Group CBT for mild to moderate depression and anxiety: an evaluation of patient satisfaction within a primary care mental health team

Abstract

Abstract In the UK there has been a drive towards facilitating swift access to psychological therapies. Groups are an efficient way to provide psychological interventions to a wide range of people and are recommended treatments for mild depression and anxiety, presentations commonly seen in primary care mental health teams. Group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be clinically effective, but less is known about the acceptability of groups to patients. This study evaluated patient satisfaction with CBT groups running within a primary care mental health team in Scotland. Data from a routinely administered patient satisfaction questionnaire were collected. Likert-scale responses were analysed via frequencies and percentages, and free text responses were analysed via thematic analysis. Among those who completed a group, overall satisfaction was high. The qualitative analysis revealed that for many a group environment was therapeutic in itself, and the intervention provided service users with a range of skills with which to tackle their difficulties. However, others indicated that a group environment was unsuitable for their needs, and perceptions around the accessibility and relevance of group content were mixed. Indeed, drop-out rates were high, and perceptions of groups among those who did not attend the final session are not included in this analysis. Group dynamics may be both a facilitator of and a barrier to therapeutic benefit, depending on individual factors. Future studies could evaluate satisfaction among service users who drop out of interventions in order to inform future service delivery. Key learning aims (1) To understand the utility of delivering CBT in a group format for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. (2) To understand service users’ perceptions regarding group CBT interventions via a mixed method inquiry. (3) To reflect on how group dynamics within group CBT may be both a facilitator of and a barrier to therapeutic benefit.