Case study clinical example CBT: First session with a client with symptoms of depression (CBT model)

Case study example for use in teaching, aiming to demonstrate some of the triggers, thoughts, feelings and responses linked with problematic low mood. This section here represents the first 14 minutes of an initial therapy session, but in order to try and outline the vicious cycle, it moves faster than an average session might. The video features an actor playing the character of Lucy, but the dialogue is not scripted, and as such represents a natural therapeutic exchange. I myself am a qualified Clinical Psychologist, but would definitely not suggest that this is a perfect example of therapy!

This video was produced as a collaboration between the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University (Ricardo Barker).

[bperry]

People need to realize that therapy isn't going in and your therapist telling you that "everything will be alright", then you're gonna be cured after 12 sessions of hearing that. You have to put in work. Heavy emotional work, that is. If you think you are going into a therapist office expecting for THEM to make you all better, you will never get better. A therapist is more like a tour guide of your experiences and they help you to see things in a different way so that YOU can change your way of thinking about whatever you are being impacted by.

[binuamy]

I kept my mouth shut in my very first CBT session 😂. As a stubborn teenager I didn't want to express my feelings in front of a stranger even she's my psychologist. My psychologist became friendly, loving, kind and understandable, So as I was comfortable, I started revealing everything to her in my 3rd session. I just want to say my psychologist thank you for being patient with me and having my back each and every time. She's such a good & truthful friend of mine today.

[yayothejowen]

For those people who are commenting how she's a terrible actor that portays depression wrong doesn't know the fact that most patients are usually nervous in their first session and so they used smiling and laughter as a defense mechanism and to look less vulnerable to someone they are completely meeting for the first time. There are lots of depressed people out there who end up trying to hide their true emotions due to various reasons. The mindset that a person can only be truly depressed if they can't smile anymore is the problem. Not everyone is what they seem, take a look at Robin Williams for example. He looked like such a wonderful and charming man only for us to find out he was struggling with depression for a long time...

[FlyKidzy]

The actor is incredible. Body language and vocal tonality were on point.

[ashleymdesouza]

I think this is great representation of a first session. Building rapport, providing validation and actively listening. I know people are so quick to want a solution.. but recovery takes time. Recovery and change happens in the process of therapy, regardless of what modality the therapist is utilizing!

[alexaambrose]

Just had my first therapy session and I might say... this girl is an ACTUAL REPRESENTATION on me when I just had my session a few hours ago.

[mineeenexttt]

She's asking every question I don't want to answer

[prarthanadutta]

I was feeling like I'm hearing myself. Left me crying.

[roberthook]

I have had depression and associated anxiety for 15 years. Ive had a plethora of medications and Ive fought suicide daily. A new shrink weened me off tablets and put me in with a CBT therapist. Ive had 14 sessions and am now winding down in frequency towards finishing. Its not easy but I worked hard and can now say that I think differently and even happy at times after 15 years. Im no longer on medication and incidently my suicidal thoughts disapeared as soon as came off medication. I will always have depression Im sure but now I deal with it and IT doesnt control me. Thank you Liz

[JennaRose]

As someone going to school to be a therapist, this video was a great representation! It reminds me of all the years I’ve spent in therapy

[SlightlyBliss]

wow didn't even know she was an actress till i read the description, great acting!

[buffplums]

Thank you for sharing this. I'm a 51 year old man who has been trying to prove himself at work and the harder I try, the less effective I am. I have very similar symptoms, I wanted to mention this because depression, anxiety can affect anyone, male female, young and old. It's very common from what I am learning.
I just want to add that you are not alone and despite the negative feelings and physical experiences, I recognise a lot of these myself.
I hope that you are benefiting from your help.

[ucheucheuche]

This session feels like a soft interrogation, a total interview about your inner person. I tremble watching this.

[jessicah]

This exactly hit every nail on the head for me. The tiredness, the anger and frustration, the deep sadness but unsure exactly why it's felt at such a strong level. Right down to the isolation and avoidance which is one of the most overwhelming forces encountered but which just helps feed the depression...also having high expectations of oneself, feelings of being unworthy and irrelevant...an imposter of sorts in any sort of social situation...the actress did a brill job though and thank you for showing this.

[thewisdomtherapist]

CBT saved my life. After that I became a CBT therapist and CBT wisdom promotor to help as many people as possible.

[samanthafields]

I didn't realize that this girl was acting! This is one of the few counseling videos that I've watched where the client was believable. That had a huge impact on what I was able to learn from this video. Thank you!

[aaronedvalson]

I've been to a few therapists and got a bad taste from the way they had demonized the people in my life and effectively criticized me for my habits and actions. Just watching this video gives me a vicarious sensation of reflection in what similar experiences I've had. Thanks for sharing this! I wish I could've found someone like you when I needed it most.

[tamileday]

Thank you for this video. The symptoms of depression and the way "Lucy" displayed them, verbal and non-verbal, rang true. I really enjoyed the dialogue and the establishment of rapport/trust. Thank you so much, Judith! Look forward to seeing more from you.

[Tatiana-qpgc]

When she Said “sorry” for being emotional, perhaps the therapist could have Said something like : you don’t need to feel sorry for being emotional, it’s ok” so she dosen’t start hiding her feelings. Thanks 🙏🏾

[buffplums]

First saw this 4 years ago and I recognise so much here... I have actually discovered how powerful mindfullness can be and I am coming out of all the negativity I was in. It’s so sad seeing people like this young lady seeing so much negative experiences in her life. But what I have found is that negativity has been my downfall and when you are in negativity it’s comforting to stay there and it has robbed me of so much... but the thing that made the difference for me was discovering that I didn’t need to try ... it’s not a case of ‘oh just think positive’ that’s the trouble why positivity gets a bad press...
gosh I would so want to people like this dear young lady I want to share how I have learnt ...
This poor girl is clearly crying inside despite her laughs... she so needs to feel love and self love too ... oh my heart goes out to her x