Mentalising in the context of CBT for GAD (3)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mentalising in the context Cognitive Behavioural Therapy sessions for Generalized Anxiety Disorders.
IRAS ID
313409
Contact name
Monika Wilde
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
na, na
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 4 days
Research summary
The planned research aims to understand and explore the role of mentalization in relation to the outcomes and client engagement in the context of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
GAD is one of the most common anxiety disorders, accounting for the fifth highest anxiety disorder in the mental health care system. In the UK, National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends CBT as the treatment for GAD. Research indicates that out of 39% of patients who recover after CBT, over half relapse fully or partially within 2 years after ending treatment, imposing high costs on UK economy and mental health services.
Only recently, we have learnt from neuroscience that the process of mentalization (our ability to understand our own and others’ mental states, which underline our behaviour) appears to be impaired in those with GAD. Research further suggests that therapists who themselves are better at mentalizing, are more effective to promote mentalizing in their patients.
No studies to date have attempted to understand in detail how mentalization is being understood in the context of GAD and whether it can help provide insight into poor improvement rates and high relapse in clients.
The aim is to recruit six pairs of client and therapist dyads from Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) sites in the Southeast of England. IAPT is the main provider of CBT therapy for GAD in the UK and therefore the most appropriate to recruit from, for this study.
The data collection will involve video recordings of therapy sessions of patients who meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM V) for GAD and are being treated by psychotherapists accredited by the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapists (BABCP). Additionally, both clients and therapists will be asked to complete weekly questionnaires. The recorded sessions will then be analysed using conversation analysis methodology and statistical analysis will be used to analyze questionnaires.
Each dyad will be part of the research for the duration of treatment, up to fifteen, sixty-minute sessions.REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/0283
Date of REC Opinion
19 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion