Seeing and/or showing
103. Doing something sponta- 131. Buying gifts photos or slides
neous 132. Traveling to national parks 160. Playing pool
104. Doing needlepoint, cro- 133. Going to a spectator sport 161. Dressing up and looking
cheting, or knitting (auto racing, horse racing, nice
105. Going on a scenic drive etc.) 162. Reflecting on how I’ve
106. Entertaining / having a party 134. Teaching improved
107. Joining a social club (e.g., 135. Fishing 163. Talking on the phone
garden club, Parents with- 136. Playing with animals 164. Going to museums
out Partners, etc.) 137. Acting 165. Lighting candles
108. Flirting / kissing 138. Writing in a journal 166. Listening to the radio
109. Playing musical instruments 139. Writing and sending letters 167. Getting a massage
110. Doing arts and crafts or e-mails 168. Saying “I love you”
111. Making a gift for someone 140. Cleaning 169. Thinking about my good
112. Buying music (records, 141. Taking an exercise class qualities
CDs, etc.) 142. Watching comedy 170. Taking a sauna or a steam
113. Watching sports on television 143. Taking a class bath
114. Cooking 144. Learning a new language 171. Skiing (cross-country or
115. Going on a hike 145. Doing crossword puzzles, downhill)
116. Writing word jumbles, playing 172. Whitewater rafting
117. Buying clothes Sudoku 173. Bowling
118. Going out to dinner 146. Performing magic tricks 174. Woodworking
119. Discussing books / joining 147. Getting a new haircut 175. Taking dance classes (bal-
a book club 148. Going to a stylist let, tap, salsa, ballroom, etc.)
120. Sightseeing 149. Going to a bookstore 176. Sitting in a sidewalk café
121. Gardening 150. Buying books 177. Having an aquarium
122. Going to a spa 151. Dancing 178. Erotica (sex books, movies)
123. Going out for coffee 152. Going on a picnic 179. Horseback riding
124. Playing tennis 153. Meditating 180. Doing something new
125. Doing yoga / stretching 154. Playing volleyball 181. Doing jigsaw puzzles
126. Being with / playing with 155. Going to the mountains 182. Thinking I’m a person who
children 156. Splurging / treating yourself can cope
127. Going to concerts 157. Having a political discussion 183. Going sledding
128. Planning to go to school 158. Playing softball 184. Going to the mall
129. Refinishing furniture 185. Making a home video

Adapted from Hickling & Blanchard, 2006; Linehan et al., 1993; and from brainstorming of the authors and col-
leagues.

89
90

Activity Log
Rate activities for mood (1–10). 1 ⫽ bad mood, 10 ⫽ best mood.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Morning Went to bank-2 Slept late, Bed/TV-2 Read a book-6 Watched TV-4 Exercised while Had a nice
Dr. visit-5 stayed in bed, Had coffee-4 listening to brunch-5
watched TV-2 music-8
Exercised-4
Watched TV-4

Afternoon Took a ride Mostly watched Hung around the Went out for My sister Kathy Went to store-6 Kathy picked
with a friend TV, hung around house, used the the afternoon: came by with Walked to park me up and we
who is courier the house, used Internet, Visited book- card for me-8 and read-8 went to my
all over Eastern the Internet-2 watched TV-2 store-8 Talked on phone sister’s-8
Mass-8 Read outside of with a friend-7
bookstore-8 Had coffee-5
Walked around
the stores-7

Evening Watched TV-4 Watched TV-4 Dinner at my Cleaned shelves Watched TV-4 Watched TV-4 Dinner party
Took bills to my sister’s house-8 and back hall-6 with my
sister’s-4 Watched TV-4 sisters for my
birthday-8

Figure 5.1.
Example of Completed Activity Log
 tor (e.g., if fatigue is a concern, rate level of fatigue; if pain is a concern,
rate level of pain). If the client does not experience symptoms, he or she
should enter a “0” as the daily symptom rating. Clients with diabetes
should also use the log to record their glucose levels.

A sample, filled-out Activity Log is shown in figure 5.1.

Homework

✎ Client should continue practicing adherence skills from his or her

adherence action item list.

✎ Instruct the client to begin incorporating pleasant activities into his or

her daily schedule (ideally, make a specific goal with the client of spe-
cific activities to try, or a goal such as “do at least one pleasant activity
per day”).

✎ Client should monitor activity and mood levels on a daily basis using
the Activity Log in the workbook.

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Chapter 6 Module 4: Cognitive Restructuring
(Adaptive Thinking)

(Corresponds to chapters 5 and 6 of the workbook)

COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING Part I

Materials Needed

■ Preliminary Instructions for Cognitive Restructuring

■ Cognitive Distortions List

■ Thought Record

Outline

■ Set agenda

■ Review depression score on CES-D and discuss with client

■ Review client’s treatment adherence over the previous week and

problem-solve any emerging difficulties or slips

■ Review material and homework from previous modules

■ Explain the technique of cognitive restructuring

■ Discuss cognitive distortions and automatic thoughts

■ Introduce the 4-Column Thought Record and show client how to use
it to monitor automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions

■ Assign homework

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Set Agenda

It is estimated that it will take approximately five sessions to deliver the

information in this module. The first two sessions will be used to train
the client in the technique of cognitive restructuring. The therapist will
teach the client adaptive thinking skills for depression and living with a
chronic illness. The remaining sessions will focus on rehearsing and
practicing the skills learned and integrating cognitive restructuring with
activity scheduling and self-care/medication adherence.

Review of Depression Severity on CES-D

As in every session, the client completes the CES-D self-report measure

of depression. Briefly review the score and take note of any symptoms
that may have changed from the last measurement. Remember, as ther-
apy progresses it can be helpful to review the total score for each of the
preceding sessions in order to examine what might be helpful in treat-
ment and what might not. Be sure to track scores using the Progress
Summary Chart provided in chapter 3.

Review of Adherence and Any Medical Changes

The client also completes the Weekly Adherence Assessment Form. Be

sure to assess any medical changes since the last session, including changes
in symptoms or emergence of new symptoms, or new test results. Also
review the relation of these medical changes to adherence behavior and
correlation with mood. When reviewing the adherence form, it is im-
portant to make a plan and a backup plan for any slips in adherence
from the previous week.

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Review of Previous Modules and Homework

Review: CBT Model of Depression

Review the model with the client and remind him or her of the cogni-
tive, behavioral, and physical components of depression and how they
interact, making it easier for depression and poor adherence and poor
self-care to continue. If necessary, refer back to the copy of the client’s
completed CBT model from chapter 3. Use this as an introduction
to the current module, which focuses on the cognitive component of
depression.

Review: Life-Steps

Remind client about how to effectively follow the medical regimen pre-
scribed by his or her doctor or other health care provider. Review the im-
portance of self-care behaviors and medical adherence, as well as the
problem-solving technique (AIM). Make additional plans or backup
plans for any new strategy that did not work out.

Review: Activity Scheduling

Spend time carefully reviewing activity scheduling, using the client’s com-
pleted Activity Log for the previous week to point out times when his or
her mood was elevated and times when his or her mood was depressed.
Use this as a justification to maximize pleasurable activities. Look for any
patterns with respect to symptoms (or, for diabetic patients, glucose lev-
els) and their relationship to mood, and make a corrective action plan as
needed.

Cognitive Restructuring

We have split the cognitive restructuring information into two parts,

with the first focusing on identifying automatic thoughts and matching

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 them to cognitive distortions. Preliminary instructions for cognitive re-
structuring are provided for the client in the workbook. We have also in-
cluded them here as a reference. The information that follows loosely
corresponds to the instruction sheet. While you go over this material,
the client can follow along in the workbook.

Preliminary Instructions for Cognitive Restructuring

The purpose of using Thought Records is to identify and modify negative au-
tomatic thoughts in situations that lead to feeling overwhelmed.

The first step in learning to think in more useful ways is to become more
aware of these thoughts and their relationship to your feelings. If you are an-
ticipating a stressful situation or a task that is making you feel overwhelmed,
write out your thoughts regarding this situation.

If a situation has already passed and you find that you are thinking about it
negatively, list your thoughts for this situation.

The first column of the Thought Record is for you to provide a description
of the situation.

The second column is for you to list your thoughts during a stressful, over-
whelming, or uncontrollable situation.

The third column is for you to write down what emotions you are having
and what your mood is like when you are thinking these thoughts (e.g., de-
pressed, sad, angry).

The fourth column is for you to see whether your thoughts match the list of
“cognitive distortions.” These may include:

■ All-or-nothing thinking

■ Overgeneralizations

■ Jumping to conclusions: Fortune-telling/mind reading

■ Magnification/minimization

■ Emotional reasoning

■ “Should” statements

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■ Labeling and mislabeling

■ Personalization

■ Maladaptive thinking

Introduce the concept of cognitive restructuring by once again referring

to the cognitive-behavioral model of depression from chapter 3. The
cognitive component consists of negative thoughts that people have
when they are depressed. Cognitive restructuring is a way to change these
negative thoughts and beliefs in an effort to relieve depression.

It is important to note that cognitive restructuring is different from “posi-

tive thinking.” Positive thinking would be arbitrarily replacing negative
thoughts with positive thoughts. The goal of cognitive restructuring is
to come up with alternative thoughts that are true and realistic and that
make one feel better. This is particularly important for living with
chronic illness because many of the stressors clients experience are real—
and hence appraisals and cognitive restructuring techniques should in-
volve realistic ways of thinking about situations that can objectively be
negative (i.e., worsening of a prognosis; the real threat, for example,
with HIV, that one can become resistant to one’s medications).

Cognitive restructuring can also help with activity scheduling. Using the
client’s completed Activity Log from the previous week, point out times
when he or she rated his or her mood the lowest and how cognitive re-
structuring could have been used to increase it. For example, we had a
client who went to church for the first time in several years. She had pre-
viously avoided church because she felt that people would judge her for
having HIV because it can be transmitted sexually. She arrived right as
the service began, sat in the back, and walked right out when it was over.
She rated her mood as low in this situation, with the interpretation that
even in church, where one would think people would be friendly, she
was not able to make friends. She took it personally that no one spoke
to her. The realistic cognitive restructuring involved looking at the situa-
tion more objectively, with the interpretation that maybe no one spoke
to her because there was not much time to do so. This resulted in the
goal of arriving early and staying late to the next service, trying this three
times, and seeing whether she would participate in any conversations.

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Cognitive Distortions

Have the client turn to the Cognitive Distortions List in the workbook.
Help the client identify which types of thoughts seem to apply to him
or her most. Explain to the client that cognitive distortions maintain
negative thinking and help to maintain negative emotions. Point out
that negative and inaccurate thoughts and beliefs can lead to adverse be-
havioral consequences, including avoidance, feelings of helplessness and
hopelessness, depression, the inability to take adequate care of oneself,
and poor adherence to medications. Refer back to the client’s completed
CBT model of depression as needed.

We recommend going through the list of cognitive distortions individ-

ually with clients and asking for specific examples of times when they
think they have had the various types of thoughts here. If a client does
have difficulty, it can be useful to return to the CBT model of depres-
sion from chapter 3, in which the therapist and client had elicited nega-
tive thoughts or beliefs related to depression and illness.

List of Cognitive Distortions

All-or-nothing thinking: You see things in black-and-white categories.

For example, you have to change your entire life because you are taking
medicines for your illness, or all aspects of a project need to be com-
pleted immediately, or if your performance falls short of perfect, you see
it as a total failure. For example, you are trying to eat a healthy diet but
one day you “slip up” and overeat something you know is not healthy.
The next day, you say to yourself, “Either I stick to my diet or it’s no use!
Since I messed up yesterday, it doesn’t matter what I eat today, the rest
of the weekend, or the rest of the month.”

Overgeneralization: You see a single negative event as a never-ending

pattern. You have a low blood sugar count (or maybe a really high one)
after you’ve been trying to make some changes to your diet and exercise,
and you say to yourself, “I’m never going to be able to get my diabetes
in control! What I do makes no difference and I’m just no good at tak-
ing care of myself. Nothing will ever change anyway!”

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Mental filter: You pick out a single negative detail and dwell on it ex-
clusively, so that your vision of all reality becomes darkened, like the
drop of ink that discolors the entire beaker of water. For example, you
are working on increasing your glucose monitoring and physical activity
and trying to eat a better daily diet. Although this has been going well
and you’ve made consistent improvements, you only focus on the nega-
tives. For example, you might think, “Well, yeah, I’ve been trying but it’s
not going to make any difference because I haven’t lost weight yet.” You
focus on negative information and ignore all the positives.

Disqualifying the positive: You reject positive experiences or successes by

insisting they “don’t count” for one reason or another. In this way, you
can maintain a negative belief that is contradicted by your everyday ex-
periences. For example, when someone gives you a compliment, maybe
you say to yourself, “They are just being nice.” For instance, if someone
compliments your clothes, you say, “Oh, this old thing?” This is a de-
structive negative thought because what you are telling yourself is that
you are second-rate and not worth the compliment. Instead, you can
choose to accept the positive and when someone compliments you, say,
“Thank you!” You might even think, “How nice of them to notice,” be-
cause you have already focused on your positive qualities.

Jumping to conclusions: You make a negative interpretation even though

there are no facts that convincingly support your conclusion.

Mind reading: You arbitrarily conclude that someone is reacting

negatively to you, and you don’t bother to check this out. For ex-
ample, you assume that the person you are attracted to knows you
are HIV-infected and therefore will not want to date you.

Fortune-telling: You anticipate that things will turn out badly, and
you feel that your prediction is a predetermined fact. For example,
you predict that no matter what you do, you will never lose the
weight you need to in order to stay healthy.

Magnification/minimization: You exaggerate the importance of things

(such as the degree to which your illness affects a situation, your life, or
other people; your mistakes; or someone else’s achievement) or you in-
appropriately shrink things until they appear tiny (your own desirable

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 qualities; your ability to do something despite having a chronic illness;
or the other’s imperfections).

Catastrophizing: You attribute extreme and horrible consequences to

the outcomes of events. For example, you might interpret one slip with
medications or monitoring as meaning that you will never be able to
manage your regimen. One mistake at work ⫽ being fired from your
job; one bad day ⫽ you will be unhappy forever.

Emotional reasoning: You assume that your negative emotions necessar-

ily reflect the way things really are: “I feel it, so it must be true.” “I feel
bad about myself for being overweight, and therefore other people will
think I am a bad person.” Another example might be, “I feel guilty, so I
deserve this” or “I feel depressed, so I must be a loser.”

“Should” statements: You try to motivate yourself with “shoulds” and

“shouldn’ts,” as if you need to be punished before you could be expected
to do anything. When you direct “should” statements toward others,
you feel anger, frustration, and resentment. For example, you believe
that you “should” clean the house every day, but you do not have the
time to do it, and then you feel guilty.

Labeling and mislabeling: This is an extreme form of overgeneralization.

Instead of describing an error, you attach a negative label to yourself or
others. For example, you may forget to take your medications and say to
yourself, “I’m stupid” or “I’m no good at this.”

Personalization: You see negative events as indicative of some negative

characteristic of yourself or others, or you take responsibility for events
that were not your doing. Your significant other might come home in a
bad mood after work, and you might say to yourself, “she/he is mad at
me,” or, “she/he doesn’t even care about me anymore.”

Maladaptive thinking: You focus on a thought that may be true but over
which you have no control (e.g., “my abilities are more limited than they
were before I was sick”). Excessively thinking about it can be self-critical
or can distract you from an important task or from attempting new
behaviors.

This list is from Heimberg (1991), with some modifications. Heimberg

(1991) was originally based on Burns (1980) and Persons (1989).

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Automatic Thoughts

Automatic thoughts (ATs) are thoughts that “automatically” come to

mind when a particular situation occurs. Instead of reacting to the real-
ity of a situation, an individual reacts to his or her own distorted view-
point of the situation. Explain to the client that when he or she is de-
pressed, automatic thoughts are more likely to be negative in nature. Ask
the client if he or she has learned to drive a car. If yes, then use the fol-
lowing example to illustrate the concept of automatic thinking to the
client:

Think about when you first learned to drive a car. At the age of 15 or
16, trying to coordinate many tasks at once, you had to be specifically
conscious of handling the steering wheel, remembering to signal for
turns, staying exactly in your lane, averting other traffic, trying to
park, and doing many tasks at the same time that required your total
attention.

Now, think about driving today. You probably know how to drive
without thinking actively about what you are doing. The process of
driving has become automatic.

In the same way that driving has become automatic, so can one’s in-
terpretation of various situations, which can result in a continuation
of depressed mood. People tend to automatically interpret situations
consistent with their moods. So, if someone is depressed for a pro-
longed period of time, the person continues to interpret neutral or
even positive situations in ways that are consistent with their negative
view of themselves, the future, and the past. For example, we had a
client with diabetes who was overweight and had depression. She
maintained the belief that she was ugly and that therefore no one
would want to talk with her or be her friend. When she would go to
events she would not approach new people or talk to them. When
people would approach her, she would shy away from maintaining a
conversation because of this negative view of herself. This pattern of
thinking and behavior became automatic—and reinforced itself—
because, in the end, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy. People did
not speak to her because she avoided them due to her thoughts and
beliefs about herself.

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Identifying Automatic Thoughts

Using the Thought Record in the workbook, explain to the client how
to monitor his or her thoughts. Have the client pick a situation from his
or her completed Activity Log that rated as being a low point from the
previous week and elicit automatic thoughts from the situation (if the
client did not complete an activity log, try to help him or her elicit a
situation from memory by asking questions like, In thinking about the
past week, what was the time or times when your mood was at its worst?) As
your discussion continues, you and the client can list these automatic
thoughts on the Thought Record. The last column of the Thought
Record will be left blank for now, as rational responses have yet to be dis-
cussed. A sample completed Thought Record without rational responses
is shown in figure 6.1.

Teaching clients how to identify automatic thoughts can be a time-

consuming and difficult process. A potential pitfall for therapists in the
cognitive restructuring module would be to neglect a thorough elicita-
tion of the full set of thoughts behind a client’s interpretation of an
event that made him or her upset. At first, the discussion may not ad-
dress the core of the problem, but asking questions to start the dialogue
can lead to a fuller and more intense therapeutic discourse.

Additionally, one needs to pay specific attention to thoughts related to

a medical illness. Patients with a medical condition can “internalize”
thoughts and beliefs about themselves consistent with being a “sick per-
son,” which can color their interpretation of situations and events.

Beginning questions can include:

■ What was going on in your head right then?

■ What were you thinking when this happened?

■ What was it about the situation that, specifically, made you upset?

These questions typically elicit superficial, but negative, thoughts that

are focused on the situation itself. This may be the focus in beginning
sessions or, for some clients, throughout the treatment. However, fur-
ther questioning (discussed in more detail in part II of the cognitive re-
structuring section) can reveal deeper “beliefs” behind the thoughts.

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 Thought Record

Automatic thoughts Mood and Cognitive distortions

(what was going through intensity of mood (match thoughts
Time and situation your head?) (0–100) from list) Rational response

Tues. afternoon: Good memories (at first) of wife First, felt really good
Went to cookout with who passed away. (80)
my girlfriend and I don’t take care of myself well A little sad “Should” thinking
daughter. enough. (60)
Because of this, I won’t live long Very sad and guilty Fortune-telling
enough to have these kinds of (95) “Should” thinking
outings to enjoy with my family.
My daughter lost her mother and Labeling
has a horrible father.

Weds. morning: I’m never going to be healthy. Disappointed in myself Catastrophizing

I woke up and knew I can’t take care of myself. (80) Labeling
it was time to take I am a horrible person. Hopeless (95)
my medications but I
had to push myself to
get out of bed and so
I just didn’t take
them.

Figure 6.1.
Example of Completed Thought Record Up to Cognitive Distortions Column
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 Questioning ways to get beyond the negative thoughts specific to that
situation can allow a deeper understanding of an ongoing pattern of in-
terpreting situations negatively. Many times, for example, negative be-
liefs emerge that tie one’s identity into one’s illness. Other times, beliefs
emerge that were present before the illness but have become exacerbated.
Identifying negative beliefs can help clients look toward future situations
or thinking patterns in order to make longer lasting changes. Probes for
eliciting these beliefs may include:

■ Why do you think you saw it that way?

■ What does that say about you?

■ What would make you interpret the situation in the way that you just
described?

■ Can you think of the first time you thought that way about something
like this?

■ Has your thinking about situations like this changed since you became
chronically ill?

Identifying Cognitive Distortions

Once automatic thoughts have been identified, one way of helping a

client with depression and a chronic illness think more adaptively can be
to have him or her match his or her own thoughts to the relevant cog-
nitive distortions from the list previously reviewed. This can then lay the
groundwork for future sessions that involve coming up with a rational
response directed to the particular distortion identified. Thoughts can
represent more than one cognitive distortion, and it can be useful for
therapists to help clients identify the most common ones that their
clients tend to do.

One potential pitfall in this process can involve the therapist being too
particular about the specific distortion. For example, if a client identifies
his or her thought as being “all or nothing” and the more appropriate
term is “fortune-telling,” it would be important to simply ask why they
saw it as “all or nothing” instead of necessarily spending too much time
matching to the most correct specific type of cognitive distortion. Ques-

104
 tions that elicit the reasons clients label the terms help lay the ground-
work for the formulation of a rational response.

An exception to this has to do with the distortion “maladaptive think-

ing.” This type of thought is defined as, “You focus on a thought that
may be true but over which you have no control. Excessively thinking
about it can be self-critical or can distract you from an important task or
from attempting new behaviors.” Clients tend to label thoughts as mal-
adaptive thinking when, objectively, they may not be true. For example,
a thought like “I will never be happy because of all of the things I have
to do to control my diabetes” or “I have HIV because I am a bad person”
should not be labeled “maladaptive thinking,” because this would imply
that the therapist agrees with the thought. Thoughts like “I have a medi-
cal illness and therefore I have limitations” may, however, be “maladap-
tive thinking” if the client dwells on this excessively and allows the
thoughts to keep him or her from doing things that he or she can actu-
ally do.

Discuss each one and highlight the connection between thinking and
mood. If time permits, you may perform this exercise with the client
multiple times. Whenever possible, the client should list thoughts speci-
fically related to his or her illness and self-care behaviors.

Upcoming Sessions

As previously mentioned, it will take approximately five sessions to de-

liver the information in this module. The next few sessions will involve
teaching the client how to identify negative automatic thinking and its
impact on situations. The client will also practice the cognitive restruc-
turing skills taught here.

Homework

✎ Client should continue all aspects of the program (practicing adher-

ence skills from the Life-Steps module, completing the Activity Log,
and engaging in pleasant alternative activities on a daily basis).

105
 ✎ Have client read the Preliminary Instructions for Cognitive Restruc-
turing in the workbook to assist with identifying automatic thoughts
and matching them to distortions.

✎ Using the Thought Record, the client should repeat the process of
identifying automatic thoughts and matching them to cognitive distor-
tions for at least two situations that are also listed on the Activity Log
during the week.

✎ For the therapist: Discuss possible situations that the client could work
on in the upcoming week.

✎ For the therapist: Discuss anticipated problems that may prevent the
client from completing homework.

COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING Part II

Materials Needed

■ Cognitive Restructuring II: Formulating a Rational Response

■ Thought Record

Outline

■ Set agenda

■ Review depression score on CES-D and discuss with client

■ Review client’s treatment adherence over the previous week—

problem-solve any emerging difficulties or slips

■ Review material and homework from previous session and modules

■ Introduce and discuss rational responses

106
 ■ Work with client to determine the role of core beliefs in influenc-
ing the way he or she interprets situations

■ Assign homework

Set Agenda

In these remaining sessions of the cognitive restructuring module, you

will explain to the client the concept of rational responses. The client
will continue to work on identifying ATs and cognitive distortions for
various situations.

Review of Depression Severity on CES-D

As in every session, the client completes the CES-D self-report measure

of depression. Briefly review the score and take note of any symptoms
that may have changed from the last measurement. Remember, as ther-
apy progresses it can be helpful to review the total score for each of the
preceding sessions in order to examine what might be helpful in treat-
ment and what might not. Be sure to track scores using the Progress
Summary Chart provided in chapter 3.

Review of Adherence and Any Medical Changes

The client also completes the Weekly Adherence Assessment Form. Be

sure to assess any medical changes since the last session, including changes
in symptoms or emergence of new symptoms, or new test results. Also
review the relation of these medical changes to adherence behavior and
correlation with mood. When reviewing the adherence form, it is im-
portant to make a plan and a backup plan for any slips in adherence
from the previous week.

107
Review of Previous Material and Homework

Review: CBT Model of Depression

Review the model with the client and remind him or her of the cogni-
tive, behavioral, and physical components of depression and how they
interact, making it easier for depression and poor adherence and poor
self-care to continue. If necessary, refer back to the copy of the client’s
completed CBT model from chapter 3. Remind the client that this mod-
ule will focus on the cognitive component of depression.

Review: Life-Steps

Remind the client how to effectively follow the medical regimen pre-
scribed by his or her doctor or other health care provider. Review the
importance of self-care behaviors and medical adherence, as well as the
problem-solving technique (AIM). Make additional plans or backup
plans for any new strategy that did not work out.

Review: Activity Scheduling

Spend time carefully reviewing activity scheduling, using the client’s

completed Activity Log for the previous week to point out times when
mood was elevated and times when mood was depressed. Use this as a
justification to maximize pleasurable activities. Look for any patterns
with respect to symptoms (or, for diabetic patients, glucose levels) and
their relationship to mood.

Review: Cognitive Restructuring: Part I

Review the rationale for cognitive restructuring and the role of the sub-
sequent sessions in completing this module. Help with any problems the
client may have with activity scheduling that cannot be solved with cog-
nitive restructuring.

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 Review the client’s completed Thought Records for each of the two
situations for which he or she chose to record automatic thoughts and
cognitive distortions. Discuss each situation individually. If the client
has not completed this homework exercise, discuss the reasons why. If
necessary, refer back to motivational interviewing (see Module 1) and
complete the exercise during the session.

Rational Responses

Review reasons for rethinking situations that make one feel depressed or
overwhelmed. Explain “coaching styles” and use the coaching metaphor
provided to illustrate the importance of thinking in ways that are help-
ful, that make one feel better, and that are realistic.

Coaching Metaphor

This is a story about Little League baseball. I talk about Little League
baseball because of the amazing parents and coaches involved. And by
“amazing” I don’t mean good. I mean extreme.

But this story doesn’t start with the coaches or the parents. It starts
with Johnny, who is a Little League player in the outfield. His job is
to catch fly balls and return them to the infield players. On this par-
ticular day of our story, Johnny is in the outfield. And “crack!”—one
of the players on the other team hits a fly ball. The ball is coming to
Johnny. Johnny raises his glove. The ball is coming to him, it is com-
ing to him . . . and it goes over his head. Johnny misses the ball, and
the other team scores a run.

Now there are a number of ways a coach can respond to this situation.
Let’s take Coach A first. Coach A is the type of coach who will come
out on the field and shout:

I can’t believe you missed that ball! Anyone could have caught it!
My dog could have caught it! You screw up like that again and
you’ll be sitting on the bench! That was lousy!

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 Coach A then storms off the field. At this point, if Johnny is anything
like I am, he is standing there, tense, tight, trying not to cry, and
praying that another ball is not hit to him. If a ball does come to him,
Johnny will probably miss it. After all, he is tense, tight, and may
see four balls coming to him because of the tears in his eyes. Also, if
we are Johnny’s parents, we may see more profound changes after the
game: Johnny, who typically places his baseball glove on the mantle,
now throws it under his bed. And before the next game, he may com-
plain that his stomach hurts, that perhaps he should not go to the
game. This is the scenario with Coach A.

Now let’s go back to the original event and play it differently. Johnny
has just missed the fly ball, and now Coach B comes out on the field.
Coach B says:

Well, you missed that one. Here is what I want you to remember:
fly balls always look like they are farther away than they really
are. Also, it is much easier to run forward than to back up. Be-
cause of this, I want you to prepare for the ball by taking a
few extra steps backward. Run forward if you need to, but try to
catch it at chest level, so you can adjust your hand if you mis-
judge the ball. Let’s see how you do next time.

Coach B leaves the field. How does Johnny feel? Well, he is not happy.
After all, he missed the ball—but there are a number of important
differences from the way he felt with Coach A. He is not as tense or
tight, and if a fly ball does come to him, he knows what to do differ-
ently to catch it. And because he does not have tears in his eyes, he
may actually see the ball accurately. He may catch the next one.

So, if we were the type of parent who eventually wants Johnny to

make the major leagues, we would pick Coach B, because he teaches
Johnny how to be a more effective player. Johnny knows what to do
differently, may catch more balls, and may excel at the game. But if
we don’t care whether Johnny makes the major leagues—because base-
ball is a game and one is supposed to be able to enjoy a game—then
we would still pick Coach B. We pick Coach B because we care
whether Johnny enjoys the game. With Coach B, Johnny knows what
to do differently; he is not tight, tense, and ready to cry; he may catch

110
 a few balls; and he may enjoy the game. And he may continue to place
his glove on the mantel.

Now, while we may all select Coach B for Johnny, we rarely choose the
view of Coach B for the way we talk to ourselves. Think about your
last mistake. Did you say, “I can’t believe I did that! I am so stupid!
What a jerk!” These are Coach A thoughts, and they have approxi-
mately the same effect on us that they do on Johnny. They make us feel
tense and tight, and sometimes make us feel like crying. And this style
of coaching rarely makes us do better in the future. If you are only
concerned about productivity (making the major leagues), you would
pick Coach B. And if you were concerned with enjoying life, while
guiding yourself effectively for both joy and productivity, you would
still pick Coach B.

Keep in mind that we are not talking about how we coach ourselves
in a baseball game. We are talking about how we coach ourselves in
life, and our enjoyment of life.

During the next week, I would like you to listen to see how you are
coaching yourself. And if you hear Coach A, remember this story
and see if you can replace Coach A with Coach B. (Adapted from
Otto, 1999)

Forming Rational Responses

Use the Cognitive Restructuring II: Formulating a Rational Response

information sheet provided as a guide for this explanation. The client
can follow along using the copy in the workbook.

Cognitive Restructuring II: Formulating a Rational Response

The purpose of cognitive restructuring is to help promote optimal thinking

when you are depressed or feeling medically sick. Throughout the week, when
you are feeling sad or overwhelmed or upset about your illness, continue to
list your thoughts for each situation on the Thought Record in your work-
book. If you are anticipating a stressful situation or a task that is making you

111
 feel overwhelmed, write out your thoughts regarding this situation. If a sit-
uation has already passed, and you find that you are thinking about it neg-
atively, list your thoughts for this situation.

The first column of the Thought Record is for you to provide a description
of the situation.

The second column is for you to list your thoughts during a stressful, over-
whelming, or uncontrollable situation.

The third column is for you to write down what emotions you are having
and what your mood is like when thinking these thoughts (e.g., depressed,
sad, angry).

The fourth column is for you to see whether your thoughts match the list of
“cognitive distortions.” These may include:

All-or-nothing thinking Emotional reasoning

Overgeneralizations “Should” statements

Jumping to conclusions: Labeling and mislabeling

Fortune-telling/mind reading
Personalization
Magnification/minimization
Maladaptive thinking

In the fifth column, try to come up with a rational response to each thought
or to the most important negative thought. The rational response is a state-
ment that you can say to yourself to try to feel better about the situation.
Questions to help come up with this rational response can include:

What is the evidence that this thought is true?

Is there an alternate explanation?

What is the worst thing that can happen?

Has this situation unreasonably grown in importance?

What would a good coach say about this situation?

Have I done what I can do to control it?

If I were to do anything else, would this help or hinder the situation?

112
 Am I worrying excessively about this?

What would a good friend say to me about this situation?

What would I say to a good friend about this situation if he/she were
going through it?

Why is this statement a cognitive distortion?

Using the client’s completed Thought Records from last week, help him
or her to formulate rational responses to each of the automatic thoughts
listed. An example of a completed Thought Record with rational re-
sponses is shown in figure 6.2.

The client should ask the following questions:

■ What is the evidence that this thought is true?

■ Is there an alternate explanation?

■ What is the worst thing that can happen?

■ Has this situation unreasonably grown in importance?

■ What would a good coach say about this situation?

■ Have I done what I can do to control it?

■ If I were to do anything else, would this help or hinder the situation?

■ Am I worrying excessively about this?

■ What would a good friend say to me about this situation?

■ What would I say to a good friend about this situation if he/she

were going through it?

■ Why is this statement a cognitive distortion?

Testing Automatic Thoughts in Real-Life Situations

When possible, clients can be assigned to test negative thoughts through

experience. This will be done in conjunction with the activity schedul-
ing in which the client is hopefully now engaging. Regarding upcoming
activities, the client can use the Thought Record to help prepare for an

113
114

Thought Record

Automatic thoughts Mood and Cognitive distortions

(what was going through intensity of mood (match thoughts
Time and situation your head?) (0–100) from list) Rational response

Tues. afternoon: Good memories (at first) of wife First, felt really good I can only do my best in terms of
Went to cookout with who passed away. (80) taking care of myself.
my girlfriend and I don’t take care of myself well A little sad “Should” thinking
Although I have an illness, there
daughter. enough. (60)
are things I can do to take good
Because of this, I won’t live long Very sad and guilty Fortune-telling care of myself and can therefore
enough to have these kinds of (95) “Should” thinking live a longer life.
outings to enjoy with my family.
My daughter lost her mother and Labeling I do the best I can to take care of
has a horrible father. my daughter.

Weds. morning: I’m never going to be healthy. Disappointed in myself Catastrophizing I have been better at taking my
I woke up and knew I can’t take care of myself. (80) Labeling meds. Today was a slip.
it was time to take I am a horrible person. Hopeless (95) Missing meds one morning does not
my medications but I mean I am a horrible person.
had to push myself to
get out of bed and so
I just didn’t take
them.

Figure 6.2.
Example of Completed Thought Record
 upcoming situation. The client can prepare in advance and set realistic
goals. After the situation, the client is encouraged to look back at the
Thought Record completed before entering into the situation to deter-
mine how accurate his or her automatic thoughts and rational responses
were.

Core Beliefs

As the treatment continues, the therapist may begin to notice patterns

in the client’s automatic thoughts. By asking questions for the thoughts,
such as “Why would this be bad?” or “What makes that upsetting?” the
therapist and the client can collaboratively determine the role of core be-
liefs in “coloring” the client’s interpretation of the situations.

This is known as the “downward spiral” technique (A. Beck, 1987;

J. S. Beck, 1995). As sessions continue, the therapist should revise the ini-
tial model of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological components but
include the underlying “core beliefs” as a deeper aspect of the cognitive
component of depression that lies below any surface thoughts. Examples
of core beliefs include “Because of my illness, I am worthless” and “I am
unlovable.”

The concept of core beliefs is familiar to trained cognitive-behavioral

therapists and is a standard component of CBT for depression (see also
Persons, 1989). It is particularly relevant for clients who have “treatment
resistance,” or more chronic depression. Therapists who need more in-
formation about the techniques used to elicit and restructure core beliefs
should consult more detailed treatments of the practice of CBT (e.g.,
J. S. Beck, 1995).

Homework

✎ The client should continue all aspects of the program (practicing ad-
herence skills from the Life-Steps module, completing the Activity
Log, and engaging in pleasant alternative activities on a daily basis).

115
 ✎ Instruct the client to list automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions,
and rational responses on the Thought Record over the course of the
following week.

✎ For the therapist: Discuss possible situations that the client could work
on in the upcoming week.

✎ For the therapist: Discuss anticipated problems that may prevent the
client from completing homework.

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Chapter 7 Module 5: Problem Solving

(Corresponds to chapter 7 of the workbook)

Materials Needed

■ Problem-Solving Sheet

■ Note cards or plain paper

Outline

■ Set agenda

■ Review depression score on CES-D and discuss with client

■ Review client’s treatment adherence over the previous week and

problem-solve any emerging difficulties or slips

■ Review material and homework from previous modules

■ Teach client five steps of problem solving

■ Teach client the method of breaking seemingly overwhelming

problems into small, manageable steps

■ Use examples to illustrate the process of problem solving

■ Assign homework

Set Agenda

Over the course of the next two sessions you will teach the client problem-
solving skills. Problem-solving training (D’Zurilla, 1986) will involve
teaching clients how to take an overwhelming task and break it into

117
 manageable steps, with the goal of reducing cognitive avoidance. Addi-
tional problem-solving techniques involve training in articulation of the
problem, coming up with possible solutions, and selecting the best pos-
sible solution. This approach is used for depression (Nezu & Perri, 1989)
and has specific application to coping with chronic illness (Nezu, Nezu,
Friedman, Faddis, & Houts, 1998). We have adapted these techniques
for use in this program.

Review of Depression Severity on CES-D

As in every session, the client completes the CES-D self-report measure

of depression. Briefly review the score and take note of any symptoms
that may have changed from the last measurement. Remember, as ther-
apy progresses it can be helpful to review the total score for each of the
preceding sessions in order to examine what might be helpful in treat-
ment and what might not. Be sure to track scores using the Progress
Summary Chart provided in chapter 3.

Review of Adherence and Any Medical Changes

The client also completes the Weekly Adherence Assessment Form. This
form is included in the corresponding client workbook. Be sure to assess
any medical changes since the last session, including changes in symp-
toms or emergence of new symptoms, or new test results. Also review
the relation of these medical changes to adherence behavior and corre-
lation with mood.

Review of Previous Modules and Homework

Review: CBT Model of Depression

Review the model with the client and remind him or her of the cogni-
tive, behavioral, and physical components of depression and how they
interact, making it easier for depression and poor adherence and poor

118
 self-care to continue. If necessary, refer back to the copy of the client’s
completed CBT model from chapter 3. Point out that the problem-solving
module attacks both the cognitive and the behavioral components of de-
pression. The reason is that we seek to help people feel better about what
they have to do by making the tasks easier. Hence the goals get done, and
the behavioral component is affected.

Review: Life-Steps

Remind the client how to effectively follow the medical regimen pre-
scribed by his or her doctor or other health care provider. Review the im-
portance of self-care behaviors and medical adherence, as well as the
problem-solving technique (AIM). Make additional plans or backup
plans for any new strategy that did not work out.

Review: Activity Scheduling

Spend time carefully reviewing activity scheduling, using the client’s

completed Activity Log for the previous week to point out times when
his or her mood was elevated and times when his or her mood was de-
pressed. Use this as a justification to maximize pleasurable activities.
Look for any patterns with respect to symptoms (or, for diabetic pa-
tients, glucose levels) and their relationship to mood. The client should
continue to monitor his or her daily activities and mood using the Ac-
tivity Log from the workbook. Continue to make sure that the client is
maximizing the times that he or she can engage in positive events.

Review: Cognitive Restructuring

Discuss any questions the client may have regarding cognitive restruc-
turing. Review how thoughts and beliefs can impact the client’s view of
certain situations. Be sure the client is continuing to use cognitive re-
structuring in situations that make him or her upset. Review any up-
setting events over the previous week and discuss them in terms of

119
 whether the client used cognitive restructuring to think more adaptively
about them.

Problem Solving

Provide the client with the following rationale for problem solving:

When people are depressed, many tasks seem overwhelming. It is diffi-

cult to get started. This can become more difficult when one also is
coping with a medical illness and needs to take care of complicated
self-care issues while also coping with depression.

Additionally, when people are depressed, it can be difficult to pick an

action plan. When living with chronic illness, multiple stressors can
exist, and no solution may be ideal—however, inaction can make the
situation worse.

Problem solving will help with these issues.

Problem-Solving Training

Explain to the client that problem solving involves two skills. First is the
ability to select a plan of action, even if there is no ideal solution avail-
able. Second is the ability to take an overwhelming task and break it down
into manageable steps. The aim of this session is to teach the client how
to effectively use the technique of problem solving in his or her own life.

Five Steps of Problem Solving

Use these instructions in conjunction with the sample Problem-Solving

Sheets shown in figures 7.1 and 7.2. You may photocopy these samples
and distribute them to the client or download copies from the Treatments
ThatWork™ website at http://www.oup.com/us/ttw.

120
Problem-Solving Sheet

Statement of the problem: I do not exercise enough but would like to because it will help improve
my health.

Instructions:
1) List all of the possible solutions that you can think of. List them even if you think they
don’t make sense, or you don’t think you would do them. The point is to come up with
as many solutions as possible.
2) List the pros and cons of each solution.
3) After listing the pros and cons of each, review the whole list, and give a rating to each
solution.
4) Use additional copies of this sheet as needed (even if it’s for the same problem).

Overall Rating
of Solution
Possible Solution Pros of Solution Cons of Solution (1–10)

Walk to work instead I will get fresh air, I may get a little 7
of drive get energized, and sweaty.
have a clearer head. I would need to carry
Less stress that a change of clothes.
comes with driving. Wake up earlier to
allow for more
commute time.

Take the stairs Takes little time. My legs get sore 6

instead of elevator I don’t have to leave after.
home/work. I feel lazy sometimes
because it’s not easy.

Join a gym Variety: It costs money. 8

Do a cardio class. I would need to make
Starting lifting time to go.
weights.
Meet people.

Take a yoga class Improve flexibility. I may get embarrassed 7

Decrease stress. since I’ve never done
Be with other people. it before and am not
flexible.
It costs money.

Figure 7.1
Example of Completed Problem-Solving Sheet

121
Problem-Solving Sheet

Statement of the problem: I never get the information I need from my doctor.
Instructions:
1) List all of the possible solutions that you can think of. List them even if you think they
don’t make sense, or you don’t think you would do them. The point is to come up with
as many solutions as possible.
2) List the pros and cons of each solution.
3) After listing the pros and cons of each, review the whole list, and give a rating to each
solution.
4) Use additional copies of this sheet as needed (even if it’s for the same problem).

Overall Rating
of Solution
Possible Solution Pros of Solution Cons of Solution (1–10)

Have someone come That person could help I don’t know who to 5
with me. listen to the answers ask, everyone is busy
and then remind me. during the day.

Try to remember to ask Hopefully it would This is what I do now, 2

the questions. work. and I don’t seem to be
getting my questions
answered.

Make a list of what I I would get my questions I would feel stupid with 6
want to ask her about. answered. a list.
I would have to put in
time to make the list.

Change doctors. Could see if someone Most doctors don’t 5

else is better at ex- have time.
plaining things. I get along with this
Maybe a new one would doctor.
have more time.

Tell the doctor that I The doctor would pos- I would feel awkward 6
have a hard time re- sibly make a better having this type of
membering what she effort to make sure conversation.
says and getting my that I understand.
questions asked. I would feel more com-
fortable asking questions.

Figure 7.2.
Example of Completed Problem-Solving Sheet

122
Step 1. Articulate the Problem

Try to get the client to describe the problem in as few words as possible—
one or two sentences at most. Examples include:

■ I can’t decide whether I should switch my health care provider.

■ I can’t decide what to do about my housing situation.

■ I am in debt due to medical expenses.

Step 2. List All Possible Solutions

In the first column of the Problem-Solving Sheet, the client should try
to come up with a number of solutions—regardless of how possible
they are, what the consequences may be, or whether they are silly or out-
rageous. The idea is to generate a list of as many solutions as possible.
Notably, we find that listing the solutions can be a difficult task for
clients who feel that they are in a “rut.” Hence, we encourage creativity
with this—trying to find solutions that they may not have thought of,
or specifically articulate solutions that may seem obvious.

Step 3. List the Pros and Cons of Each Solution

Now is the time for the client to realistically appraise each solution. In
the Pros and Cons columns of the sheet, the client should figure out
what he or she really thinks would happen if he or she selected that so-
lution. The advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of each should
be listed.

Step 4. Rate Each Solution

Using the final column, the client should rate the solution on a scale
from 1–10. This should be done as objectively as possible.

123
Step 5. Implement the Best Option

Now that the client has rated each possible solution on a scale of 1–10,
review each option and its rating. Look at the one that is rated the high-
est. Determine whether this is really the solution that the client would
like to pick. The next part of problem solving involves trying to break
the solution down into manageable steps. Use of cognitive restructuring
can also be applied here if there are negative thoughts related to inaction
or if there are excessively negative projections about the potential out-
come of the situations.

Use the sample completed Problem-Solving Sheets to show the client ex-
amples of how to select action plans for particular problems.

Steps for Breaking Large Tasks Into Manageable Steps

1. Choose a problem that exists for your client on which he or she is

avoiding action. Ideally, this can be the problem just discussed in
the previous skill on selecting an action plan.

List the steps that must be completed. This can be done using
small note cards or plain paper. Ask questions such as, “What is
the first thing that you would need to do to make this happen? What
is next?”

2. For each step, make sure that it is manageable.

Have the client ask him- or herself, “Is this something that I could
realistically complete in one day?” and “Is this something that I
would want to put off doing?”

If any step seems too overwhelming, break that step down into
further manageable steps.

One of the potential pitfalls here is that clients will not want to imple-
ment any of the solutions because they fear the consequences or feel that
they cannot do them. This is where it is important to use cognitive re-
structuring as needed if completing any of the tasks would cause the
client to experience anxiety or depressed mood. Going back and forth

124
 between the problem-solving module and the cognitive restructuring
module can be an integral part of progress here.

Homework

✎ Client should continue all aspects of the program (practicing adher-

ence skills from the Life-Steps module, completing the Activity Log,
engaging in pleasant alternative activities on a daily basis, and using
cognitive restructuring methods as needed).

✎ Instruct client to use the formal problem-solving method when neces-

sary and record possible solutions on the Problem-Solving Sheet.

125
This page intentionally left blank
Chapter 8 Module 6: Relaxation Training and
Diaphragmatic Breathing

(Corresponds to chapter 8 of the workbook)

Outline

■ Set agenda

■ Review depression score on CES-D and discuss with client

■ Review client’s treatment adherence over the previous week and

problem-solve any emerging difficulties or slips

■ Review material and homework from previous modules

■ Teach breathing retraining and progressive muscle relaxation

■ Assign homework

Set Agenda

In this module, the focus is on teaching the client how to relax in situa-
tions that may cause stress or pain. This skill can be adapted for use in
managing side effects of medications, to help in preparation for any
painful medical procedures, and to help with sleep.

Progressive muscle relaxation and breathing retraining are key com-

ponents to anxiety management and stress reduction programs. They
are also widely used in behavioral medicine approaches to coping with
body pain, headache, and nausea (Cotanch, 1983; Smith, 1987; Turner &
Chapman, 1982).

Training in diaphragmatic breathing helps clients to ground themselves

and relax during times of stress and to directly cope with symptoms.

127
 With the help of the therapist, the participant will make a relaxation
tape, which will involve training in cue-controlled relaxation.

Review of Depression Severity on CES-D

As in every session, the client completes the CES-D self-report measure

of depression. Briefly review the score and take note of any symptoms
that may have changed from the last measurement. Remember, as ther-
apy progresses it can be helpful to review the total score for each of the
preceding sessions in order to examine what might be helpful in treat-
ment and what might not. Be sure to track scores using the Progress
Summary Chart provided in chapter 3.

Review of Adherence and Any Medical Changes

The client also completes the Weekly Adherence Assessment Form. Be

sure to assess any medical changes since the last session, including changes
in symptoms or emergence of new symptoms, or new test results. Also
review the relation of these medical changes to adherence behavior and
correlation with mood.

Review of Previous Modules

Review: CBT Model of Depression

Review the model with the client and remind him or her of the cogni-
tive, behavioral, and physical components of depression and how they
interact, making it easier for depression and poor adherence or poor self-
care to continue. If necessary, refer back to the copy of the client’s com-
pleted CBT model from chapter 3.

128
Review: Life-Steps

Remind client how to effectively follow the medical regimen prescribed

by his or her doctor or other health care provider. Review the importance
of self-care behaviors and medical adherence, as well as the problem-
solving technique (AIM). Make additional plans or backup plans for
any new strategy that did not work out.

Review: Activity Scheduling

Spend time carefully reviewing activity scheduling, using the client’s

completed Activity Log for the previous week to point out times when
his or her mood was elevated and times when his or her mood was de-
pressed. Use this as a justification to maximize pleasurable activities.
Look for any patterns with respect to symptoms (or, for diabetic pa-
tients, glucose levels) and their relationship to mood. The client should
continue to monitor daily activities and mood using the Activity Log
from the workbook.

Review: Cognitive Restructuring

Discuss any questions the client may have regarding cognitive restruc-
turing. Review how thoughts and beliefs can impact the client’s view of
certain situations. Be sure the client is continuing to use cognitive re-
structuring in situations that make him or her upset. Review any upset-
ting events over the previous week and discuss them in terms of whether
the client used the cognitive restructuring to think more adaptively
about them.

Review: Problem Solving

Discuss the extent to which problems have been broken down into steps.
Review any completed problem-solving worksheets and encourage the
client to continue to use these skills. Review any areas in which the skills

129
 are not understood or being utilized and attempt to clarify any remain-
ing questions.

Breathing Retraining

The object of breathing retraining is to teach the client to use calm, slow
breathing in order to achieve a relaxed state. Overbreathing and chest
breathing, which many people tend to do when feeling anxious, can ac-
tually exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Instead, it is more effective to
breathe from the diaphragm. Chest breathing involves filling your lungs
with air, forcing the chest upward and outward to expand, so that you
are taking relatively shallow breaths. Diaphragmatic breathing, on the
other hand, keeps your chest relaxed and lets the diaphragm, the smooth
muscle at the bottom of the lungs, do all the work. When you inhale,
the diaphragm moves down, creating a vacuum and pulling air in. This
technique results in deeper breaths, which is a healthier and fuller way to
take in oxygen.

Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique

Have the client practice diaphragmatic breathing during the session. In-
struct the client to place one hand on the stomach and the other on the
chest. Teach the client to differentiate between chest breathing and di-
aphragmatic breathing by having him or her inhale slowly and watch
which hand moves. Chest breathing occurs when the hand on the chest
moves; diaphragmatic breathing is occurring when the hand on the
stomach moves.

You may use the following sample dialogue to guide the client through
the process of diaphragmatic breathing:

Get into a comfortable position. Now, slowly inhale through your

nose. As you inhale, count slowly to three and feel your stomach ex-
pand with your hand. Hold the breath for one second and then slowly
exhale while also counting to three. When you inhale, think of the
word “inhale.” When you exhale, think of the word “relax.”

130
 Have the client repeat this exercise until he or she is able to do it cor-
rectly. Like any skill, it takes practice to master.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Just like diaphragmatic breathing, muscle relaxation is a skill that can be

learned as long as it is practiced regularly. It helps with tension, with cer-
tain side effects caused by medication, and with pain and stress.

You may use the following sample dialogue to introduce progressive

muscle relaxation to the client:

We will do a procedure called progressive muscle relaxation. It involves

tensing, then relaxing, various muscle groups, one at a time. It takes
about 25 minutes, and by the time you are done, your whole body is
relaxed.

Once you are relaxed, the trick is to make a mental note of what the
relaxation feels like. You can then apply this to situations of stress, in
conjunction with slow breathing, when doing the whole procedure is
not possible. We will make a tape of the progressive muscle relaxation
procedure, so that you can take it home and practice.

Ask the client if he or she has any questions or concerns before contin-
uing. Use a blank cassette tape (or digital audio recorder) to record the
relaxation procedure.

Therapist Note: There are some relaxation “tapes” available as MP3 files
that can be found on public access Internet sites. Therapists may wish to
locate some this way, listen to them, and give them to clients.

You may use the following script to facilitate the relaxation exercise.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation Script

The following outline can be used to create a tape recording of the pro-
gressive muscle relaxation procedure. Use a slow, relaxing, somewhat
monotonous tone. Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing, then
relaxing all of the different muscle groups. Muscles should be tensed for

131
 approximately 5 seconds each, and then relaxed for at least 10 seconds.
Clients should be instructed to relax or “let go” all at once, so that the
contrast between tension and relaxation can be achieved. Before starting
the procedure, go over what it will look like to tense each muscle group.
Use the list of muscle groups provided.

Start recording and use the following sample dialogue:

Sit comfortably in the chair and relax as much as possible. Breathe

calmly and regularly with your stomach. (Wait a few seconds.) Pay
attention to my voice. If, as we go through this, your mind starts to
wander, just bring your attention back to the relaxation procedure.

You may use the following sample dialogue for each muscle group.

At this point, I want you to tense your . Hold it . . . now

relax . . . relax the muscles in your . . . notice the differ-
ence between the tension and the relaxation.
1. Tense the hands and forearms by making fists and holding them
(each hand separately).
2. Tense the biceps by bending your elbows and bringing your hands
to your shoulders (each separately).
3. Tense your shoulders by bringing them up to your ears (both
together).
4. Tense your upper face by raising your eyebrows while keeping
your eyes closed.
5. Tense your lower face by clenching your teeth, tensing your jaws,
and pressing your lips together while frowning.
6. Tense your chest by taking a deep chest breath and holding it.
7. Tense your stomach by pushing your stomach out.
8. Tense your back by bending your back in a curve.
9. Tense your thighs by pressing your heels to the floor.
10. Tense your calves by pressing your feet and toes down.
11. Tense your feet by bending your feet up toward your face and
scrunching your toes.

After you go through the entire procedure of systematically tensing and

releasing/relaxing each muscle group, continue with the following.

Now you can get even more relaxed by continuing to breathe and
relax. Your entire body is relaxed. Continue breathing and relaxing,

132
 calmly and regularly, to achieve an even deeper level of relaxation.
(Wait a full minute.)

Now what I want to do is help you become even more relaxed. I am

going to slowly count from 20 to 1. Each time I get to another number,
I want you to get even more relaxed. Even though it might seem that
you are fully relaxed, try to go that extra bit (count slowly . . . 20 to 1).

At this point I want you to make a mental note of your degree of re-
laxation right now. Notice what it feels like to be relaxed. There is no
tension in your body and you are totally relaxed. Remember what this
feels like. I am going to let you breathe and relax for another minute.
As you breathe, think of the word inhale every time you inhale, and
think of the word relax every time you exhale. If your mind starts to
wander, just go back to thinking “inhale” and “relax.”

(Wait another two minutes.)

We are now done with the progressive muscle relaxation training. When
you are ready, you can take some time and open your eyes. (Adapted
from Ost, n.d., and Otto, Jones, Craske, & Barlow, 1996)

Once again, stress to the client that muscle relaxation is a learned skill.
Practice is necessary so the client can master the technique and apply it
in real-life situations. Refer to the point in the script where you ask the
client to make a mental note of how relaxed he or she is at that point.
The idea is for the client to practice enough so that eventually he or she
will be able to simply take a slow, deep breath and recover that relaxed
feeling.

Homework

✎ The client should continue all aspects of the program (practicing

adherence skills from the Life-Steps module, completing the Activity
Log, engaging in pleasant alternative activities on a daily basis, and
using cognitive restructuring and problem-solving methods as
needed).

✎ Instruct the client to practice diaphragmatic breathing twice per day

(once in the morning and once in the evening).

133
 ✎ Have the client practice relaxation training as much as possible. Once
per day is ideal, but at least three to four times per week is acceptable.

✎ The client should record breathing exercise and relaxation training on

the Breathing Retraining and Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Practice
Log in the workbook.

134
Chapter 9 Module 7: Review, Maintenance,
and Relapse Prevention

(Corresponds to chapter 9 of the workbook)

Outline

■ Set agenda

■ Review depression score on CES-D and discuss with client

■ Review client’s treatment adherence over the previous week

■ Review progress and usefulness of treatment strategies

■ Review homework

■ Discuss transition to becoming one’s own therapist

■ Discuss maintenance of gains

■ Discuss troubleshooting and address relapse prevention

■ Assign continued “homework”

Set Agenda

This module is a review of all treatment strategies learned in previous

sessions. It also addresses ways to maintain changes to help clients tran-
sition to becoming their own therapists.

Review of Depression Severity on CES-D

As done in the beginning of all sessions, the client completes the CES-D
self-report measure of depression. Briefly review the score and take note
of any symptoms that may have changed from the last measurement.

135
 Review the total score for each of the preceding sessions and examine
what may have been helpful in treatment and what may not have been
helpful for the client. Be sure to track scores using the Progress Summary
Chart. As in the previous sessions, this may also be a discussion point re-
garding therapy “homework”—that is, if a client completes the “home-
work” and feels better, this point can be emphasized. If the client has not
engaged in behavioral change and his or her symptoms of depression
have not changed, this fact could be utilized to increase motivation in
future sessions.

Review of Adherence and Any Medical Changes

The client also completes the Weekly Adherence Assessment Form. As-
sess any medical changes since the last session, including changes in
symptoms or emergence of new symptoms, or new test results. Also re-
view the correlation of these medical changes with both adherence be-
havior and mood. Identify triggers for missed doses, such as running out
of medication or thoughts about not wanting or needing to take medi-
cation. Problem-solve as necessary to continue to improve adherence
and maintain improvements.

Review of Last Session

Remind client that the last session focused on using relaxation skills to
help ground him- or herself, to relax in the face of stress, and to directly
cope with any symptoms. Review the use of diaphragmatic breathing
and progressive muscle relaxation skills. Refer back to the copy of the
client’s CBT model completed during the psychoeducation module and
discuss the relation of use of relaxation skills to physical health, adher-
ence behavior, and overall mood.

Review of Previous Modules and Homework

Review skills learned in each previous session and discuss their role in
helping to interrupt the cycle of depression and improving adherence.

136
Review: CBT Model of Depression

Review the model with the client and remind him or her of the cogni-
tive, behavioral, and physical components of depression and how they
interact, making it easier for depression and poor adherence and poor
self-care to continue. If necessary, refer back to the copy of the client’s
completed CBT model from chapter 3.

Review: Life-Steps

Review skills learned during the Life-Steps module that help the client
follow the medical regimen prescribed by his or her health care provider.
Review the importance of self-care behaviors and medical adherence, as
well as the problem-solving technique (AIM), in relation to continuing
to maintain improvements in symptoms and depression.

Review: Activity Scheduling

Review any patterns of engaging in pleasurable activities and self-care be-

haviors with respect to medical symptoms and their relationship to mood.

Review: Cognitive Restructuring

Discuss any questions the client may have regarding cognitive restruc-
turing. Review how thoughts and core beliefs can impact the client’s
view of him- or herself, others, and various situations. Discuss how nega-
tive thoughts can affect use of skills to improve adherence and mood.

Review: Problem Solving

Review problem solving and use of skills to select a plan of action and
to take an overwhelming task and break it down into manageable steps.

137
Discuss Transition to Becoming One’s Own Therapist

The key to a successful transition to becoming one’s own therapist is per-

sistent use of the skills learned in this program and gaining mastery over
them. Overemphasize this point with the client by suggesting that these
strategies and skills need to be practiced regularly so that they become more
automatic and habitual. In this way, when regular sessions of treatment
end, the client’s own program of treatment begins, and he or she can
work to solidify and expand the skills and strategies learned.

Client Progress

In order to help the client transition to this next phase of treatment in

which he or she takes over the role as the therapist, it is important for
the client to recognize the nature of any benefits achieved. One way to
look at progress is to use the Progress Summary Chart and review treat-
ment adherence, depression, and homework ratings over treatment ses-
sions. If there are sudden gains in treatment—dramatic or significant
reductions in a depression score or increased adherence in a given
week—it is important to discuss what occurred that week that caused
the change (i.e., the client finally set up a mail-in prescription to avoid
running out of medications, started exercising two times per week, etc.)

Usefulness of Treatment Strategies

In addition to attempting to recall which sessions produced the most

gains, review the treatment strategies and determine how useful they
have been for the client. Complete the Treatment Strategies and Useful-
ness Chart with the client and discuss it in session. This chart is also in-
cluded in the client workbook.

As the discussion progresses, provide positive feedback regarding the

approaches that worked and emphasize the importance of continuing
to use them. If there are strategies that have not worked, these do not
need to be continued. However, try to also problem-solve any difficul-

138
Table 9.1. Treatment Strategies and Usefulness Chart
Instructions: Please rate the usefulness of each strategy to you, from 0 to 100 (0 ⫽ Didn’t help
at all; 100 ⫽ Was extremely important for me). Also, take some time to provide notes to your-
self about why you think each strategy worked or didn’t work to help you, and figure out which
strategies might be most helpful for you to practice over the next month.

Usefulness Notes About Your Application/

Treatment Strategies Ratings Usefulness of Strategies

Psychoeducation
Understanding the relationship between
thoughts, behaviors, and physical symp-
toms and depression and adherence
Motivational exercise: weighing pros and
cons of changing vs. not changing

Adherence Training (Life-Steps)

Understanding the importance of treatment
adherence
Plan for transportation to medical appoint-
ments
Plan for obtaining medications or other self-
care items
Plan for optimizing communication with
medical and mental health care providers
Plan for coping with side effects of medica-
tions and medical regimen
Formulate a daily schedule for medications
and other self-care behaviors
Plan for storing medications
Develop cues for taking medications or im-
plementing other self-care procedures
Prepare for adaptively coping with slips in
adherence and preventing relapse

Activity Scheduling
Understand the relationship between activi-
ties and mood
Incorporate activities that involve pleasure or
mastery into daily schedule

continued

139
Table 9.1. Treatment Strategies and Usefulness Chart continued
Usefulness Notes About Your Application/
Treatment Strategies Ratings Usefulness of Strategies

Cognitive Restructuring (Adaptive Thinking)

Identify automatic thoughts
Identify cognitive distortions
Rethink situations that make you feel bad
and develop rational response to auto-
matic thought
Test automatic thoughts in real-life situa-
tions (like during a new activity)
Use downward spiral technique and identify
core beliefs

Problem Solving
Articulate the problem
Articulate possible solutions
Select the best possible solution
Set a plan of action to implement the
solution
Break tasks into manageable steps

Relaxation Training
Diaphragmatic breathing
Progressive muscle relaxation

ties that the client may be having with using the strategies that did not
seem to work.

For example, if the client was having difficulty incorporating cardiovas-

cular exercises into his or her weekly routine, you can say:

It seems like using activity scheduling to build in an exercise regimen

did not work for you. It may help for us to review what your exercise
goals and plan were to see if we can problem-solve some of the things
that got in the way.

140
 What were your exercise goals? What was your exercise plan? Do you
know what got in the way? When you did exercise, how did you feel
right afterward? How about the following day(s)? How did you expect
to feel? What did you expect to gain?

If the client’s goals or plan can be improved, help the client to renegoti-
ate them. If that activity does not seem to work for the client at all, iden-
tify new activities instead.

Maintaining Gains, Preventing Relapse, and Ending Treatment

Maintaining Gains

An important distinction for clients to be aware of is the difference be-

tween a “setback” and a “relapse.” Review the Improvement Graph from
chapter 4 (figure 4.4) to help the client improve his or her expectations
about what behavioral change really looks like. Point to the graph and
explain that most clients expect change to happen steadily and consis-
tently and to be able to easily maintain the changes they have made. In
contrast, progress usually happens with ebbs and flows over the sessions
and with some dips after treatment. Explain that “setbacks” are part of
progress. You may use the following sample dialogue:

Successfully completing treatment does not mean that you will not
have future difficulties with symptoms. For most conditions, symptoms
and the changes you have made can wax and wane over time. The key
to maintaining treatment gains over the long run is to be ready for
periods of increased difficulties. These periods are not signs that the
treatment has failed. Instead, these periods are signals that you need to
apply the skills and practice them often.

Encourage the client to use the One-Month Review Sheet provided in

the workbook to refresh skills as needed. Explain that the purpose of the
worksheet is to remind the client of the importance of practicing skills
and to help the client think through which strategies might be impor-

141
 tant to practice. You may use the following sample dialogue to facilitate
this discussion:

Completing the review sheet may help you to prepare to recover from
missing doses (or lapsing from an exercise routine, or breaking your
diet regimen), which, in the long run, is likely to occur. If a lapse oc-
curs, the best choice is to return to your adherence program as soon as
possible instead of acting on hopeless thoughts and giving up. If you
can identify what led to the lapse, the information can help to solidify
the skills and avoid future lapses. Lapses are normal and not a big
problem. They only become a big problem when they lead to relapse
and giving up on the self-care regimen.

Troubleshooting Difficulties

It may also be helpful to match some of the symptoms the client is ex-
periencing with some of the specific strategies used in treatment. You
can use the CBT model of depression worksheet to help the client to
identify his or her specific cognitions, behaviors, and physiological
symptoms that the client reports experiencing when depressed.

Use table 9.2 to help the client match specific symptoms with skills that
were taught in the treatment sessions.

In addition, encourage the client to use the problem-solving worksheets

to more carefully consider any difficulties with symptoms. Also suggest
that the client enlist the help of family and friends and/or schedule a
booster session with you if these strategies are not effective in improving
his or her depression or adherence.

Termination

As with any therapy, spend some time processing termination with the
client. Share your thoughts about how it was for you to work with the
client, noting aspects of the treatment that were especially enjoyable for
you (i.e., “I know you really had doubts about being able to monitor
your glucose regularly, and it was a pleasure for me to watch you work

142
Table 9.2 Symptoms and Skills Chart
Symptoms of Depression Skills to Consider

I haven’t been taking my medications Review Life-Steps Skills

lately because they make me feel sick. • Life-Step 2: Communicating with treat-
ment team
• Life-Step 3: Coping with side effects
I’ve been spending more time alone and Monitor activities and mood on a daily basis
haven’t felt like doing much lately. using Activity Log
Incorporate activities that involve pleasure or
mastery into daily schedule
I don’t feel like going out to dinner with Identify automatic thoughts
friends and family because I need to watch Identify cognitive distortions
my diet and don’t want to have to explain Record automatic thoughts and match to dis-
my illness to them. tortions using Thought Record
Challenge automatic thoughts and come up
with a rational response
I need to lose weight but I just don’t Practice problem-solving strategies (articulate
know where to start. the problem, generate possible solutions,
choose the best alternative)
Break tasks down into manageable steps
I get so anxious and stressed out sometimes Diaphragmatic breathing
at work and I have trouble calming down. Progressive muscle relaxation

through that and get to the point now where you can’t imagine not
doing routine glucose checking”). Congratulate the client for all of the
hard work that was put into completing this treatment program. It was
demanding! However, we truly believe these skills can make a profound
difference and help improve depression and adherence. Remind the
client one final time to “practice, practice, practice the skills that were
learned! Improvements will not magically maintain themselves. Only
through continued use will they become automatic.”

143
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About the Authors

Dr. Steven Safren is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Harvard

Medical School and the Director of Behavioral Medicine in the Depart-
ment of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). He also
directs the cognitive-behavioral track and behavioral medicine training
tracks of the MGH clinical psychology internship and is a research sci-
entist at Fenway Community Health. Dr. Safren received his PhD in
clinical psychology from the University at Albany, State University of
New York, in 1998 and did his internship and postdoctoral fellowship at
Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Dr. Safren
has over 75 professional publications. He has received several grants from
the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop and evaluate cogni-
tive-behavioral interventions, including two studies of CBT-AD in pa-
tients with HIV and depression and one in patients with diabetes and
depression. Additional NIH funding includes studies of CBT for adults
with ADHD. Dr. Safren has served as a regular reviewer for the National
Institutes of Health’s study section, which reviews grants related to be-
havioral aspects of HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Gonzalez is a Clinical Assistant in Psychology at Massa-

chusetts General Hospital and an Instructor in Psychology at Harvard
Medical School. Dr. Gonzalez received his PhD in clinical psychology,
with a specialization in health psychology, from the University of
Miami. He completed his internship and postdoctoral fellowship at
Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. In 2006 he
was awarded the Early Career Award by the International Society of Be-
havioral Medicine. Dr. Gonzalez has 20 professional publications on be-
havioral medicine approaches to the study of HIV, diabetes, and cancer.
He is currently co-principal investigator and project director on an
NIH-funded grant to evaluate the efficacy of CBT-AD in patients with

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 diabetes and depression. He is also a protocol therapist on both this
study and a trial of CBT-AD in patients with depression and HIV. Dr.
Gonzalez is a licensed psychologist specializing in behavioral medicine
interventions for clients with chronic medical conditions and cognitive-
behavioral therapy approaches to the treatment of mood and anxiety
disorders.

Dr. Nafisseh Soroudi is a Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry at Massachusetts

General Hospital (MGH). Dr. Soroudi received her PhD in clinical
health psychology from Yeshiva University, Ferkauf Graduate School of
Psychology. She completed her internship at Montefiore Medical Cen-
ter and her postdoctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospi-
tal/Harvard Medical School. Dr. Soroudi has several professional publi-
cations on behavioral medicine approaches to the study of HIV, obesity,
and diabetes. She is currently the project director and a protocol thera-
pist of a NIDA-funded grant to evaluate the efficacy of CBT-AD in pa-
tients with HIV and on methadone therapy. Clinically, Dr. Soroudi spe-
cializes in behavioral medicine interventions for clients and couples with
chronic medical conditions and cognitive-behavioral therapy ap-
proaches to the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders.

Authors’ note: This treatment was developed as part of several NIH

grants awarded to Dr. Safren and colleagues. These include grants
MH066660 (Safren), MH078571 (Safren and Gonzalez) from the Na-
tional Institute of Mental Health, and grant DA018603 (Safren) from
the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

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