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Author instructions

Aims and Scope

The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist is published for the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies and is the sister Journal to Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy

The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist is an interdisciplinary peer reviewed journal aimed at CBT practitioners. Published online, the journal will publish a range of types of papers (see below for a full description of each) that support CBT therapists in improving their delivery of CBT, supervision and training and/or develop our knowledge and understanding of CBT across all areas.

A particular feature of the journal is that its electronic nature is designed to ensure timeliness of publication and professional debate whilst also ensuring rigorous standards in the dissemination of high-quality materials with relevance to the practice of the cognitive and behaviour therapies.

Editorial Governance

The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist encompasses most areas of human behaviour and experience, and represents many different research methods, from quantitative to qualitative research, how to flexibly implement specific clinical interventions right through to detailed case studies. Under the guidance of its editorial board the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist aims to reflect and influence the continuing changes in the concepts, methodology, and techniques within the cognitive and behaviour therapies.

Editorial Statement – scope of journal content

The Editors welcome authoritative contributions from people involved, in the practice, research, education, training and supervision in the cognitive and behaviour therapies. Articles must be original and focused upon cognitive and/or behaviour therapy. There is no formal word limit but concision is recommended.

In terms of subject areas, our scope includes

  • the delivery of CBT
  • supervision of CBT
  • training in CBT
  • service model and forms of delivery of CBT.

Papers on these subject areas may fit within any of the types of papers detailed below.

Papers should be submitted online at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cbt

Manuscripts should be submitted with any identifiers removed for blind review. If authors fail to omit identifiers, anonymised review cannot be guaranteed.

The Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Team will make an initial decision on of whether submitted papers fall within the remit of the journal and/or are of sufficient interest and importance to warrant full review.

Types of Paper

Original Research*

Research evidence is at the heart of the practice of cognitive and behavioural psychotherapists. Original research will be published that directly relevant to the practice of CBT, such as the therapeutic relationship, therapeutic process and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies and techniques. It is expected that such reports meet both the necessary standards of scientific rigour and the journal’s requirement of clear implications for the practice of CBT. Consequently, the description of the research and the presentation of results should be sufficiently brief to enable sufficient discussion of the practice implications. Consideration will be given to quantitative, qualitative and mixed approaches given appropriate fit between the question, methodology and research methods chosen.

For examples see:

Hutton, J., Ellett, L., & Berry, K. (2017). Adult attachment and paranoia: An experimental investigation. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 10, E4. doi:10.1017/S1754470X17000058

Kobori, O., Salkovskis, P., Pagdin, R., Read, J., & Halldorsson, B. (2017). Carer's perception of and reaction to reassurance seeking in obsessive compulsive disorder. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 10, E7. doi:10.1017/S1754470X17000095

McManus, F., Leung, C., Muse, K., & Williams, J. (2014). Understanding ‘cyberchondria’: An interpretive phenomenological analysis of the purpose, methods and impact of seeking health information online for those with health anxiety. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 7, E21. doi:10.1017/S1754470X14000270

This category of paper type could also include single-case experimental design research or a case series.

For example see:

Thomson, C., Wilson, R., Collerton, D., Freeston, M., & Dudley, R. (2017). Cognitive behavioural therapy for visual hallucinations: An investigation using a single-case experimental design. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 10, E10. doi:10.1017/S1754470X17000174

Empirically Grounded Clinical Guidance Papers*

Some of the most widely-read and discussed papers in tCBT have been those that are the synthesis of clinical experience, using informed reasoning to link limited direct evidence in the field with evidence from wider fields.

tCBT is very keen to consider submission of such papers in relevant fields that are of interest to CBT therapists, supervisors and trainers. These tend to be written by experts in the field and are designed to solve specific practical problems or clarify gaps in our knowledge. Ideally they lead to practical implications and recommendations whilst generating hypotheses for future research.

For examples see:

Barton, S., Armstrong, P., Wicks, L., Freeman, E., & Meyer, T. (2017). Treating complex depression with cognitive behavioural therapy. the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 10, E17.

Duffy, M., & Wild, J. (2017). A cognitive approach to persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD). the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 10, E16.

Freeston, M., Tiplady, A., Mawn, L., Bottesi, G., & Thwaites, S. (2020). Towards a model of uncertainty distress in the context of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 13, E31. doi:10.1017/S1754470X2000029X

Freeston, M., Thwaites, R., & Bennett-Levy, J. (2019). ‘Courses for Horses’: Designing, adapting and implementing self-practice/self-reflection programmes. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 12, E28.

Menzies, R., & Menzies, R. (2020). Death anxiety in the time of COVID-19: Theoretical explanations and clinical implications. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 13, E19. doi:10.1017/S1754470X20000215

Murray, H., Merritt, C., & Grey, N. (2015). Returning to the scene of the trauma in PTSD treatment - why, how and when? the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 8, 1–12.

Murray, H., Pethania, Y., & Medin, E. (2021). Survivor guilt: A cognitive approach. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 14, E28. doi:10.1017/S1754470X21000246

Warnock-Parkes, E., Wild, J., Thew, G., Kerr, A., Grey, N., Stott, R., . . . Clark, D. (2020). Treating social anxiety disorder remotely with cognitive therapy. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 13, E30. doi:10.1017/S1754470X2000032X

Young, K., Chessell, Z., Chisholm, A., Brady, F., Akbar, S., Vann, M., . . . Dixon, L. (2021). A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach for working with strong feelings of guilt after traumatic events. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 14, E26. doi:10.1017/S1754470X21000192

Case Studies*

Dissemination of effective practice will be promoted through the publication of case studies that involve CBT with individuals, couples, groups and families. A suggested template is provided which is designed to ensure sufficient information is provided to allow other therapists to replicate successful therapy. All articles must include 3-5 learning objectives that will be achieved through reading the article. At the end of each paper a summary of the main practice points should be included with suggestions for follow-up reading. This stipulation is in keeping with the practitioner and professional development aims of the journal.

The case study should contribute to the development of theory or clinical practice, and feed into CBT practice as a whole rather than just relating to the specific case. Case studies should generally follow this structure:

  • Abstract
  • Key Learning Points
  • Introduction: including an outline of theoretical research and clinical literature relevant to the case
  • Presenting problem: including information on the presenting problem and associated goals of treatment, diagnosis, relevant history and development of problems, scores on standard and idiographic measures, relevant history
  • Formulation: including a relevant theory-based CBT model used as a framework.
  • Course of therapy: including methods used linked to theory and assessment of progress; difficulties encountered and any innovations in therapy
  • Outcome: including clinical change, progress towards goals, change to measures, plans for follow-up
  • Discussion: including relating to theory and evidence-base as well as reflections on own practice; implications for therapy and recommendations for other clinicians
  • Key Practice Points
  • Further Reading

For examples see:

Bernstein, R., Angell, K., & Dehle, C. (2013). A brief course of cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of misophonia: A case example. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 6, E10. doi:10.1017/S1754470X13000172

Jenkins, P. (2017). Can temporary cessation of CBT really be therapeutic? A case study. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 10, E8. doi:10.1017/S1754470X17000101

In addition to clinical case studies, there may be case studies related to training or supervision which would require a slightly amended structure to the one outline above.

Invited Papers*

At times tCBT will invite papers on specific issues where there is a gap in the clinical literature. This may involve commissioning papers directly from experts in a particular area or this may be a call to the wider CBT community.

Reviews*

Reviews of historical, contemporary, or innovative approaches to practice are also sought providing that they demonstrate relevance to the practice of the current cognitive and behavioural psychotherapies. Prospective authors for review papers should initially discuss their proposals with the Editor-in-Chief.

Reviews of Assessment Tools and Methods*

Reviews of clinical scales and other assessment methods will also be considered.

These reviews should provide the practitioner with a review of a scale’s or other tool’s purpose and properties, sufficient information to know how and when to use it, and how to interpret the results and make use of them. All articles must include a set of 3-5 learning objectives that will be achieved through reading the paper. At the end of each paper a summary of the main points from the paper must be included with suggestions for follow-up reading. This stipulation is in keeping with the practitioner and professional development aims of the journal.

For examples see:

Hyland, P., Shevlin, M., Adamson, G., & Boduszek, D. (2013). The factor structure and composite reliability of the Profile of Emotional Distress. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 6, E15. doi:10.1017/S1754470X13000214

Reiser, R., Cliffe, T., & Milne, D. (2018). An improved competence rating scale for CBT Supervision: Short-SAGE. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 11, E7. doi:10.1017/S1754470X18000065

Service Models, Forms of Delivery and Cultural Adaptations of CBT*

The service model is the clinical and operational framework that exists to support the therapist with the delivery of cognitive behavioural therapies. Description and evaluation of innovative clinical service models (both in the UK and internationally) and delivery formats that can be generalised to other services will be considered for publication. Audits will only be considered if they are of wider interest and value in informing the work of other services.

tCBT is keen to publish research that either expands the evidence base for previously under-represented groups or work that describes and evaluates cultural adaptations that are required for different populations.

For examples see:

Jankowska, M. (2019). Cultural modifications of cognitive behavioural treatment of social anxiety among culturally diverse clients: A systematic literature review. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 12, E7. doi:10.1017/S1754470X18000211

King, D., & Said, G. (2019). Working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people: Cultural considerations and acceptability of a cognitive behavioural group approach. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 12, E11. doi:10.1017/S1754470X18000260

Thew, G. (2020). IAPT and the internet: The current and future role of therapist-guided internet interventions within routine care settings. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 13, E4. doi:10.1017/S1754470X20000033

Thew, G., MacCallam, J., Salkovskis, P., & Suntharalingam, J. (2017). Developing and evaluating psychological provision in the acute hospital setting for patients with chronic respiratory disease. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 10, E5. doi:10.1017/S1754470X17000071

* These article types may be eligible for APC waivers or discounts under one of the agreements Cambridge University Press has made to support open access.