Cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of depression in Christian patients with medical illness

Psychotherapy and religion are two widely utilised resources among people suffering from mental and physical illness. Intervention studies have found that integrating clients’ spiritual and religious beliefs in therapy is at least as effective, if not more effective, in reducing depression than secular treatments for religious clients. The medically depressed are at heightened risk of negative medical outcomes. One unexplored question is whether or not religious psychotherapy is more effective in treating depression in religious patients with physical illness. This article will present theoretical and empirical evidence to support the hypothesis that Christian cognitive behavioural therapy (C-CBT), which utilises the religious resources of patients in the treatment of depression, may boost the effects of conventional CBT in Christian patients with medical illness. Potential evidence and explanatory factors for this hypothesis will be explored. A description of major theoretical principles of C-CBT and future directions for research will also be discussed.