Targeting Depression in the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Population

CFT (Compassion Focussed Therapy) for Depression study; Participants in the CFT intervention will receive and complete a CFT workbook for targeting depression and have 8 x individual 1-hour Skype sessions, once/ week for 8 weeks with a Provisional Psychologist. The CFT intervention will focus on completion of weekly modules within the provided workbook, providing psychoeducation about the onset of depression and emotion regulation, mindful self-compassion exercises, and adapting thinking and behaviours to become more compassion-oriented. A focus of sessions with therapists will be the practicing of skills in session, problem-solving difficulties in engaging in skills, and providing support and encouragement for participants to complete workbook content. Provisional Psychologists are all enrolled in post-graduate Clinical Psychology degrees. The intervention will occur in the participant’s home and the La Trobe University Psychology Clinic using Skype software. Intervention adherence will be assessed by a Research Assistant; the therapist will tick a checklist each session of required topics and exercises completed (e.g., review of homework between sessions, completion of a mindfulness activity), which the Research Assistant will check weekly. Treatment fidelity will be improved by regular supervision from a Clinical Psychologist informed of any reductions in adherence.