Evidence–Based CBT for Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents: A Competencies Based Approach

This is the first book to offer an explicitly competencies–based approach to the cognitive–behavioural treatment of anxiety and depression in children and young people. Within it, an outstanding and influential set of experts in the field describe a comprehensive model of therapist competencies required for empirically supported cognitive behavioral treatment. They explore each of these competencies in great detail, and highlight effective ways of training these competencies. As a result, the book not only supports the training, development and assessment of competent clinicians who are implementing CBT, it is also invaluable for clinicians who wish to gain an understanding of the competencies they need to acquire or improve, guidelines for how to achieve these, providing a benchmark against which they can assess themselves. Evidence–Based CBT for Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents works to improve the quality of therapists working in this area, and as a result, the quality of treatment that many young people receive.

Notes on Contributors x

1 An Introduction to the Competencies–Based Approach 1
Elizabeth S. Sburlati, Heidi J. Lyneham, and Carolyn A. Schniering

2 Effective Training Methods 10
Emily Jones and Katharina Manassis

Part I Generic Therapeutic Competencies 23

3 Self–Assessment of Our Competence as Therapists 25
Elizabeth S. Sburlati and James Bennett–Levy

4 Professional Evidence–Based Practice with Children and Adolescents 36
Rinad S. Beidas, Matthew Ditty, Margaret Mary Downey, and Julie Edmunds

5 Child and Adolescent Characteristics that Impact on Therapy 49
Caroline L. Donovan and Sonja March

6 Building a Positive Therapeutic Relationship with the Child or Adolescent and Parent 63
Ruth C. Brown, Kimberly M. Parker, Bryce D. McLeod, and Michael A. Southam–Gerow

7 Assessing Child and Adolescent Internalizing Disorders 79
Jennifer L. Hudson, Carol Newall, Sophie C. Schneider, and Talia Morris

Part II CBT Competencies 95

8 Theoretical Foundations of CBT for Anxious and Depressed Youth 97
Sarah J. Perini and Ronald M. Rapee

9 Case Formulation and Treatment Planning for Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents 114
Heidi J. Lyneham

10 Effectively Engaging and Collaborating with Children and Adolescents in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Sessions 128
Jeremy S. Peterman, Cara A. Settipani, and Philip C. Kendall

11 Facilitating Homework and Generalization of Skills to the Real World 141
Colleen M. Cummings, Nikolaos Kazantzis, and Philip C. Kendall

Part III Specific CBT Techniques 157

12 Managing Negative Thoughts, Part 1: Cognitive Restructuring and Behavioral Experiments 159
Sarah Clark, Gemma Bowers, and Shirley Reynolds

13 Managing Negative Thoughts, Part 2: Positive Imagery, Self–Talk, Thought Stopping, and Thought Acceptance 176
Maria Loades, Sarah Clark, and Shirley Reynolds

14 Changing Maladaptive Behaviors, Part 1: Exposure and Response Prevention 194
Brennan J. Young, Thomas H. Ollendick, and Stephen P. Whiteside

15 Changing Maladaptive Behaviors, Part 2: The Use of Behavioral Activation and Pleasant Events Scheduling with Depressed Children and Adolescents 208
Sandra L. Mendlowitz

16 Managing Maladaptive Mood and Arousal 225
Donna B. Pincus, Ryan J. Madigan, Caroline E. Kerns, Christina Hardway, and Jonathan S. Comer

17 Problem–Solving Skills Training 247
Ana M. Ugueto, Lauren C. Santucci, Lauren S. Krumholz, and John R. Weisz

18 Social Skills Training 260
Lauren S. Krumholz, Ana M. Ugueto, Lauren C. Santucci, and John R. Weisz

19 Modifying the Family Environment 275
Polly Waite, Monika Parkinson, Lucy Willetts, and Cathy Creswell

Index 301

Elizabeth S. Sburlati is a researcher in Clinical Psychology at the Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Australia. Elizabeth is also a practicing psychologist who sees clients with a wide range of presenting problems. She has led the research on Therapist Competencies for the Empirically Supported Treatment of Child and Adolescent Anxiety and Depressive Disorders which forms a basis for this book.

Heidi J. Lyneham is a research fellow at the Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Australia. She has published numerous papers and chapters, and is the co–author of Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step by Step Guide for Parents, 2nd edition (2008). Her research focuses on improving assessment and treatment methods for emotional problems experienced by children, adolescents and their families.

Carolyn A. Schniering is a senior lecturer, clinical supervisor, and child psychologist at the Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Australia, and also works in private practice dealing with a wide range of emotional problems in individuals, children, and families. She has published many papers and is the co–author of Treating Anxious Children and Adolescents: An Evidence–Based Approach (2011).

Ronald M. Rapee is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Macquarie University, Australia and Director of the Macquarie University Centre for Emotional Health. He is an internationally recognised expert on anxiety disorders and the development of these disorders through the lifespan. In 2012, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to clinical psychology in Australia.