Staff Expectations and Views of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Stenfert Kroese, Biza and Jahoda, Andrew and Pert, Carol and Trower, Peter and Dagnan, Dave and Selkirk, Mhairi (2014) Staff Expectations and Views of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27 (2). pp. 145-153. ISSN 1360-2322

Abstract

BackgroundThe role of support workers and other professionals in the psychotherapeutic process has been commented upon but not as yet been systematically investigated. MethodTo explore their views and expectations of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for adults with intellectual disabilities, eleven paid support workers and professionals were recruited and interviewed before the CBT sessions commenced for their service users and nine took part in the second interview that took place after nine sessions. ResultsThematic Analysis of the interview transcripts indicates that staff members do not perceive CBT as a long-term solution for psychological problems have little knowledge of CBT and do not feel included in the process. Nevertheless, after nine sessions, most participants reported improved psychological well-being for their service users and expressed a wish for longer-term involvement of the therapist. ConclusionsThe results suggest that for CBT to be effective in the longer term, the therapist is required to consider a wider systemic approach including staff training and supervision, staff and management consultancy and creating a delicate balance between confidentiality and sharing the psychological formulation with significant others' to ensure maintenance and generalisation of improved psychological well-being.