Abstract
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a first-line psychotherapy in Western countries, yet there have been limited studies examined the required skills based on perception of CBT therapists in the context of Western countries, and there has been no such research in China. Currently, there is no exist of a selfassessment scale to evaluate the required competence perceived by CBT therapists in China. This study used both qualitative and quantitative method to develop a self-assessment tool by CBT therapist to provide their perception about required skills in the treatment of mental disorders in China. Qualitative research used semistructured behavioural event interviews to identify the essential competences perceived by CBT therapists in China. Based on the qualitative research results, quantitative research was further used to develop a self-rated instrument with 52 questions. Three-hundred therapists who were conducting CBT therapy for clients with mental disorders were invited to participate in the study, 278 of which answered the survey. Among 25 therapists in the qualitative research, three key themes relating to the success of treatment using CBT were extracted from the interview. These themes including generic psychotherapy competencies, common CBT theory, mastering basic CBT techniques are essential skills in the effective application of CBT treatment. Another two themes on challenges and difficulties in the application of CBT include formulating clients’ problems and plans and using CBT techniques properly. Among 52 questions, 44 questions were analysed, which identified four CBT competence related factors: 1. generic psychotherapy competencies; 2. mastering CBT theory and skills; 3. using CBT techniques properly; 4. formulating clients’ problems and plans. The reliability using Cronbach’s α and half-reliability coefficient analysis showed that the therapist competence self-assessment scale had a high level of reliability of 0.94. The content validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity were high, and the structure of the instrument was reasonable. The self-assessment scale may provide a reliable and valid tool to self-assess the required competence and skills perceived by CBT therapists in China, and provide useful information for CBT training curriculum and program in China.
Highlights
There is substantial evidence indicating that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective therapy in the treatment of depression, anxiety [1], personality disorder [2], and obsessive compulsive disorder [3]
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a first-line psychotherapy in Western countries, yet there have been limited studies examined the required skills based on perception of CBT therapists in the context of Western countries, and there has been no such research in China
As shown in Tab. 2, the cases provided by the CBT therapists mainly included neurosis disorders and mood and anxiety disorders
Summary
There is substantial evidence indicating that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective therapy in the treatment of depression, anxiety [1], personality disorder [2], and obsessive compulsive disorder [3]. In the area of mental disorders treatment, there is compelling evidence suggesting the benefits of CBT over other psychological therapies [4,5]. CBT is often the first choice intervention for the prevention of depression and anxiety, together with pharmacological intervention [6]. In the UK the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend CBT as a first-line treatment for a number of mental health disorders. CBT competence refers to the skill of a psychotherapist in delivering cognitive behavioural therapy and act as an “agent of psychological change” [7]. CBT competence consists of relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes and ability for integration, which can be applied broadly across different mental disorder throughout a CBT therapist’s career
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