Objective: To describe the use of cognitive techniques and to review studies on the efficacy of CBT in the treatment of depression.
Method: A non-systematic review of the literature of original studies complemented with data from meta-analyses and specialized textbooks.
Results: The fundamentals of cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression are described and the evidence of short- and long-term efficacy is reviewed. The use of pharmacological therapy in conjunction with CBT is also discussed.
Conclusions: CBT in the treatment of depression is one of the therapeutic modalities with the highest empirical evidence of efficacy, whether applied alone or in combination with pharmacotherapy.