Background: The Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BCP) Journal is the main academic publication of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. It publishes empirical studies, reviews and theoretical papers, brief reports and single cases. Aim: To describe the main areas of interest and focus in BCP papers. Method: All the papers published in BCP from 2000 to July 2016 were analysed. A categorization procedure was followed with 813 contributions in six main areas: main author country; main author gender; kind of contribution; kind of therapeutic approaches; kind of samples; kind of focus/topic. Results: Although the journal's scope is international, first authors tend to come from English-speaking countries. Since 2009, females contribute more than males. Empirical studies surpass theoretical studies and reviews, while the main therapy denomination is cognitive behavioural therapy. Variability of samples is wide, and ranges from analogues to main disorders. Finally, the main focus of papers is to study change and psychopathology, therapists’ training and improvement of CBT. Conclusion: Given the total number of categorized papers, it can be tentatively assumed that they could exemplify some main areas of interest and evolvement in the cognitive and behavioural field.

Background: There is increasing evidence claiming the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) in promoting behavioural change. However, ongoing changes to MI theory and practice have implications for its transferability, accessibility and for the validity of previous findings. Lack of practice consistency may make its effectiveness difficult to evaluate. Aims: This paper explores the complexity of MI and issues in the development of evidence-based practice in delivery, before describing issues related to practitioner application. Method: Theoretical and practice developments over the last 30 years are reviewed under the headings theory, practice and efficacy. Specifically, developments across the three editions of the core MI texts are examined. Results: Findings from the literature suggest a lack of theoretical stability and practice integrity, with recent fundamental changes to the underpinning structure of MI. Issues relating to the transferability and acquisition of MI skills, consistency of delivery and mechanisms underlying change are discussed. Conclusions: The authors call for greater theoretical stability, more transparency over how developments are based on theoretical principles and empirical outcomes, and clearer guidance about how this informs practice development and delivery of MI.

Background: Although supervision is believed to be an important strategy for training practitioners in evidence-based practice, little is known about how it should be organized and conducted to promote implementation fidelity. Aims: To explore supervisor behaviours that might facilitate supervisees’ proficiency in motivational interviewing. Method: In this exploratory study, ten supervisors from a primary prevention intervention of childhood obesity responded to semi-structured interviews about their supervision behaviours. A mixed method approach was used; both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. Results: The supervisors reported using several sources of information for evaluating and providing systematic feedback on supervisees’ performance. However, the majority did not use the available objective measures of proficiency as the primary source. Moreover, half of the supervisors argued that objective feedback might have a punishing effect on the supervisees. Conclusions: Variation in the use of supervision components that previous research has proposed to be potentially influential to the process and outcome may lead to less efficient supervision. Findings suggest that appropriate supervision activities conducted in each supervision session require clear supervision principles that specify the content and procedure of the supervision, as well as regular adherence monitoring of the supervision sessions.

Background: Approximately one in three children and young people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) also have probable depression. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has a growing evidence base as an effective treatment approach for CFS/ME and for depression in this population. Aims: Given the high degree of co-morbidity, this discussion paper aims to compare and contrast CBT for CFS/ME and CBT for depression in children and young people. Method: The existing literature on CBT for depression and CBT for CFS/ME, in relation to children and young people was reviewed. Results: Whilst there are commonalities to both treatments, the cognitive behavioural model of CFS/ME maintenance includes different factors and has a different emphasis to the cognitive behavioural model of depression, resulting in different intervention targets and strategies in a different sequence. Conclusions: A collaborative, formulation-driven approach to intervention should inform the intervention targets and treatment strategies.

Background: Patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) report fear content relating to the perceived aversive consequences of their anxiety for others in their social environment. However, no studies to date have examined the diagnostic specificity of these fears to SAD as well as predictors to treatment response of these fears. Aims: To examine relative specificity of fears related to causing discomfort to others, as measured by Social Anxiety–Fear of Causing Discomfort to Others (SA-DOS), among patients with anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), in addition to relation between dysfunctional attitudes and treatment response among patients with SAD. Method: In study 1, a large (n=745) sample of DSM diagnosed OCD, MDD and anxiety disorder participants completed the SA-DOS. In study 2, patient participants with SAD (n=186) participated in cognitive behavioural group therapy (CBGT) and completed measures of social anxiety symptoms and dysfunctional attitudes. Results: In study 1, the SAD group demonstrated significantly elevated SA-DOS scores compared with participants with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), OCD and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (PD/A), but not the MDD group. In study 2, CBGT treatment was found to lead to significant reductions in SA-DOS scores. Need for approval (NFA) but not perfectionism, predicted treatment response to fears related to causing discomfort to others, with greater change in NFA relating to greater change in SA-DOS scores. Conclusions: These findings extend previous research linking allocentric fears to the phenomenology and treatment of SAD.

Background: The evidence base for behavioural activation (BA) is mainly grounded in the individual delivery method, with much less known about the impact of group delivery. Aims: To conduct a pilot study of behavioural activation in groups (BAG) for depression delivered in a routine service setting, in order to explore acceptability, effectiveness and predictors of outcome. Methods: The manualized group treatment format was delivered in a Primary Care mental health setting, at step three of an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. BAG was facilitated by cognitive behavioural psychotherapists, and outcome measures (depression, anxiety and functional impairment) were taken at each session. Seventy-three participants were referred and treated within nine groups. Results: BAG was an acceptable treatment generating a low drop-out rate (7%). Significant pre–post differences were found across all measures. There was a moderate to large depression effect size (d+ = 0.74), and 20% met the criteria for a reliable recovery in depression. Greater severity of initial depression and attendance of at least four BAG sessions predicted better outcomes. Conclusions: BAG appears to be an effective depression treatment option that shows some clinical promise. Further larger and more controlled studies are nevertheless required.

Background: Addison's disease (AD) is a rare chronic illness caused by adrenocortical insufficiency. Due to the pivotal role of the regulating hormone cortisol in AD, there is a common symptom overlap between the presentation of anxiety and adrenal crisis. Previous literature has identified the prevalence of anxiety in endocrinological disorders, however there is a paucity of research examining the complex interplay between AD and anxiety. Aims: This paper describes a single case study of a patient with severe health anxiety and co-morbid AD. The aims of the study were to establish if standard cognitive behavioural therapy for health anxiety in AD can lead to a reduction in psychological distress, and whether this approach is an effective intervention for the reduction of Emergency Department admissions. Method: A single case design was used, with pre- and post-measures of health anxiety, general anxiety and depression. Data on Emergency Department admissions prior to and following treatment were used to assess change in this domain. Results: Reliable and clinically significant reductions were seen across all measures, from severe to sub-clinical levels. There was a complete amelioration of Emergency Department admissions in the 12 months following completion of treatment. Conclusions: This preliminary study provides a sound rationale for further research into AD complicated by anxiety. Findings support the clinical utility of the cognitive behavioural therapy model for complex presentations of AD, offering a potential treatment option where anxiety is elevated and interfering with self-management and leading to high levels of health service use.

Background: Interventions focusing on positive experiences have moderate effects on distress, protective factors and quality of life. Aims: To evaluate the ‘Personal Model of Resilience’ (PMR) intervention by Padesky and Mooney (2012) with a focus on resilience strategies the person already possesses. Method: In a pre–post design, intervention and control samples of college students (n = 53) are compared with regard to distress, protective factors and quality of life. Results: Compared with the control group, the PMR group shows significant improvements in distress, protective factors and quality of life with medium to large effect sizes. Conclusions: The PMR is a promising intervention module. It requires further evaluation in clinical contexts, with larger samples, and long-term follow-up assessments.