Introduction: This research aimed to examine the effect of cognitive–behavioral therapy in reducing depression and increasing marital satisfaction in two women referred to Ravan Asa counseling center of Ahvaz city.
Methods: Two women with postpartum depression disorder in companion with their husbands were selected using purposive-voluntary sampling method, clinical structures interview, and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Inventory and in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research plan was single case empirical plan multiple baseline. Two women with postpartum depression disorder participated in cognitive–behavioral therapy and in baseline, therapy and following a month stages, and completed Short form of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-13) and Marital Satisfaction Scale. Data analysis was conducted using visual depiction, Reliable Change Index (RCI), and recovery percent.
Results: The findings showed that the effect of partial recovery percent of cognitive-behavioral therapy for the first woman in decreasing depression was 24.17% and in the second woman was 20.92% and in increasing marital satisfaction in first woman 34.74% and in second woman 30.20%.
Conclusions: Thus, according to the findings, can say that the therapy is effective in reduce depression and increase marital satisfaction in women with postpartum depression disorder. Therefore, it is recommended that therapists and psychiatric nurses use this treatment to improve the relative and reduce the symptoms of depression in women with postpartum depression.