Interventions and Technology

Evidence-Based Interventions

Preventive Cognitive Therapy (PCT)

Developed by Claudi Bockting, Preventive Cognitive Therapy is an exentensively researched method for relapse prevention in depression. Thoughout 8 sessions, clients and therapeut develop a tailor-made plan to overcome depression relapse. PCT is cost effective, can be used alongside or as an alternative to anti-depressants and has been shown to provide significant protection against relapse over a period of 2 to 20 years. PCT is selected for dissimination via the Ministry of Health and MIND.

For more information, see here or download our brochure.

  • Books for Clinicians:

    Preventieve cognitieve training bij terugkerende depressie. 
    Auteur: Claudi L. H. Bockting
    2009 | ISBN 9789031353071 | 1e druk
    Bohn Stafleu van Loghum € 47,95

    Terapia cognitiva preventiva para la depresión recurrente
    Auteur: Claudi L. H. Bockting (adaptado y traducido por Cristian J. Garay & Cristina Tenreyro)
    2020 | ISBN 978-98-9875704350 | 1e druk
    Liberia Akadia Editorial, € 17,99

    Self-help Books:

    Between dip and dream: Break your patterns, dare to feel.
    Authors: Claudi LH Bockting & Evelien van Valen
    2013 | ISBN 9789000328857 | 1st edition
    Spectrum € 10.00

    No more depressed. 
    Author: Claudi LH Bockting
    2009 | ISBN 9789031374274 | 1st edition
    Bohn Stafleu van Loghum € 23.95

  • de Jonge, M., Blankers, M., Bockting, C. L., van Dijk, M. K., Kikkert, M. J., & Dekker, J. J. M. (2024). Economic evaluation of preventive cognitive therapy versus care as usual in cognitive behavioral therapy responders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1134071.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1134071

    Gülpen, J., Brouwer, M. E., Geurtsen, G. J., van Dis, E. A. M., Denys, D. A. J. P., & Bockting, C. L. (2023). Treatments for partial remission of major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Mental Health, 26(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjment-2023-300827

    Legemaat, A. M., Burger, H., Geurtsen, G. J., Brouwer, M., Spinhoven, P., Denys, D., Bockting, C. L. (2023). Effects up to 20-year follow-up of Preventive Cognitive Therapy in adults remitted from recurrent depression: the DELTA study. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 92(1), 55-64. https://doi.org/10.1159/000527906

    Bockting, C. L., Legemaat, A. M., van der Stappen, J., Geurtsen, G. J., Semkovska, M., Burger, H., Bergfeld, I. O., Lous, N., Denys, D., & Brouwer, M. (2022). Augmenting neurocognitive remediation therapy to Preventive Cognitive Therapy for partially remitted depressed patients: protocol of a pragmatic multicentre randomized controlled trial. BMJ open12(6), e063407. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063407

    Bockting, C. L., & Rief, W. (2022). Ambassadors of clinical psychology and psychological treatment. Clinical Psychology in Europe4(1), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.32872/cpe.8545

    Breedvelt, J., Brouwer, M. E., Harrer, M., Semkovska, M., Ebert, D. D., Cuijpers, P., & Bockting, C. L. (2021). Psychological interventions as an alternative and add-on to antidepressant medication to prevent depressive relapse: Systematic review and meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry :The Journal of Mental Science, 219(4), 538–545. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2020.198

    Breedvelt, J., Warren, F. C., Segal, Z., Kuyken, W., & Bockting, C. L. (2021). Continuation of antidepressants vs sequential psychological interventions to prevent relapse in depression: An individual participant data meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(8), 868–875. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.0823

    Breedvelt, J. J. F., Warren, F. C., Brouwer, M. E., Karyotaki, E., Kuyken, W., Cuijpers, P., van Oppen, P., Gilbody., S. &  Bockting, C. L. (2020). Individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of psychological relapse prevention interventions versus control for patients in remission from depression: A protocol. BMJ Open, 10(2), e034158. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034158

    Breedvelt, J. J. F., Zamperoni, V., South, E., Uphoff, E. P., Gilbody, S., Bockting, C. L., Churchill, R., & Kousoulis, A. A. (2020). A systematic review of mental health measurement scales for evaluating the effects of mental health prevention interventions. European Journal of Public Health, 30(3), 510-516. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckz233

    Brouwer, M. E., Molenaar, N. M., Burger, H., Williams, A. D., Albers, C., Lambregtse-van den Berg, M., & Bockting, C. L. (2020). Tapering antidepressants while receiving digital Preventive Cognitive Therapy during pregnancy: An experience sampling methodology trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.574357

    Molenaar, N. M., Brouwer, M. E., Burger, H.,

    Kamperman, A. M., Bergink, V., Hoogendijk, W. J. G., Williams, A., Bockting, C. L., & Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P. (2020). Preventive cognitive therapy with antidepressant discontinuation during pregnancy: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 81(4). https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.19l13099

    de Jonge, M., Bockting, C. L., Kikkert, M. J., van Dijk, M. K., van Schaik, D. J. F., Peen, J., Hollon, S., & Dekker, J. J. M. (2019). Preventive cognitive therapy versus care as usual in cognitive behavioral therapy responders: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87(6), 521-529. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000395

    Klein, N. S., Wijnen, B. F. M., Lokkerbol, J., Buskens, E., Elgersma, H. J., van Rijsbergen, G. D., Slofstra, C., Ormel, J., Dekker, J., de Jong, P., & Bockting, C. L. (2019). Cost-effectiveness, cost-utility and the budget impact of antidepressants versus preventive cognitive therapy with or without tapering of antidepressants. BJPsych Open, 5(1), e12. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2018.81

    van Dis, E. A. M., van Veen, S. C., Hagenaars, M. A., Batelaan, N. M., Bockting, C. L., van den Heuvel, R. M., Cuijpers, P., Engelhard, I. M. (2019). Long-term outcomes of cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety-related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(3), 265-273. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.3986

    Bockting, C. L., Klein, N. S., Elgersma, H. J., van Rijsbergen, G. D., Slofstra, C., Ormel, J., Buskens, E., Dekker, J., de Jong, P. J., Nolen, W. A., Schene, A. H., Hollon, S. D., Burger, H. (2018). The effectiveness of preventive cognitive therapy while tapering antidepressants compared with maintenance antidepressant treatment and their combination in the prevention of depressive relapse or recurrence (DRD study): A three-arm randomised controlled trial. Lancet Psychiatry, 5(5), 401-410. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30100-7

    Spinhoven, P., Klein, N., Kennis, M., Cramer, A. O. J., Siegle, G., Cuijpers, P., Ormel, J., Hollon, S., & Bockting, C. L. (2018). The effects of cognitive-behavior therapy for depression on repetitive negative thinking: A meta-analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 106, 71-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2018.04.002

    Bennebroek Evertsz', F., Sprangers, M. A. G., Sitnikova, K., Stokkers, P. C. F., Ponsioen, C. Y., Bartelsman, J. F. W. M., van Bodegraven, A. A., Fischer, S., Depla, A. C. T. M., Mallant, R. C., Sanderman, R., Burger, H., & Bockting, C. L. (2017). Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting  and Clinical Psychology. 85(9), 918-925. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000227

    Molenaar, N. M., Brouwer, M. E., Bockting, C. L.,Bonsel, G. J., van der Veere, C. N., Torij, H.  W., Hoogendijk, W. J., Duvekot, J. J., Burger, H. & Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P. (2016). Stop or go? Preventive cognitive therapy with guided tapering of antidepressants during pregnancy: study protocol of a pragmatic multicentre noninferiority randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, 16(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888016-0752-6

    Bockting, C. L.,Smid, N. H., Koeter, M. W., Spinhoven, P., Beck, A. T., & Schene, A. H. (2015). Enduring effects of Preventive Cognitive Therapy in adults remitted from recurrent depression: A 10 year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 185, 188–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2015.06.048

    Burger, H., Bockting, C. L.,Beijers, C., Verbeek, T., Stant, A. D., Ormel, J., Stolk, R. P., de Jonge, P., De Jonge, M., Bockting, C. L.,Kikkert, M. J., Bosmans, J. E., & Dekker, J. J. (2015). Preventive Cognitive Therapy versus Treatment as Usual in preventing recurrence of depression: Protocol of a multi-centered randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, 15(1), 1.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-015-0508-8

    Bockting, C. L.,Spinhoven, P., Wouters, L. F., Koeter, M. W. J, Schene, A. H., & the DELTA study group (2009). Long term effects of preventive cognitive therapy in recurrent depression: A 5.5 years follow-up. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 70, 1621-1628.https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.08m04784

    Ten Doesschate, M. C., Bockting, C. L.,& Schene, A. H. (2009). Adherence to continuation and maintenance antidepressant use in recurrent depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 115, 167-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.07.011

    Ten Doesschate, M. C, Bockting, C. L.,Koeter, M. W. J., & Schene, A. H. (2009). Predictors of non-adherence to continuation and maintenance antidepressant treatment in recurrent depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 70, 63-69. https://doi.org/10.4088/jcp.08m04119

    Bockting, C. L.,Spinhoven, Ph., Koeter, M. W. J., Wouters, L. F., Schene, A. H., & the DELTA study group. (2006). Prediction of recurrence in recurrent depression and the influence of consecutive episodes on vulnerability: A 2-year prospective study. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67, 747-755. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.v67n0508

    Bockting, C. L.,Spinhoven, P., Koeter, M. W. J., Wouters, L. F., Visser, I., Schene, A. H., & the  DELTA study group. (2006). Differential predictors of response to preventive cognitive therapy in recurrent depression: A 2-year prospective study.

    Bockting, C. L.,Schene, A. H., Spinhoven, P., Koeter, M. W. J., Wouters, L. F., Huyser, J., & Kamphuis, J. H. (2005). Preventing relapse/recurrence in recurrent depression using cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 647-657. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.73.4.647

Blended: E-health intervention for general practicians

The use of anti-depressant medication is common among general practicians (GP), despite patient’s preference for therapeudic psychological treatment. However treatment is not always an option due to time constraints and lack of accessibility. A solution to these issues is Bledend, an innovative approach that combines guided online treatment with face-to-face GP support. This project was conducted with funding from ZonMw.

  • Massoudi, B., Blanker, M.H., Van Valen, E., Wouters, H., Bockting, C. L., Burger, H. (2017). Blended care vs. usual care in the treatment of Depressive symptoms and disorders IN General practice [BLENDING]: study protocol of a non-inferiority randomized trial. BMC Psychiatry, 17, 218. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1376-1

Guided Act & Feel: Internet-based behavioral activation intervention for depression

Guided Act & Feel is a behavioral-activation intervention delivered via an attractive website that provides thosestruggling with their mental health with step-by-step instructions and structural weekly assignement to combat depression. This method can be performed by lay councelors that have been trained to deliver the intervention. The aim of Act & Feel is to bring psychological help to places where access is limited due to a low number of mental halth care professionals available.

  • Arjadi, R., Nauta, M. H., Suryani, A. O., & Bockting, C. L. (2018). Guided act and feel Indonesia – Internet-based behavioral activation intervention for depression in Indonesia: A systematic cultural adaptation. Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia, 22(1), 3-11. https://doi.org/10.7454/hubs.asia.2050418

    Arjadi, R., Arjadi, R., Nauta, M.H., Scholte, W.F., Hollon, S.D., Chowdhary, N., Suryani, A.O., Bockting, C. L. (2016). Guided Act and Feel Indonesia (GAF-ID) - Internet-based behavioral activation intervention for depression in Indonesia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 17(1), 455. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-016-1577-9

Intervention Chatbot

Sustainable Technology for Adolescents and youth to Reduce Stress (STARS) is a WHO chatbot-intervention using an guided, interactive conversational agent to deliver self-help.

Ongoing Studies

HERSTEL Study

Patients partially remitted from depression are at increased risk of relapse. In the HERSTEL-study (eng. RECOVERY), we aim to further reduce depressive symptoms and the risk of relapse using multilevel interventions. To attain this goal, we compare the efficacy of Preventive Cognitive Therapy combined with a serious computer game intervention that targets cognitive functioning to Preventive Cognitive Therapy alone. This project is conducted with funding from the Hersenstichting.

REPAIR Study

Rebuilding Parent young Adult Interpersonal Relationships (REPAIR) is a randomized controlled trial evaluating the cost-effectiveness of family therapy (attachment based family therapy) to target in adolescents and young adults in in Belgium and The Netherlands. This project is conducted with funding from Benefit (ZonMw and KCE).

Suicide Prevention

In this project we conduct a randomized controlled trial comparing online CBT to online psycho-education that targets suicidality for individuals that seek help at 113.nl Zelfmoordpreventie.

Virtual Reality

A new treatment has been developed for depression using Virtual Reality interventions to target anhedonia and behavioral activation in depression together with dr. Martine van Bennekom (GGZ Delfland). A proof of concept study is ongoing, with a randomized momentary assessment design.

Another related study concerns a micro momentary assessment randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of Virtual Reality for psycho-education on self-stigma in depression (with GGZ Delfland).

Social Connection: Computer Modeling of Quality of Social Connections in Urban Mental Health Interventions

We will collect empirical data on social connection in ca. 750 participants in ongoing group interventions at Arkin, and use computational analysis to identify and predict quality social connections and decreases in loneliness among patients with depressive symptoms. Then, we will design a social connection intervention where we match people on a personal level, based on the computational analysis. We will test the intervention in a pilot study. The pilot data will be used to calibrate, validate and test the computational model. Finally, we hope this novel approach will lead to new best practices for social multilevel interventions in urban populations.

This project starts in September 2024 at the dept of psychiatry of Amsterdam UMC, and is funded by the Urban Mental Health Centre. Collaborators are FNWI faculty of the UvA and Arkin Voordeur (SHIFT LEFT Innovation Lab Mental Health)

Research topics: