An Introduction to CBT Research

Dr. Sarah Rakovshik is the co-Director for the University of Oxford Postgraduate CBT Programme and the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre. She is an experienced therapist who has worked with a wide range of clinical disorders in both adults and children. Her clinical interests include treatment of comorbid and complex presentations, as well as in the potentially positive effects of adverse life events. She holds a DPhil from Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry. Her research has focused on training methods and their effects on therapists’ competence and patients’ outcomes. She has had an international role as a trainer, supervisor and consultant for CBT training programmes and research projects.

This is the book for you if you want an excellent and readable guide that will support you in making sense of research in the context of Psychotherapy in general and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies in particular. It also enables the reader to understand how to undertake the process of carrying out and disseminating their own research in psychological interventions. The skillful blend of central principles with illustrative examples provides clarity without oversimplification. The author has carefully crafted the narrative and presentation of material to ensure that it is practical and relevant whilst building to an accurate and sophisticated understanding of clinically applicable research.  This is achieved through a crystal clear explanation of the fundamental principles of the entire range of research and how these can be applied to improve CBT practice and therefore to benefit those seeking help.

• IntroductionPart I: Why does research matter in CBT?Chapter 1: What is research and why do we bother?Chapter 2: Why evidence matters: the research-practice gapPart II: What do I need to know to understand research?Chapter 3: Different approaches to evidenceChapter 4: Common forms of research in CBTChapter 5: The role of statisticsPart III: How can I use existing research?Chapter 6: Finding relevant researchChapter 7: Evaluating evidencePart IV: How do I conduct my own research?Chapter 8: Research question(s) and research design: Direction, route & destinationChapter 9: Getting the recipe right before you start: Ingredients & methodChapter 10: Ethical issues in researchChapter 11: The data collection phaseChapter 12: The data analysis phaseChapter 13: Disseminating your research