Beck Institute Blog

A study published in Behaviour Therapy and Research compared the efficacy of group-based cognitive behavior therapy (GCBT) delivered to young, anxious children and their parents versus GCBT delivered to parents only. Results showed no significant difference between the two conditions. These findings suggest that GCBT delivered exclusively to parents of young, anxious children may be a feasible treatment alternative for improving accessibility to efficacious treatments for children with anxiety disorders.

Waters, A.M., Ford, L.A., Wharton, T.A., Cobham, V.E. (2009) Cognitive-behavioural therapy for young children with anxiety disorders: Comparison of a Child + Parent condition versus a Parent Only condition. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47(8), 654-662.

To learn more about CBT for children and adolescents attend one of our upcoming workshops: www.beckinstitute.org/cbt-workshops/cbt-for-children-and-adolescents.

A participant from Singapore explains a common core belief based in all-or-nothing thinking. Dr. Beck recalls a patient vignette which helps describe a similar pattern of thinking (to the described students in Singapore) and the procedure Dr. Beck followed for treatment. For more information about CBT training or to register for a workshop directed by Drs. Judith and Aaron Beck visit our CBT Workshops page.

The Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy is pleased to announce its 3rd Annual Student and Faculty Scholarship Competition.

The Beck Institute will award 10 recipients (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, and faculty in psychology, psychiatry, social work, nursing, and counseling) with full tuition scholarships to our 3-day Student and Faculty Workshop, in Philadelphia, PA, on August 13 – 15, 2012.

This experiential workshop will provide expert training in evidence-based treatment under the direction of Drs. Judith Beck and Aaron Beck, and leaders in the field of cognitive behavior therapy. A special conversation hour with Dr. Aaron Beck is planned.

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message and telling your friends, colleagues, students, and professors about this opportunity.

Visit the registration page for details about eligibility and directions on how to apply to the scholarship competition.

A study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that brief, internet based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), with limited therapist feedback (delivered via email), can help reduce symptom severity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Researchers found that CBT can reduce individuals’ catastrophic thinking about the implications of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms present in IBS cases. Reducing catastrophic thinking via CBT may lead to a decrease in symptom severity and positive treatment outcomes.

Hunt, M.G., Moshier, S., & Milonova, M. (2009). Brief cognitive-behavioral internet therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 47(9), 797-802.

Findings of a recent a study published in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy suggests that internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), with therapist support, can reduce symptoms and problems associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), either in conjunction with and sometimes as an alternative to other evidence-based treatment. Internet-based CBT would increase the accessibility and affordability of CBT for individuals with GAD.

Paxling, B., Almlov, J., Dahlin, M., Carlbring, P., Breitholtz, E., Eriksson, T., & Andersson, G. (2011). Guided Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 40(3), 159-173.

Dr. Aaron Beck coaches a school counselor through cognitive conceptualization of a specific case – a student with learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia) and high anxiety. Dr. Beck helps her to identify her client’s stimulus situation, beliefs, emotions, and maladaptive behaviors. Then moves on to discuss the best course of treatment. For more information about CBT training or to register for a workshop directed by Drs. Judith and Aaron Beck visit our CBT Workshops page.

A recent pilot study found that internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) may facilitate a working alliance that is comparable in quality to the alliance formed in face-to-face therapy settings. The working, or therapeutic, alliance is a key tenet of CBT, and research suggests that it is crucial to positive therapeutic outcomes. The current study compares the working alliance between client and therapist in an internet-based intervention and in face-to-face treatment for depression.

Participants were randomized into two groups; one group (n= 25) received the internet-based treatment and the second group (n=28) received face-to-face treatment. Both groups received 8 weeks of manualized CBT treatment for depression, which was based on a standard, evidence-based CBT manual for depression. Treatment was delivered by therapists trained in CBT specifically for this study, and involved an introduction to CBT, behavioral analysis, activity scheduling, cognitive restructuring, promotion of social competence, psychoeducation, relapse prevention, and a life review module. Patients in the face-to-face condition attended weekly one-hour sessions and were given weekly homework assignments. In the online condition, the treatment manual was adapted for use as a highly structured internet based treatment manual, and included writing and homework assignments based on the CBT approach. Writing assignments lasted 45-minutes and were scheduled regularly, two times per week. Therapists then provided written feedback within one working day. Working alliance was assessed with the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) at mid-point and post-treatment.

Ratings of the working alliance between the internet condition and face-to-face condition did not differ significantly. At post-treatment, there were positive correlations between clients’ ratings of the working alliance and treatment outcome for the online group, and at both mid and post treatment for the face-to-face group. The results of this preliminary research suggest that internet-based CBT may promote a working alliance comparable to that which is found in face-to-face treatment and produce positive treatment outcomes.

Preschl, B., Maercker, A., Wagner, B. (2011). The working alliance in a randomized controlled trial comparing online with face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression. BMC Psychiatry, 11(189), doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-11-189

As a way of simplifying the cognitive model to facilitate a more rapid formulation of a case, Dr. Aaron Beck has proposed a generic cognitive model model. Dr. Beck has applied this model to a host of difficult presentations ranging from bipolar depression to hallucinations to everyday problems like procrastination.

Dr. Beck explains that it is possible to simplify the complete cognitive model by consolidating the various processes into a cognitive-behavioral triad. This procedure can provide a quick snap shot of a selected condition sparing the necessity for spelling out each of the variables.

A recent study published in Behaviour Research and Therapy found that a Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) based self-help treatment program for binge eating disorder (BED) could be successfully implemented online. BED is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating with a sense of loss of control, marked distress, and without the presence of compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging). Previous research indicates that CBT is an effective treatment for BED and associated symptoms and psychopathology. The current study sought to implement an internet-based CBT self-help program for this population.

Participants included 74 women, ages 18 to 60, who met full or sub-threshold diagnostic criteria for BED. Measures included the Eating Disorders in Obesity (EDO) questionnaire, the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ). Participants were first assessed at baseline using the EDO and then randomly assigned to two groups: (1) an internet group, which consisted of a 6-month internet guided self-help treatment intervention followed by a six-month follow-up period, and (2) a control group, which consisted of a 6-month waitlist. The treatment program included daily self-monitoring, identifying binge triggers and automatic thoughts, cognitive restructuring, and relapse prevention. Additionally, two psychologists worked as coaches and provided weekly guidance to participants. Participants were reassessed following treatment, and again at a 6-month follow-up period.

The Internet self-help treatment program had positive effects on the symptoms associated with eating disorders. Outcome variables such as drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction and shape concern improved significantly. Participants also showed improvements in impulse regulation and self-esteem. These findings suggest that a CBT-based self-help treatment program for BED can be successfully implemented online and maintain treatment efficacy.

Carrard I., Crépin, C., Rouget, P., Lam, T., Golay, A., & Van der Linden, M. (2011). Randomised controlled trial of a guided self-help treatment on the Internet for binge eating disorder.  Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43, 482-491.