Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Community Clinics: A Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial

The authors examined whether brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (bCBT) for depression, delivered by mental health providers in community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) of the Veterans Health Administration, improved depression outcomes and was feasible and acceptable in clinical settings.

The authors used a type-2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation, patient-randomized trial to compare bCBT with enhanced usual care. Participants (N=189) with moderate symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire–9 [PHQ-9] score ≥10) were enrolled from CBOCs in the southern United States. bCBT (N=109) consisted of three to six sessions, delivered by mental health providers (N=17) as part of routine clinic practices. Providers received comprehensive training and support to facilitate bCBT delivery. Recipients of enhanced usual care (N=80) were given educational materials and encouraged to discuss treatment options with their primary care provider. The primary effectiveness outcome was PHQ-9–assessed depression symptoms posttreatment (4 months after baseline) and at 8- and 12-month follow-ups. Implementation outcomes focused on bCBT dose received, provider fidelity, and satisfaction with bCBT training and support.

bCBT improved depression symptoms (Cohen’s d=0.55, p<0.01) relative to enhanced usual care posttreatment, and the improvement was maintained at 8- and 12-month follow-ups (p=0.004). bCBT participants received a mean±SD of 3.7±2.7 sessions (range 0–9), and 64% completed treatment (≥3 sessions). Providers delivered bCBT with fidelity and reported that bCBT training and support were feasible and effective.

bCBT had a modest treatment footprint of approximately four sessions, was acceptable to participants and providers, was feasible for delivery in CBOCs, and produced meaningful sustained improvements in depression.