Exeter plays lead role in new therapy guide

Dr Farrand and Professor David Richards from Exeter from Psychology also have key roles in the new national programme for low intensity ‘talking therapies’.

In the past, sufferers of depression have often had to wait for expensive therapy whilst their condition gets progressively worse. This new book paves the way for a speedier solution. The guide includes a range of different forms of treatment delivery including guided self-help, groups, advice clinics, brief GP interventions, internet-based or book-based treatment and prevention programmes, with support provided by phone, email, internet, sms or face-to-face.

 “Up to now, where therapy has been an option, there has often been a lengthy waiting list to see a highly-trained specialist’’ says Dr Farrand, “the low intensity approach gives us new tools delivered in new ways which provide more accessible help to depression and anxiety sufferers. This book provides a snapshot of those latest techniques from around the world.”
 
Professor Richards added, “Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) represents a paradigm shift in how people can move from distress or despair to wellbeing and health. The techniques are designed to be accessible, effective and equitable. This international textbook provides the next generation of therapists and their patients with a series of ‘bite size’ chapters on the key clinical and delivery methods.”

“This isn’t evolution it’s a revolution”, concludes Dr Farrand, “these new treatments require new forms of service delivery, new ways of communicating, new forms of training and supervision, and the development of new workforces.

The Oxford Guide to Low Intensity CBT Interventions is a state-of-the-art handbook, providing low intensity practitioners, supervisors, managers, commissioners of services and politicians with a practical, easy-to-read guide. It is indispensable reading for those who wish to understand and anticipate future directions in health service provision and to broaden access to cost-effective evidence-based psychological therapies.

The current cost of mood disorders in the UK has been calculated at 1.5% of GDP with 3.5 million people taking anti-depressants. CBT is an evidence based treatment for anxiety and depression as recommend by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Research into psychological therapies, as well as assessment and training takes place at the Mood Disorders Centre (MDC), a partnership between the University of Exeter’s School of Psychology and the NHS. The MDC has had a considerable impact on the provision of treatments for patients, both directly through its own clinic, and indirectly through dissemination and influence on policy through networks and key individuals acting as advisors.

The Oxford Guide to Low Intensity CBT Interventions is edited by JAMES BENNETT-LEVY, University of Sydney and Southern Cross University, Australia, DAVID RICHARDS, University of Exeter, UK, PAUL FARRAND, University of Exeter, UK, HELEN CHRISTENSEN, The Australian National University, Australia, KATHY GRIFFITHS, The Australian National University, Australia, DAVID KAVANAGH, Queensland University of Technology, Australia, BRITT KLEIN, Swinburne University, Australia,MARK A. LAU, University of British Columbia, Canada, JUDY PROUDFOOT, University of New South Wales, Australia, LEE RITTERBAND, University of Virginia, USA, JIMWHITE, Team leader, STEPS, and CHRISWILLIAMS, University of Glasgow, UK
 
The Oxford Guide to Low Intensity CBT Interventions
Oxford University Press
Paperback
978-0-19-959011-7
£29.95
May 2010