Cognitive-behavioral Conceptualization Research Articles

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Complicated Grief Reactions: Treatment Protocol and Preliminary Findings From a Naturalistic Setting

In bereavement, some individuals develop complicated grief reactions (CGR), including symptoms of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. Symptoms of PGD often co-occur with other complicated grief reactions, e.g., PTSD and depression, pointing to the need for a transdiagnostic understanding of CGR to inform treatment. In this paper, a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy for CGR called “CBTgrief” is explained, including its theoretical framework and treatment content. CBTgrief is based on previous cognitive-behavioral conceptualizations of PGD, PTSD, and depression and includes 12 sessions consisting of exposure, cognitive restructuring, and behavioral activation. Preliminary findings of CBTgrief are evaluated in terms of feasibility, acceptability, and treatment satisfaction in a sample of eight older bereaved individuals treated for different types of CGR in a naturalistic clinical setting. Additionally, theory-driven hypotheses about changes in CGR and theoretical proposed core maintaining processes are evaluated using Bayesian informative hypotheses testing. Preliminary findings, limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed.

A cognitive behavioral model for dissociation: Conceptualization, empirical evidence and clinical implications

There is a lack of evidence-based models and treatment for dissociation. This article aims to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive evidence-based model for dissociation using a cognitive behavioral conceptualization. We postulate that, following an initial experience of dissociation, associative conditioning will increase the frequency and intensity of dissociative symptoms. Various mechanisms could facilitate dissociation: negative beliefs about emotion, beliefs about dissociation, emotional dysregulation, low attentional control and poor mindfulness skills. Based on this model, a range of clinical interventions can be proposed to reduce dissociation, including cognitive restructuring through reality testing, decisional balance and Socratic questioning, emotion regulation and attentional training, and mindfulness-based programs. The impact of these interventions on dissociation needs to be appraised using experimental methodologies (randomized controlled trials and intervention studies with outcome measures).

The future potential of virtual reality countermeasures for maintaining behavioural health during long duration space exploration

Long duration space exploration is no longer a fantasy, with Elon Musk claiming to launch astronauts to Mars as early as 2029. The substantial increase in spaceflight duration required for a Mars mission has resulted in a stronger focus on behavioural health outcomes at NASA, with increased interest in using virtual reality countermeasures to both monitor and promote psychological wellbeing. From the perspective of a practitioner psychologist, this paper first considers the utility of virtual reality assessment of emerging behavioural health concerns for remote monitoring purposes. Key opportunities include using virtual reality for functional cognitive testing and leveraging the predictive abilities of multimodal data for personalised insights into symptomology. Suggestions are given as to how astronauts can self-monitor usage of virtual leisure activities that facilitate positive emotional experiences. Secondly, the potential to develop virtual reality countermeasures to deliver semi-structured therapeutic interventions such as collaborative cognitive-behavioural formulation in the absence of real-time communication is discussed. Finally, considerations for the responsible implementation of psychological monitoring tools are reviewed within a context of fostering psychological safety and reducing stigma.

Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Pediatric Rumination Disorder: A Single Case Experimental Design

This report presents the single case of Liam, a 10-year-old boy with rumination disorder (RD) and subclinical symptoms of anxiety. The primary aim was to explore the effectiveness of habit reversal therapy (HRT) in reducing regurgitation frequency in a young child. The secondary aim was to explore whether modular cognitive-behavioral techniques, based on idiosyncratic cognitive-behavioral formulations tailored to the child, may further augment the effect of habit reversal therapy on regurgitation frequency. An A-B-C design was utilized to compare regurgitation frequency and emotional distress across baseline, intervention (primary and secondary), and follow-up phases. Results demonstrated that HRT adapted for children was an effective approach to reducing regurgitation frequency. Self-monitoring alone and additional anxiety management skills provided further benefits to regurgitation frequency though to a lesser extent. Research on pediatric RD remains scarce, particularly regarding treatment for children of a younger age with additional psychological difficulties within clinical settings. Results from the current case study suggest that HRT adapted for children with RD and additional internalizing symptoms in a real-life clinical setting was feasible, acceptable, and effective. More research needs to be conducted on standardizing age-appropriate treatment adaptations for young children with RD and on exploring whether and which cognitive-behavioral techniques provide further meaningful reductions in regurgitation frequency.

Anxiety as a disorder of uncertainty: implications for understanding maladaptive anxiety, anxious avoidance, and exposure therapy.

In cognitive-behavioral conceptualizations of anxiety, exaggerated threat expectancies underlie maladaptive anxiety. This view has led to successful treatments, notably exposure therapy, but is not consistent with the empirical literature on learning and choice alterations in anxiety. Empirically, anxiety is better described as a disorder of uncertainty learning. How disruptions in uncertainty lead to impairing avoidance and are treated with exposure-based methods, however, is unclear. Here, we integrate concepts from neurocomputational learning models with clinical literature on exposure therapy to propose a new framework for understanding maladaptive uncertainty functioning in anxiety. Specifically, we propose that anxiety disorders are fundamentally disorders of uncertainty learning and that successful treatments, particularly exposure therapy, work by remediating maladaptive avoidance from dysfunctional explore/exploit decisions in uncertain, potentially aversive situations. This framework reconciles several inconsistencies in the literature and provides a path forward to better understand and treat anxiety.

Проведение когнитивно-поведенческой терапии с детьми и подростками с тревожными расстройствами

<p>This article provides an introduction and overview of the cognitive-behavioral treatment approach to anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. We first provide an introduction to the cognitive-behavioral conceptualization of anxiety, emphasizing the tripartite model of emotions: cognitions, physiological arousal, and avoidance behaviors. We then provide an overview of the basic principles of cognitive behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, including generalized, social, and separation anxiety, and specific phobia. We follow this introduction and overview with a discussion of the structure and goals of treatment, including the three phases of treatment (psychoeducation, application, and relapse prevention). In the context of discussing application, we focus primarily on implementation strategies relating to behavioral exposures and cognitive restructuring. We conclude with a summary of different formats wherein cognitive-behavioral treatment can be implemented, including child-only, peer-group, parent-involved, and telehealth.</p>

Cognitive and behavioural factors contributing to distress in LGBTQ+students: a prospective mediation study

We applied a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) model of psychological distress and examined cognitive and behavioural predictors and mediators of depression, anxiety and suicidality among lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and other sexual or gender minority (LGBTQ+) students. LGBTQ + university students (N = 385) completed questionnaires at baseline, 1 and 2 months. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the relationship between baseline negative beliefs (about the self, others and the future) and depression, anxiety and suicidality 2 months later, via cognitive and behavioural response mediators (perseverative thinking, avoidance and self-compassion) assessed at 1 month. The final model demonstrated acceptable fit: χ 2 (16) = 73.36, p < .001, comparative fit index (CFI)=0.96, Tucker–Lewis index (TLI)=0.93, root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.09 (90% CI [0.07–0.12]), standardized root-mean-square residual (SRMR) = 0.04, accounting for significant variance in depression/anxiety (48%) and suicidality (27%). For depression/anxiety, negative beliefs had a direct effect and an indirect effect via perseverative thinking and avoidance. For suicidality, negative beliefs had a direct effect. A cognitive behavioural conceptualization may improve our knowledge of the psychological mechanisms involved in depression, anxiety and suicidality in LGBTQ + students. Negative beliefs about the self, others or the future, perseverative thinking, and avoidance are promising targets for prevention and treatment.

A single case report of using Dummett’s systemic cognitive behavioural formulation to guide treatment of adolescent PTSD

Abstract Trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT) is recommended by NICE for adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Whilst caregiver involvement is recommended, no specific guidance on the nature of involvement is provided although it is important that involvement takes account of the nature of the trauma. This case report details how Dummett’s systemic CBT formulation was used to plan an intervention such that systemic sessions were included in TF-CBT treatment of an adolescent female with PTSD which arose following interpersonal trauma. Trauma symptoms, trauma cognitions and depressive symptoms were measured throughout, with trauma symptoms showing clinically significant change over the course of therapy. Clinical implications are considered regarding the applicability of systemic CBT formulation and the inclusion of systemic sessions within TF-CBT for adolescents whose traumas arose interpersonally. Key learning aims (1) To be able to incorporate systemic factors into a formulation of the maintenance of PTSD for adolescents using Dummett’s systemic cognitive behavioural formulation. (2) To identify systemic interventions that may facilitate change in interactions between adolescents and parental figures and change in trauma appraisals.

Evaluation of collaborative cognitive-behavioural case formulations in a clinical psychology program: a client perspective

ABSTRACT Objective Cognitive behavioural case formulations (CBCFs) have been widely used in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). However, sparse research has examined how clients experience the shared formulation process. The current study aimed explored the role of CBCFs in an outpatient student-staffed community clinic. Method A 30 adult participants aged 18 - 67 (M = 37.50, SD = 11.20), with a range of mental health concerns, completed a CBCF session as a part of routine therapy, with their treating provisional psychologist. Immediately following the session, participants completed a questionnaire that included five items, 5-point Likert scale questionnaire measuring clients’ experience of the collaborative CBCF, and two open questions captured further information. Results High scores across all questions on the Likert scale, and a total of nine themes was identified from the qualitative data. Six themes related to a broadly positive emotional response, two themes had a broadly negative emotional response, and one theme was a neutral emotional response. Conclusions The visual process of CBCF is a positive experience for clients that may help them to better understand their difficulties, elicit positive emotions, and feel understood by their treating therapist. Limitations of the current study and recommendations for future research are discussed.

A cognitive behavioural model of the bidirectional relationship between disordered eating and diabetes self care in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

This qualitative study aimed to develop the first cognitive behavioural therapy model outlining the development and maintenance of disordered eating in type 1 diabetes and report on recovery strategies and resilience factors to improve previous theoretical models of type 1 diabetes and disordered eating. Twenty-three women (n=9 with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating, n=5 with type 1 diabetes recovering from disordered eating, and n=9 with type 1 diabetes without disordered eating) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using grounded theory and individual cognitive-behavioural formulations were developed for each participant to inform the development/maintenance and resilience models. The development/maintenance model summarises commonly experienced vicious cycles of thoughts, feelings and behaviours in type 1 diabetes and disordered eating. The resilience model summarises strategies and knowledge acquired by those with type 1 diabetes in recovery from disordered eating and individuals with type 1 diabetes who did not develop disordered eating. Early adverse life events, past psychiatric history, perfectionist personality traits, difficult experiences around type 1 diabetes diagnosis and its relentless daily management sensitise individuals to eating, weight and shape cues. Alongside physical symptoms/complications, unhelpful interpersonal reactions and inadequate healthcare, vicious cycles of thoughts, feelings and behaviours develop. 'Good enough' psychological adaptation to type 1 diabetes, integrating type 1 diabetes into one's identity, self care and compassion around eating, weight and shape were key protective/post-traumatic resilience factors. This first cognitive behavioural therapy model of type 1 diabetes and disordered eating informed by personal experience will inform an intervention for type 1 diabetes and disordered eating.

TRATAMENTO DAS PERTURBAÇÕES DA ALIMENTAÇÃO E DA INGESTÃO NA ADOLESCÊNCIA – ABORDAGEM COGNITIVO-COMPORTAMENTAL

Feeding and Eating Disorders (FED) are amongst the most frequent and severe psychiatric disorders in adolescence. These disorders can be considered an important public health issue, since they mostly affect a young population with potential significant functional impact at a young age and throughout adult life. Cognitive behavioral approach has demonstrated evidence as one of the empirically validated reference treatments for all FED. This article aims to perform a narrative review of the cognitive behavioral conceptualization and treatment approach of FED. Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CCT-E) is the treatment of choice for adolescents with FED when Family Therapy is contraindicated, not accepted, or not effective. Furthermore, the importance of an early intervention is emphasized, since it has been demonstrated that CCT-E has more effective results and in a shorter period of time in adolescents compared with an adult population.

Understanding Matters of the Mind in Obesity

Obesity is a growing global concern, and Singapore is not spared from the global epidemic. Apart from the increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions, obese individuals are vulnerable to many psychological comorbidities. Obesity management through lifestyle changes can be limited by various barriers, increasing the challenge of implementation and leaving some clinicians feeling frustrated and stressed. The paper examines the barriers identified in the literature, discusses the use of cognitive behavioural concepts and techniques to facilitate the lifestyle change process and explores the use of motivation and readiness to change to guide the clinician’s strategies.

Health anxiety and attentional bias toward virus-related stimuli during the COVID-19 pandemic

After the COVID-19 worldwide spread, evidence suggested a vast diffusion of negative consequences on people's mental health. Together with depression and sleep difficulties, anxiety symptoms seem to be the most diffused clinical outcome. The current contribution aimed to examine attentional bias for virus-related stimuli in people varying in their degree of health anxiety (HA). Consistent with previous literature, it was hypothesized that higher HA would predict attentional bias, tested using a visual dot-probe task, to virus-related stimuli. Participants were 132 Italian individuals that participated in the study during the lockdown phase in Italy. Results indicated that the HA level predicts attentional bias toward virus-related objects. This relationship is double mediated by the belief of contagion and by the consequences of contagion as assessed through a recent questionnaire developed to measure the fear for COVID-19. These findings are discussed in the context of cognitive-behavioral conceptualizations of anxiety suggesting a risk for a loop effect. Future research directions are outlined.

Briquet syndrome revisited: implications for functional neurological disorder.

With the creation of the Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders category of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition in 2013, the functional neurological (symptom) disorder diagnostic criteria underwent transformative changes. These included an emphasis on ‘rule-in’ physical examination signs/semiological features guiding diagnosis and the removal of a required proximal psychological stressor to be linked to symptoms. In addition, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition somatization disorder, somatoform pain disorder and undifferentiated somatoform disorder conditions were eliminated and collapsed into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition somatic symptom disorder diagnosis. With somatic symptom disorder, emphasis was placed on a cognitive-behavioural (psychological) formulation as the basis for diagnosis in individuals reporting distressing bodily symptoms such as pain and/or fatigue; the need for bodily symptoms to be ‘medically unexplained’ was removed, and the overall utility of this diagnostic criteria remains debated. A consequence of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition restructuring is that the diagnosis of somatization disorder that encompassed individuals with functional neurological (sensorimotor) symptoms and prominent other bodily symptoms, including pain, was eliminated. This change negatively impacts clinical and research efforts because many patients with functional neurological disorder experience pain, supporting that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition would benefit from an integrated diagnosis at this intersection. We seek to revisit this with modifications, particularly since pain (and a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition somatization disorder comorbidity, more specifically) is associated with poor clinical prognosis in functional neurological disorder. As a first step, we systematically reviewed the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition somatization disorder literature to detail epidemiologic, healthcare utilization, demographic, diagnostic, medical and psychiatric comorbidity, psychosocial, neurobiological and treatment data. Thereafter, we propose a preliminary revision to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition allowing for the specifier functional neurological disorder ‘with prominent pain’. To meet this criterion, core functional neurological symptoms (e.g. limb weakness, gait difficulties, seizures, non-dermatomal sensory loss and/or blindness) would have ‘rule-in’ signs and pain (>6 months) impairing social and/or occupational functioning would also be present. Two optional secondary specifiers assist in characterizing individuals with cognitive-behavioural (psychological) features recognized to amplify or perpetuate pain and documenting if there is a pain-related comorbidity. The specifier of ‘with prominent pain’ is etiologically neutral, while secondary specifiers provide additional clarification. We advocate for a similar approach to contextualize fatigue and mixed somatic symptoms in functional neurological disorder. While this preliminary proposal requires prospective data and additional discussion, these revisions offer the potential benefit to readily identify important functional neurological disorder subgroups—resulting in diagnostic, treatment and pathophysiology implications.

Nichtpharmakologische Therapiemöglichkeiten der Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit‑/Hyperaktivitätsstörung im Erwachsenenalter: ein Update

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood is afrequent disorder with aprevalence of 2.5%, which can successfully be treated by pharmacotherapy in 50-70% of cases, depending on the response criteria. Therefore, besides medication nonpharmacological interventions are an important component of the treatment. The essential nonpharmacological interventions are presented and described with respect to the evidence for treatment. According to the S3 guidelines an extensive psychoeducation (PE) functions as the basis of the treatment. If there is still aneed for treatment after PE and the clarification of associated disorders, pharmacotherapy is applied. Further psychosocial interventions can then be used as accompaniment or supplement, e.g. when the effectiveness of medication treatment is insufficient. In particular, cognitive behavioral concepts and their variations (dialectic behavioral therapy, metacognitive training, reasoning and rehabilitation therapy) and coaching should be mentioned here, which show increasing evidence for treatment. Neurofeedback can be used if no other psychosocial treatment options are delayed or omitted due to the treatment. Mindfulness training and sport interventions seem to be meaningful as supplementation but similarly to the individualized cognitive training, further research studies are necessary to enable clear statements regarding treatment evidence in adulthood. Further controlled investigations regarding the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions on ADHD and associated symptoms and disorders are therefore desirable.

Not all intrusions are created equal: The role of context, feared-self perceptions and inferential confusion in the occurrence of abnormal intrusions

It is well-established that intrusions are universal phenomena that differ from obsessions in frequency, intensity, and distress, but otherwise are very similar in content. This understanding has guided research in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to focus on the misappraisals of intrusions, rather than the intrusions themselves. However, recent evidence suggests that other factors might distinguish intrusions from obsessions, namely the context in which they arise. Indeed, intrusions that occur without direct evidence are related to increased OCD symptoms, obsessive beliefs, and the tendency to confuse reality with the imagination, especially confusing a feared possible self with the person's actual self. However, experimental evidence supporting these findings is lacking, a gap the current study aimed to fill. Five hundred and fifty-seven undergraduate students completed a battery of questionnaires online, which included an experimental task made up of scenarios designed to gauge endorsement in specific intrusions that are either supported or not supported by direct evidence. Results showed that intrusions without direct evidence supporting them uniquely predicted OCD symptoms, whereas intrusions with evidence did not predict OCD symptoms; and that inferential confusion and feared self-perceptions predicted characteristics of the intrusions without direct evidence. Implications for cognitive-behavioural formulations of OCD are discussed.

Heeding the psychological concerns of young cancer survivors: a single-arm feasibility trial of CBT and a cognitive behavioral conceptualization of distress.

BackgroundA subgroup of adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of cancer during adolescence report high levels of psychological distress. To date, evidence-based psychological interventions tailored to the cancer-related concerns experienced by this population are lacking. The present study aimed to (1) examine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an individualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for AYA survivors of cancer during adolescence; and (2) identify and conceptualize cancer-related concerns as well as maintaining factors using cognitive-behavioral theory.MethodsA single-arm trial, whereby AYA survivors of cancer during adolescence (aged 17–25 years) were provided individualized face-to-face CBT at a maximum of 15 sessions. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Intervention uptake, retention, intervention delivery, and reliable change index scores were examined. An embedded qualitative study consisted of two unstructured interviews with each participant pre-intervention. Along with individual behavioral case formulations developed to guide the intervention, interview data was analyzed to identify and conceptualize cancer-related concerns and potential maintaining factors.ResultsTen out of 213 potential participants invited into the study were included, resulting in an overall participation rate of 4.7%. Nine participants completed the intervention, with respectively seven and eight participants completing the post-intervention and three month follow-up assessment. The majority of reported cancer-related concerns and maintaining factors were conceptualized into four themes: social avoidance, fear of emotions and bodily symptoms, imbalance in activity, and worry and rumination.ConclusionsGiven significant recruitment difficulties, further research is required to examine barriers to help-seeking in the AYA cancer survivor population. However, the conceptualization of cancer-related concerns and maintaining factors experienced by the population may represent an important first step in the development of psychological support tailored toward AYA cancer survivors’ unique needs.

Prior Beliefs About the Importance and Control of Thoughts are Predictive But Not Specific to Subsequent Intrusive Unwanted Thoughts and Neutralizing Behaviors

Dysfunctional beliefs are the central element in cognitive-behavioral conceptualizations of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The purpose of this study was to further elucidate the etiological role of preexisting dysfunctional beliefs in the occurrence of unwanted intrusive thoughts and neutralizing behaviors after a critical event by examining their predictive value and specificity in a prospective study with undergraduate students. The dysfunctional belief domains importance/control of thoughts (ICT), responsibility/threat (RT), and perfectionism/certainty (PC) were assessed at baseline 8 weeks prior to the critical event “exam situation” in N = 169 students. Exam-related unwanted intrusive thoughts and neutralizing behaviors, anxiety, and depression were assessed during the week immediately before the exam. Complete data for both baseline and follow-up were available for 79 participants (46%). After controlling for baseline obsessive–compulsive symptoms, anxiety, and depression, ICT but not RT or PC prospectively predicted exam-related intrusive thoughts and neutralizing behaviors, ICT also prospectively predicted depressive symptoms but not anxiety, and RT and PC both prospectively predicted anxiety but not depressive symptoms. Findings are partially consistent with cognitive models of OCD. They support the idea that ICT is a cognitive vulnerability factor for unwanted intrusive thoughts and neutralizing behaviors during a stressful event. Its predictive power was small and not specific to unwanted intrusive thoughts and neutralizing behaviors.

Internalized Racism: A Systematic Review of the Psychological Literature on Racism's Most Insidious Consequence

AbstractRacism is often thought of as existing and operating at the interpersonal and institutional levels. One aspect of racism that has been relatively forgotten, however, is its internalized component: racism that exists and operates at the internalized level. Surprisingly, even psychology—the field that is arguably best equipped to study the internalized component of racism—seems to have lagged in investigating and addressing this construct. Thus, we conducted a systematic literature review of psychological work on internalized racial oppression to better understand what is currently known, what the recent surge in scholarship has contributed, and where the research and service gaps are in order to identify areas for future growth. Overall, psychological attention on internalized racism seems to be increasing, and there have been some exciting conceptual (e.g., cognitive behavioral conceptualization, moving toward “appropriated racial oppression”) and empirical (e.g., development of scales, correlates with mental health variables) developments. However, our review also revealed a need for more work that: (1) utilizes qualitative or mixed methods; (2) focuses on the experiences of different racial and ethnic groups; (3) investigates how internalized racism intersects with other forms of internalized oppression; (4) clarifies the connection of internalized racism with other theoretically similar phenomena; and (5) incorporates social justice and advocacy in clinical and community services to balance unequal power dynamics that perpetuate racism—the root cause of internalized racism.

An open trial of individualized face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for psychological distress in parents of children after end of treatment for childhood cancer including a cognitive behavioral conceptualization.

ObjectiveA subgroup of parents of children who have been treated for childhood cancer report high levels of psychological distress. To date there is no empirically supported psychological treatment targeting cancer-related psychological distress in this population. The aim of the current study was to test the feasibility and preliminarily evaluate the effect of individualized face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for parents of children after the end of treatment for childhood cancer. A secondary aim was to present a cognitive behavioral conceptualization of cancer-related distress for these parents.MethodsAn open trial was conducted where 15 parents of children who had completed successful treatment for cancer three months to five years earlier and who reported psychological distress related to a child’s previous cancer disease were provided CBT at a maximum of 15 sessions. Participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up using self-reported psychological distress (including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety) and the diagnostic Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Feasibility outcomes relating to recruitment, data collection, and delivery of the treatment were also examined. Individual case formulations for each participant guided the intervention and these were aggregated and presented in a conceptualization detailing core symptoms and their suggested maintenance mechanisms.ResultsA total of 93% of the participants completed the treatment and all of them completed the follow-up assessment. From baseline to post-assessment, parents reported significant improvements in PTSS, depression, and anxiety with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 0.65–0.92). Results were maintained or improved at a three-month follow-up. At baseline, seven (47%) participants fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder and four (29%) fulfilled the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder, compared to none at a post-assessment and a follow-up assessment. The resulting cognitive behavioral conceptualization suggests traumatic stress and depression as the core features of distress, and avoidance and inactivity is suggested as the core maintenance mechanisms.ConclusionThe treatment was feasible and acceptable to the participants. Significant improvements in distress were observed during the study. Overall, results suggest that the psychological treatment for parents of children after end of treatment for childhood cancer used in the current study is promising and should be tested and evaluated in future studies.