Doctoral Student Profile

Charlotte Hasson

Supervisors: Doug Boer, Nicola Starkey

Increasing the effectiveness of CBT for depression in married individuals
The purpose of this research is to increase the effectiveness of therapy for married individuals with depression. This researcher is interested in determining how self-disclosure with one's partner regarding depressive symptoms affects not only depressive levels but also marital satisfaction levels. More specifically, a protocol in the form of a 'workbook' has been developed by this researcher based on past literature and studies in the field of psychology for the participants to use with their partner at home to guide them in discussing their depressive symptoms with their partner. The workbook is designed as a homework tool to use outside of their regular therapy sessions to accentuate the therapeutic process. Past research has shown that many individuals suffering from depression feel ashamed to discuss their difficulties and symptoms with their partner in fear that their partner may think negatively of them as a result. Research has indicated that many people with depression, therefore, feel more comfortable talking to a therapist instead of their partner about such personal matters. It is the intention that the workbook in this study will help faciliate comfortable and effective communication between partners to ultimately improve the depressed person's support network, problem-solving, goal setting abilities, and communication and openness with their spouse, and thus increase the overall effectiveness of the therapeutic process. Depressive levels, maritial satisfaction levels, as well as many other subscales will be measured both before the participants undergo therapy and after their treatment has finished in order to determine the affects of self-dislcosure with their partner.