Editorial

Abstract

Mental disorders both in adults as well as in children and adolescents are highly prevalent (e.g., Merikangas et al., 2010; The WHO World Mental Health Survey Consortium, 2004). Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended as first-line treatment in an array of emotional and behaviour disorders, due to its vast empirical support (e.g., National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2020; Tollin, 2010; Walter et al., 2020). More recent third-wave approaches, namely Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), are also showing their effectiveness across disorders and age ranges (Fang & Ding, 2020; Gloster et al., 2020). Nevertheless, like every other scientific discipline, CBT is in constant evolution, awaiting new and innovative developments. Humans are so complex, and suffering in its multiple shapes is so prevalent that there is always room to develop new theories, to refine already existent theories, to improve practices and to increase dissemination. In this special issue of the journal Psychologica, several researchers and clinicians made valuable contributions, aiming at different populations (children, adolescents and adults), different phases of the life course (preschool, secondary school, expecting a first child), different approaches of CBT (second or third wave therapies), and different levels of action (developing assessment instruments, refining conceptualizations, building programs, developing new delivery formats, and disseminating knowledge). Let us give you a short-guided tour through the headlines of this special issue.