The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Rumination and Psychological Distress Among Individuals Attending Counseling Centers

Fatemeh Karimi; Mina Akhlaghi Navideh; Seyedeh Maryam Emadi Chashmi; Maedeh Mirzaei Malati; Hajar Gharehdaghi Gharehtape

Authors

Fatemeh Karimi Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Ki.C., Islamic Azad University, Kish, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3949-2228
Mina Akhlaghi Navideh Master of Personality Psychology, Ayandegan University, Tonekabon, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3657-8916
Seyedeh Maryam Emadi Chashmi Master of Educational Psychology, Bab.C., Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9405-0217
Maedeh Mirzaei Malati Department of Psychology, Ra.C., Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8853-2938
Hajar Gharehdaghi Gharehtape Master of Clinical Psychology, To.C., Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8317-507X

Keywords:

cognitive behavioral therapy, rumination, psychological distress

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing rumination and psychological distress among individuals attending counseling centers. This study employed a quasi-experimental method with a pretest–posttest design involving an experimental group and a control group. The statistical population consisted of individuals attending counseling centers in Tehran during 2025–2026. Using convenience sampling, 30 participants were selected and subsequently assigned randomly to the experimental group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15). Data were collected using the Rumination Questionnaire and the Psychological Distress Questionnaire. The experimental group then received eight 120-minute sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy. Following completion of the CBT sessions, posttests were administered to both the experimental and control groups. The findings indicated that the mean scores of rumination and psychological distress in the experimental group differed significantly at posttest compared with pretest. Therefore, cognitive behavioral therapy was effective in reducing rumination and psychological distress among individuals attending counseling centers.

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