In-Home Cognitive Behavior Therapy for a Depressed Mother in a Home Visitation Program

Abstract

Depression is frequently observed among young mothers who are low income who participate in home visitation programs that are focused on optimizing child development. Maternal depression can undermine such prevention programs, and mothers are faced with significant barriers to obtaining concurrent effective mental health treatment. This case study describes In-Home Cognitive Behavior Therapy (IH-CBT), an adapted treatment for depressed mothers in home visitation. IH-CBT provides an empirically based treatment in the home setting that is tightly integrated with ongoing home visitation. The treated mother presented with major depressive disorder in the postpartum period and poor attachment with her baby. After 15 sessions of IH-CBT, provided in conjunction with home visitation, significant improvement occurred in mood, self-sufficiency, and her relationship with her baby.