Sophie Pilot Implementation and Assessment

Evidence-based interventions using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and self-management education have been demonstrated to effectively treat symptoms of depression and improve the quality of life in populations with chronic illness. Research indicates that CBT is the most effective psychosocial treatment for depression; as effective as pharmacotherapy and as effective as adding another medication for patients who do not respond to one antidepressant alone. Despite the existence of proven efficacious treatments for depression, however, fewer than half of patients for whom depression treatment is indicated receive the services they need. Access barriers (i.e., transportation, insurance coverage), limited clinician availability (i.e., long waitlists, difficulty finding a provider), and competing (and time-consuming) medical priorities contribute to inadequate depression treatment for individuals with serious chronic illness. In this research the investigators will conduct a pilot randomized trial to compare results from implementation of two CBT strategies iHope and Sophie.