Criteria for discharge and strategies to prevent relapse.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is characterized by being structured, brief, and goal-oriented.

Proper planning of the frequency and duration of sessions is essential to achieve effective and sustainable results in treatment, especially in cases of depression.

Generally, the recommended frequency of CBT sessions is once a week, which allows for adequate monitoring of the patient's progress and the assignment of tasks to be applied in their daily life between sessions.

This weekly space offers the therapist the opportunity to monitor the development of the proposed techniques and evaluate the patient's response. In more serious or clinically complex situations, increasing the frequency to two sessions per week may be considered, provided that the patient's condition allows it and resources are available.

In terms of the duration of therapy, a complete treatment can range from 10 to 20 sessions, depending on factors such as the severity of the clinical picture, the patient's personal resources, the presence of social support, the complementary use of medication, and the response to treatment.

However, this number should not be considered rigid. The treatment plan should remain flexible and adapt to the evolution of each case, and may be extended or shortened as needed.

Each session usually lasts 45 to 60 minutes and follows an organized structure: review of the previous assignment, identification of recent problematic thoughts or behaviors, application of cognitive or behavioral techniques, assignment of new tasks for the following week, and closing with feedback.

In the initial phase of treatment, sessions focus on establishing the therapeutic alliance, clinical assessment, identifying symptoms and stressors, and implementing psychoeducation. At this stage, tools such as rating scales and self-records are also used to establish a baseline of the patient's emotional and cognitive state.

As treatment progresses and improvements are observed, sessions can be spaced out to a biweekly or monthly frequency in order to promote patient autonomy and avoid dependence on the therapist. This consolidation stage allows for the reinforcement of learned skills and the ability to cope with possible relapses.

The structure of the therapy should allow for gradual progression. The first sessions focus on recognizing emotions and thoughts, while the intermediate phases address techniques such as cognitive restructuring, problem solving, social skills training, and emotional regulation.

Finally, the last sessions reinforce achievements, consolidate coping strategies, and establish a follow-up plan. It is important to emphasize that individualization of treatment is key. Although there are general guidelines, each patient has their own pace.

Planning must be tailored to their characteristics, medical history, motivation, and context. CBT is not applied in a standardized way, but is adjusted to maximize its effectiveness in each particular case.