The Art of CBT ?

A master class in CBT — discover the art within the science of evidence-based practice. Chris Basten is a highly experienced therapist who has worked in public health and the private sector for over 25 years. He regularly trains psychologists and other health professionals in CBT and motivational interviewing. Now you can benefit from his clinical wisdom, years of practice, and study of the therapy process, distilled into this unique practical handbook. The Art of CBT provides structured strategies and tips for any therapist who encounters common challenges, such as: • poor compliance with homework, • emotional avoidance, • the client struggling to identify which cognition to target, • difficulties maintaining boundaries, and • trouble dealing with the harder parts of CBT. Chapters include content on building and maintaining motivation, and how to keep therapy focused and on track. An examination of the therapeutic relationship offers a concise summary of a wide-ranging topic area that even experienced clinicians will find illuminating. A chapter on cognitive therapy includes creative ways to uncover automatic thoughts and some new ways to engage all levels of cognition into therapy more easily (metacognitions, hidden assumptions, hot cognitions, rules and core beliefs). Readers will also discover a checklist to ensure that your behavioural experiments are effective. Also included are practical ideas for building case conceptualisations or individual formulations, encompassing where to start your formulation sketch, how to use multiple formulations for the one client, establishing a rationale for treatment and incorporating comorbidity. The individualised nature of therapy is encouraged consistent with a transdiagnostic approach to complex psychopathology. The highly readable text is supplemented by practical examples of therapist statements and client case examples that unfold as you read. It is ideal for clinicians who wish to practice an evidence-based therapy but need to adapt CBT flexibly to negotiate the roadblocks that so commonly occur in the therapy process. While CBT textbooks and manuals have their limits, The Art of CBT is the essential clinical handbook for all CBT practitioners.