Cognitive restructuring (CR) aims to get people to challenge and modify their cognitive distortions, generating alternative, more adaptive thoughts. Behavioral, emotional, and physiological responses are modified by analyzing and changing dysfunctional thoughts. The person must have the cognitive capacity to participate in the analysis of their thoughts. CR for people with depression has positive effects, although there is little research on how it should be structured and applied. CR is a thought modification technique presented in the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), but is not organized in a sequential approach, and there is no procedure for applying it in practice. This scoping review aims to identify the structure, contents and assessment instruments used in CR for people with depressive symptoms and to analyze the health outcomes of applying the CR technique in this population. Out of 515 articles, seven studies were included in the review, up to 2021 and without any time limitation. The studies were not guided by a consistent and sound framework of the CR technique and each study used its own framework, although they used similar techniques. We grouped CR into six steps. No specific studies were found regarding intervention by nurses. CR is effective in reducing depressive symptoms, so it is an important therapeutic tool that should be used on people with depression. With this scoping review, mental health nurses will have a more comprehensive idea of the techniques that can be used in the application of CR to patients with depressive symptoms.

Background: Emotional distress is highly prevalent among adults living with cancer and may compromise psychological adaptation. Although psychosocial interventions are widely implemented, there is limited evidence regarding the structured development of nursing-led psychotherapeutic programmes grounded in nursing theory. Aims: To develop a structured, theory-informed, nursing-led psychotherapeutic programme aimed at promoting coping and psychological adaptation in adults living with cancer. Methods: This qualitative study reports the final stages of a multi-phase programme development process informed by a scoping review and grounded in Meleis’ Theory of Transitions and the Psychotherapeutic Intervention Model in Nursing. Conducted in Portugal, it comprised focus groups with adults with cancer ( n = 8) and expert nurses in mental health and/or oncology care ( n = 16). Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using directed qualitative content analysis. Results: Participants highlighted the importance of early psychosocial intervention at diagnosis and identified key emotional, informational and relational needs. These insights informed the development of a structured programme comprising 10 mixed-format sessions integrating psychoeducation, emotional regulation, communication and cognitive-behavioural strategies. Conclusion: This study reinforces psychotherapeutic nursing interventions in supporting adaptive coping and offers a preliminary model to inform future development and evaluation of nurse-led psychosocial care interventions in oncology.

Aim: To design the structure and content of a cognitive restructuring intervention for people with depressive symptoms. Background: Given the limited number of psychotherapeutic interventions currently available to mental health nurses, there is a pressing need to develop new evidence‐based approaches. Methods: A focus group methodology was used, informed by the findings of a previous scoping review. Data were collected from 11 experts during two focus group sessions and analyzed using content analysis. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was followed. Results: Guidelines have been defined for theoretical conceptualization, inclusion and exclusion criteria, therapeutic objectives, diagnostic assessment tools, clinical practice context, number and duration of sessions, type of the intervention, and session content. The contents were defined and grouped into seven sessions and a prior evaluation session: (1) welcome; (2) exploration; (3) identification; (4) understanding; (5) change; (6) consolidation; and (7) follow‐up session. Discussion: The design of the intervention will allow it to be applied in a structured and uniform way, enabling the evaluation of its efficacy and contributing to the advancement of research in the field of mental health nursing. Conclusion: The focus group made it possible to design a structured cognitive restructuring intervention that could be applied by mental health nurses. Implications for Nursing: The developed intervention provides a structured framework that may support future nurse‐led psychotherapeutic care and inform the evolution of mental health nursing practice and education, pending validation through feasibility and effectiveness studies. Implications for Health Policy: If validated in future studies, the intervention may inform guidelines and policies supporting nurse‐led psychotherapeutic care.