Adolescent Coping With Depression Course (CWD-A)

The Program 

The Adolescent Coping With Depression Course (CWD-A) is a cognitive-behavioral group intervention that targets specific problems typically experienced by depressed adolescents. These problems include discomfort and anxiety, irrational/negative thoughts, poor social skills, and limited experiences of pleasant activities.  

Core components of the program include: 

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model of change 

• Mood monitoring 

• Increasing pleasant activities (behavioral activation) 

• Social skills training 

• Relaxation training 

• Identification of negative thoughts and cognitive restructuring 

• Communication and problem-solving training 

• Relapse prevention 

Intended Audience 

The intended audience of this intervention is high school aged (13-19) adolescents with depression. 

Implementation 

The program consists of 16 two-hour sessions delivered over eight weeks in mixed-gender groups of 5-10 participants. Key components include mood monitoring, social skills training, relaxation techniques, behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, communication, problem-solving, and relapse prevention. A workbook accompanies each participant, with structured tasks, quizzes, and homework aimed at reinforcing skills and encouraging real-world application. Additionally, a companion 9-session Parent Course is available to help parents learn the same skills and provide support to their children. The program is implemented in various settings, including outpatient clinics, community agencies, and schools. To ensure effectiveness, the program includes detailed manuals for therapists and fidelity measures for monitoring adherence and competence. The goal of CWD-A is to reduce depressive symptoms, promote remission, and improve psychosocial functioning for adolescents, involving both the adolescents and their families in the treatment process. 

Outcomes 

• Reduction of current depressive symptoms 

• Remission from current depressive disorder 

• Improvements in psychosocial functioning 

Evidence 

The studies provided examine various interventions, predominantly Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), aimed at addressing depression in adolescents, specifically focusing on child and family well-being outcomes. Several studies tested CBT programs, notably the Coping With Depression Course for Adolescents (CWD-A), for adolescents with depression. These studies found that CBT was effective in reducing depressive symptoms, with improvements in behavior, social functioning, and reductions in parent-adolescent conflict. Both individual and group CBT approaches yielded substantial improvements, with some showing lasting effects for up to 24 months post-treatment. The results were consistent across various forms of the program, including versions with parent involvement. Additionally, this program is listed in the following registries: 

• SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices 

• Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development 

• Promising Practices Network on Children, Families, and Communities 

• Early Intervention Foundation 

• The Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness 

• The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC) 

Additional Resources 

• Learn more about Coping With Depression Course for Adolescents (CWD-A)

• Find more information on the training course  

• Check out a fact sheet about adolescent mental health

• Watch a video by the National Institute of Mental Health about adolescent depression

Contact Information 

Greg Clarke, Ph.D. | Developer 

Email: greg.clarke@kpchr.org 

Trainer and Developer 

This program was developed by Greg Clarke, Ph.D.