INTERVENTIONS & TECHNOLOGY

PREVENTIVE COGNITIVE THERAPY

Developed by Claudi Bockting, Preventive Cognitive Therapy (PTC) 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.

Evidence-based intervention against relapse in depression and anxiety

Books for Clinicians:

Preventive Cogitive Therapy for Depression: An evidence based approach to reduce relapse risk.
Author: Claudi LH Bockting
In print
Guilford Press

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

Books for Clients:

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

  • Gülpen, J., Breedvelt, J. J.F., van Dis, E. A.M., Geurtsen, G. J., Warren, F. C., van Heeringen, C., Hitchcock, C., Holländare, F., Huijbers, M. J., Jarrett, R. B., Jermann, F., de Jonge, M., Klein, D. N., Klein, N. S., Ma, S.H., Moore, M. T., Denys, D. A.J.P., Williams, J.M. G., Kuyken, W., & Bockting, C. L. (2025). Psychological interventions for preventing relapse in individuals with partial remission of depression: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 55, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291725000157

    Breedvelt, J. J. F., Karyotaki, E., Warren, F. C., Brouwer, M. E., Jermann, F., Hollandare, F., Klein, N., de Jonge, M., Klein, D. N., Farb, N., Segal, Z., Biesheuvel Leliefeld, K. E. M., Jarrett, R., Vittengl, J., Thase, M., Ma, H., Kuyken, W., Shallcross, A. J., van Heeringen, C., … Bockting, C. L. (2024). An individual participant data meta-analysis of psychological interventions for preventing depression relapse. Nature Mental Health, 2(2), 154–163. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-023-00178-x

    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 open, 12(6), e063407. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063407

    Van Tol, M.-J., Kleef, R. S. van, Eike, R., Valen, E. van, Marsman, J.-B., Renken, R., Aleman, A., & Bockting, C. L. (2021). Neurocognitive mechanisms of change following Preventive Cognitive Therapy for preventing relapse in depression: A randomized controlled trial. PsyArXiv.https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/n8tvx

    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

    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, 574357. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.574357

    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

    Molenaar, N. M., Brouwer, M. E., Burger, H., Kamperman, A. M., Bergink, V., Hoogendijk, W., Williams, A. D., Bockting, C. L., & Lambregtse-van den Berg, M. P. (2020). Preventive Cognitive Therapy with antidepressant discontinuation during pregnancy: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11(4), 19l13099. http://doi.org/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

    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

    Klein, N. S., Kok, G. D., Burger, H., van Valen, E., Riper, H., Cuijpers, P., Dekker, J., Smit, F., van der Heiden, C., & Bockting, C. L. (2018). No sustainable effects of an internet-based relapse prevention program over 24 months in recurrent depression: Primary outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 87(1), 55-57. https://doi.org/10.1159/000485039

    Biesheuvel-Leliefeld, K. E. M., Dijkstra-Kersten, S.M.A. , van Schaik, D.J.F., van Marwijk, H. W. J., Smit, F., van der Horst, H.E., Bockting, C. L. (2017). Effectiveness of supported self-help in recurrent depression: A randomised controlled trial in primary care. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 86(4), 220-230, https://doi.org/10.1159/000472260

    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

    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), 139. 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

    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

    Bockting, C. L., ten Doesschate, M. C., Spijker, J., Spinhoven, P., Koeter, M. W. J., Schene, A. H. & the DELTA study group (2008). Continuation and maintenance use of antidepressants in recurrent depression. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 77, 17-26. https://doi.org/10.1159/000110056

    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. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 75, 229-236. https://doi.org/10.1159/000092893

    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

Interested in partaking on a PCT workshop or would you like to have access to our training videos?

Then please send us a message via our contact form.

BLENDED

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.

eHealth intervention for general practioners

  • 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

ACT AND FEEL

Guided Act & Feel is a behavioral-activation intervention delivered via an attractive website that provides those struggling 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.

Internet-based behavioral activation intervention for depression

  • 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

BRIEF COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY

Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder in primary care

Randomized controlled trial investigated how does (brief) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (bCBT) compares to care as usual by general practioners (GP) in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). bCBT consists of 8 short session admnistrated by a psychologist within a 12 month period. Sessions inolved behavioral activation and cognitive interventions such as identification and challenging of negative thoughts and behind attitudes and schemas. Results showed bCBT to be more effective than GP’s care as usual, suggesting it could be a first choice of treatment for MDD in primary care.

  • Schene, A. H., Baas, K. D., Koeter, M. W. J., Lucassen, P., Bockting, C. L., Wittkampf, K. A., Huyser, J., & van Weert, H. C. (2014). Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy compared to optimised general practitioners’ care for depression: A randomised trial. Journal of Depression and Anxiety, 2, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-1044.S2-001

    Baas, K. D., Koeter, M. W. J., van Weert, H. C., Lucassen, P., Bockting, C. L., Wittkampf, K. A., & Schene, A. H. (2010). Brief cognitive behavioral therapy compared to general practitioners care for depression in primary care: A randomized trial. Trials, 11, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-11-96

THE SELFIE INTERVENTION

Transdiagnostic Ecological Momentary Intervention for Improving Self-Esteem in Youth Exposed to Childhood Adversity

Blended ecological momentary intervention aimed at improving the self-esteem of children and adolescents with low self-esteem and previous exposure to childhood adversity. Randomized controlled trial showed the intervention to be effective at improving participant’s self-esteem at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up.

  • Reininghaus, U., Daemen, M., Postma, M.R., Schick, A., … Bockting, C. L., van Amelsvoort, T. (2023). Transdiagnostic ecological momentary intervention for improving self-esteem in youth exposed to childhood adversity: The SELFIE randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 81(3), 227-239. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.4590

    Daemen, M., Postma, M. R., Lindauer, R., Hoes, I., Nieman, D., Breedvelt, J., van der Gaag, M., Viechtbauer, W., Schruers, K., van den Berg, D., Bockting, C. L., van Amelsvoort, T., & Reininghaus, U. (2021). Efficacy of a transdiagnostic ecological momentary intervention for improving self-esteem (SELFIE) in youth exposed to childhood adversity: Study protocol for a multi-centre randomized controlled trial. Trials 22, 641 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05585-y

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) INTERVENTIONS

In collaboration with the WHO, Claudi has co-developed interventions for common mental health conditions. Such interventions focus on increasing accessibility to evindence-based transdiagnostic interventions to areas and populations where access is limited.

Chatbot STARS

Digital intervention aimed at helping adolescents experiencing high-levels of stress.

ProblemManagement +

Individual psychological help for adults impaired by distress in communities exposed to adversity.

ONGOING STUDIES

YOUTHREACH: Strengthening Youth Mental Health in Europe

YouthReach is a consortium of researchers focused at developing a youth-centred framework for studying common mental health disorders in order to develop interventions that appeal to young people. Currently the consortium is conducting comparative research of 3 cutting-edge youth-centred interventions in diverse European countries.

STAYFINE-App: Relapse prevention in Adolescents

More than one in five adolescents has to deal with anxiety or a depressive disorder before the age of 21. Even after recovery, the prevalence of relapse is especially high in this age group. To investigate whether it is possible to prevent relapse through ongoing monitoring and momentary app-based interventions, we are conducting a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of personalized combination of app-based interventions with guidance of loved experience experts. This project is conducted with funding from ZonMw.

  • Kooiman, B. E., Robberegt, S. J., Albers, C. J., Bockting, C. L., Stikkelbroek, Y. A., & Nauta, M. H. (2023). Congruency of multimodal data-driven personalization with shared decision-making for StayFine: individualized app-based relapse prevention for anxiety and depression in young people. Frontiers in psychiatry, 14, 1229713. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1229713

    Robberegt, S. J., Kooiman, B. E. A. M., Albers, C. J., Nauta, M. H., Bockting, C. L., & Stikkelbroek, Y. (2023). Personalised app-based relapse prevention of depressive and anxiety disorders in remitted adolescents and young adults: a protocol of the StayFine RCT. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058560. https://doi.org10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058560

MINDCOG: Understanding mechanisms of depression prevention

MINDCOG is a randomized cross-over trial to investigate mechanisms of mindfulness and positive fantasizing (ingredient of PCT) as intervention techniques for reducing perseverative cognition (PC) in remitted depressed individuals. The current study aims to 1) test whether momentary psychological and psychophysiological indices of PC are differentially affected by positive fantasizing versus mindfulness-based interventions, 2) test whether the mechanisms of change by which fantasizing and mindfulness affect PC differ between remitted Major Depressive Disorder versus never-depressed individuals, and 3) explore potential moderators of the main effects of the two interventions (i.e., what works for whom).

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

HERSTEL: Innovative depression treatment for lasting recovery

PROFIT: Treatment of Negative Future-Oriented Mental Images in People With Depression

This study investigates imagery-rescripting techniques for the treatment of adults with depression in which symptoms are exarcebated by future-oriented negative images. This study is being carried out with the help of help of ZonMw, the Depression Association, MIND and a number of mental health institutions.

REPAIR: Rebuilding relationships between parents and young adults

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).

  • Bockting, C. L., Bosmans, G., Bergers, N., Gavan, L., Hiligsmann, M., de Beurs, D., Molenberghs, G., Wijnen, B., Lokkerbol, J., & van der Spek, N. (2024) The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of attachment-based family therapy for young adults with high suicidal ideation: Protocol of a randomized controlled trial. Trials 25, 686. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-08499-7

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).

  • Kramer Freher, N., van Bennekom, Bexkens, A., Veling, W., & Bockting, C. L. (2025). Virtual Reality in the treatment of depression; what therapeutic strategies does VR target? Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 20, 100912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2025.100912

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

We will collect empirical data on social connection in participants from 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 to design a social connection intervention where we match people on a personal level, based on the computational analysis.

This project started is funded by the Urban Mental Health Centre. Collaborators are FNWI faculty of the UvA and Arkin Voordeur (SHIFT LEFT Innovation Lab Mental Health)

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.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

INTERVENTIONS WITHOUT PROVEN EFFECT

In mental health research, knowing what doesn’t work is just as important as knowing what does. Sharing interventions that did not produce measurable effects helps prevent duplication of effort, guides future research, and supports transparency in the field. By openly documenting these findings, we contribute to a more accurate understanding of mental health strategies and encourage the development of more effective, evidence-based interventions.

PROMISES: Transdianostic psychotherapy for pregnant women

Burger, H., Verbeek, T., Aris-Meijer, J. L., Beijers, C., Mol, B. W., Hollon, S. D., OrmeL, J., van Pampus, M., & Bockting, C. L. (2020). Effects of psychological treatment of mental health problems in pregnant women to protect their offspring: Randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 216(4), 182-188. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2019.260

Meijer, J. L., Bockting, C. L., Beijers, C., Verbeek, T., Stant, A. D., Ormel, J., Stolk, R. P., de Jonge, P., van Pampus, M. G., & Burger, H. (2011). Pregnancy Outcomes after a Maternity Intervention for Stressful EmotionS (PROMISES): Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 12, 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-12-157

Screening for depression in high-risk groups

Baas, K. D., Wittkampf, K. A., van Weert, H. C., Lucassen, P., Huyser, J., van den Hoogen, H., van de Lisdonk, E., Bindels, P. E., Bockting, C. L., Ruhé, H. G., & Schene, A. H. (2009). Screening for depression in high-risk groups: Prospective cohort study in general practice. British Journal of Psychiatry, 194, 339-403. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.046052

Depressievrij

Klein, N. S., Kok, G. D., Burger, H., van Valen, E., Riper, H., Cuijpers, P., Dekker, J., Smit, F., van der Heiden, C., & Bockting, C. L. (2018). No sustainable effects of an internet-based relapse prevention program over 24 months in recurrent depression: Primary outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 87(1), 55-57. https://doi.org/10.1159/000485039