This bestselling, classic work offers a definitive presentation of the theory and practice of cognitive therapy for depression. Aaron T. Beck and his associates set forth their seminal argument that depression arises from a "cognitive triad" of errors and from the ideosyncratic way that one infers, recollects, and generalizes. From the initial interview to termination, many helpful case examples demonstrate how cognitive-behavioral interventions can loosen the grip of "depressogenic" thoughts and assumptions. Guidance is provided for working with individuals and groups to address the full range of problems that patients face, including suicidal ideation and possible relapse.

Four young children and their protective father try to endure and survive the mother's post-partum depression and anger until one fateful night. Everything changes when the mother is arrested for domestic violence after attacking the father in their home. Afterwards, the father says to their kids, "All I want for you is a happy mom," but he doesn't know that a happy mother will come at a cost - his fatherhood. This is the true story of how the mother turned the tables - getting their children to stop running from her to the father, and instead, running from the father to her, as she and her equally vengeful mother, through intricate lies - aka distortion campaigns - enlist everyone they can find, from friends, to counselors, to the community, to judges, to align with their cause.