ABSTRACT: Conducted a randomized controlled trial of brief cognitive therapy (BCT) plus "treatment as usual" with drug therapy or counseling vs treatment as usual in the management of 48 patients (aged 18-65 yrs) with major depressive disorder presenting in primary care. At the end of the acute phase, significantly more Ss in the intervention group than in the control group met recovery criteria. Reductions in Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores favored the BCT group through 12 mo of follow-up.