Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression

Apply CBT strategies to address thoughts, behaviours and core beliefs that maintain depression

This training is suitable for:

• Mental Health Professional: psychotherapists, counsellors, psychologists, social workers.
• Medical Professionals: nurses, psychiatrists, pediatricians, family doctors.
• Direct Service Workers: drop in workers, shelter and hostel workers.

Client category: For professionals who work with adult populations.

Prerequisite: Background in CBT

Level of training: Introductory/Intermediate

CE hours: 3

Overview:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) offers a structured approach to understanding and treating depression by examining the relationships among thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

This on-demand training focuses on the CBT conceptualization and treatment strategies for managing unipolar depression. You will review the CBT model and learn how to apply it when conceptualizing depression. The training explores key treatment strategies including behavioural activation, cognitive restructuring and core belief work. You will examine approaches for identifying patterns in activity and mood, working with automatic thoughts through thought records and Socratic questioning, and identifying and modifying underlying beliefs that may contribute to ongoing difficulties.

The training also considers how to apply these strategies collaboratively with clients and how to respond to common barriers that can arise during treatment.

Learning objectives:

• Differentiate depression from related clinical presentations
• Apply a CBT case conceptualization to depression
• Use cognitive restructuring techniques to identify and evaluate automatic thoughts
• Implement behavioural activation strategies
• Identify and work with intermediate and core beliefs

Build on your CBT knowledge with practical approaches for conceptualizing depression and applying behavioural activation, cognitive restructuring and core belief strategies in your work with clients.

This on-demand training was recorded in June 2026 specifically for self-paced learning.

Upon registration, participants will receive a confirmation email that includes access information to our on-demand training platform, SickKids Academy Online. Participants will have access for 90 days from the date they begin the course on SickKids Academy Online. Following the training, participants are required to complete a quiz to receive the Certificate of Participation.

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Updated October 1, 2026