In-Congress Workshop 4 - Personalising CBT Interventions Using Modular Approaches

There are increasing calls for mental health treatments to be adapted for different groups to maximize their acceptability and benefit to patients. However, new adapted treatments may reduce service capacity at a time when there is unprecedented unmet need. An alternative method is personalization on an individual level. Modular treatments, in which therapists and/or clients can select the elements of protocols most suited to their presentation and needs, allow protocolised, standard interventions to be delivered flexibly, allowing for patient variation. They may support increased access to evidence-based therapy as therapists can develop, add and train in modules to address the needs of specific populations or presentations rather than training in entirely new interventions. Decisions regarding which modules or elements are used may be based on clinical judgement, patient choice, data from outcome measurement or a combination. A modular approach has been used successfully to treat mental health conditions (anxiety, depression and behavioural difficulties) within the context of physical healthcare service and specifically children and young people with epilepsy. The intervention was successful across the age range (3-18 years old), for children and youth with intellectual disabilities and for autistic children and youth.

This workshop is aimed at those familiar with delivering evidence based CBT protocols and who want to learn how to personalise these through using modular approaches, for example for working with particular client groups, such as those with chronic physical illness, or those presenting with more than one mental health difficulty. The workshop will provide examples from those with chronic illness, but the principles are broadly applicable to a range of client groups across the age range. There is some evidence that such personalisation may enhance adherence and engagement in therapy.

By the end of the class participants will be able to apply what they have learnt in the workshop to their everyday practice when working with clients who present with more than one mental health difficulty, with a particular focus on working on those with chronic physical illnesses.