Oxford Guide to Behavioural Experiments in Cognitive Therapy / Edition 1

by James Bennett-Levy, Gillian Butler, Melanie Fennell, Ann Hackmann, Martina Mueller

Overview

Behavioral experiments are one of the central and most powerful methods of intervention in cognitive therapy. Yet until now, there has been no volume to guide clinicians wishing to design and implement behavioral experiments. Behavioural Experiments in Cognitive Therapy fills this gap. It is written by clinicans for clinicians. It is a practical, easy to read handbook, which is relevant for practicing clinicians at every level, from trainees to cognitive therapy supervisors.

Following an introduction by David Clark, the first two chapters provide a theoretical and practical background for the understanding and development of behavioral experiments. Therafter, the remaining chapters of the book focus on particular problem areas. These include problems which have been the traditional focus of cognitive therapy, such as depression and anxiety disorders, as well as those which have only once more recently become a subject of study, such as bipolar disorder and psychotic symptoms. Additionally, it includes some which are still int their relative infancy—physical health problems, and brain injury.

The book includes several chapters on transdiagnostic problems, such as avoidance of affect, low self-esteem, interpersonal issues, and self-injurious behavior. A final chapter by Christine Padesky provides some signposts for future development. Containing examples of over 200 behavioral experiments, this book will be of enormous practical value for all those involved in cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as stimulting exploration in both its readers and their patients.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198529163
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/08/2004
Series:	Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Science and Practice , #2
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	9.18(w) x 6.44(h) x 1.06(d)

About the Author

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Hospital

Warneford Hospital

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Behavioral experiments: historical and conceptual underpinnings, iJames Bennett-Levy, David Westbrook, Melanie Fennell, Myra Cooper, Khadj Rouf & Ann Hackmann/iChapter 2. Devising effective behavioral experiments, iKhadj Rouf, Melanie Fennell, David Westbrook, Myra Cooper & James Bennett-Levy/iChapter 3. Panic disorder and agoraphobia, iAnn Hackmann/iChapter 4. Health anxiety, iAmy Silver, Diana Sanders, Norma Morrison & Carolyn Cowie/iChapter 5. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, iNormaMorrison & David WestbrookChapter 6. Generalized anxiety disorder, Gillian Butler & Khadj RoufChapter 7. Social anxiety, iGillian Butler and Ann Hackmann/iChapter 8. Specific Phobias, iJoan Kirk & Khadj Rouf/iChapter 9. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, iMartina Mueller, Ann Hackmann & Alison Croft/iChapter 10. Depression, iMelanie Fennell, James Bennett-Levy & David Westbrook/iChapter 11. Bipolar affective disorders, iJune Dent, Helen Close & Joanne Ryder/iChapter 12. Psychotic symptoms, iHelen Close &Stefan SchullerChapter 13. Eating Disorders, iMyra Cooper, Linette Whitehead & Nicky Boughton/iChapter 14. Insomnia, iMelissa Rae & Allison Harvery/iChapter 15. Physical illness and disability, iAmy Silver, Christina Surawy & Diana Sanders/iChapter 16. Acquired brain surgery, iJoanna McGrath & Nigel King/iChapter 17. Avoidance of affect, iGillian Butler & Christina Surawy/iChapter 18. Self-injurious behavior, iHelen Kennerley/iChapter 19Chapter 20. Interpersonal difficultiesLow self-esteem, iPaul Flecknoe & Diana Sanders/iiMelanie Fennell &Chapter 21. Helen Jenkins, iChristine Padesky/i

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Steven T Herron, MD (CPI/Assurance Health and Wellness)
Description: Broken down into chapters with a focus limited to the topic at hand, this book offers clinicians an outline of various behavioral experiments that can be utilized in a cognitive structure to improve patient outcomes for various psychiatric symptoms.
Purpose: Written "by clinicians for clinicians," it provides a "source of ideas which will stimulate the creativity of clinicians" attempting to design experiments for cognitive therapy patients.
Audience: Meant for "practicing clinicians at every level from trainee to cognitive therapy supervisor," this book will benefit those with an understanding of this therapy type, as the editors assume readers have a working knowledge of the concepts of cognitive therapy.
Features: Divided into chapters addressing particular psychiatric difficulties, the authors highlight types of cognitive distortions most common to certain illnesses and provide case-based examples of experimental techniques used to assist patients in confronting these patterns. The chapters discussing an approach to symptoms such as insomnia, self-injurious behavior, and low self-esteem are particularly useful, as these concepts are often minimized when addressed as a part of larger problem.
Assessment: Often clinicians have an appreciation for the concepts of a given therapy, especially when it relates to a type of illness they are more comfortable treating, but struggle when issues arise that separate them from their familiarity. This book provides an excellent resource for keeping clinicians "on their toes" regarding cognitive techniques. Many books about cognitive therapy spend more effort explaining the reasoning behind its use, or identifying the specific thought patterns involved in certain types of illnesses. Yet they are less forthcoming with practical applications to "real world" problems faced by therapists on a daily basis. This book bridges the gap nicely, offering clinicians ideas for a starting point that will, ideally, serve as a springboard to new and inventive approaches to treatment.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody

"The authors of this handbook provide excellent models for how to design behavioural experiments to test pivotal beliefs, rather than tangential beliefs. Each chapter offers meaningful help to therapists by identifying common cognitive themes and beliefs that are central to the problem discussed. The vivid samples offered should encourage therapists to use behavioural experiments more often, with greater precision, and with more thorough examination of client observations and learning."-Christine Padesky, author of Mind Over Mood

"There is currently no text that specifically focuses on behavioural experiments. This volume admirably fills the gap."-David Clark, Institute of Psychiatry

From the Publisher