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Helpful and Hindering Events in Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for Generalized Anxiety

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2018

John Burke Open the ORCID record for John Burke [Opens in a new window] ,
Derek Richards Open the ORCID record for Derek Richards [Opens in a new window]  and
Ladislav Timulak
John Burke
Affiliation:
E-Mental Health Research Group, School of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin and Research and Innovation, SilverCloud Health, Dublin, Ireland
Derek Richards*
Affiliation:
E-Mental Health Research Group, School of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin and Research and Innovation, SilverCloud Health, Dublin, Ireland
Ladislav Timulak
Affiliation:
E-Mental Health Research Group School of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin
*
Correspondence to Derek Richards, E-Mental Health Research Group, School of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background: Anxiety disorders are a highly prevalent cause of impairment globally with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) sharing many features with other anxiety disorders. Aims: The present study investigated the helpful and hindering events and impacts for individuals with generalized anxiety who engaged with a supported 6-week online intervention based on cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT). Method: Participants (n = 36) completed the Helpful and Hindering Aspects of Therapy (HAT) for each session. A descriptive-interpretative framework was used to analyse the data. Results: Helpful events were identified by participants as CBT techniques including psychoeducation, monitoring, cognitive restructuring and relaxation, and found supporter interaction, mindfulness and reading personal stories helpful. The associated impacts were identified as support and validation; behavioural change/applying coping strategies; clarification, awareness, and insight; reassurance/relief; and self-efficacy/empowerment. Hindering events were identified as treatment content/form; and amount of work/technical issues, which led to impacts such as frustration/irritation; increased anxiety; and isolation. Conclusion: The implications of the results, potential future directions of research and limitations of the study are discussed.

Keywords

significant events in therapyhelpful and hindering eventsinternet-delivered interventionsgeneralized anxietydescriptive-interpretative framework
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 47 , Issue 3 , May 2019 , pp. 386 - 399
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2018 

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