The Oxford Handbook of Behavioural Experiments

Behavioural experiments are one of the central and most powerful methods of intervention in cognitive therapy. Yet until now, there has been no volume specifically dedicated to guiding physicians who wish to design and implement behavioural experiments across a wide range of clinical problems.The Oxford Guide to Behavioural Experiments in Cognitive Therapy fills this gap. It is written by clinicians for clinicians. It is a practical, easy to read handbook, which is relevant for practising clinicians at every level, from trainees to cognitive therapy supervisors.Following a foreword by David Clark, the first two chapters provide a theoretical and practical background for the understanding and development of behavioural experiments. Thereafter, the remaining chapters of the book focus on particular problem areas. These include problems which have been the traditional focus of cognitive therapy (e.g. depression, anxiety disorders), as well as those which have only more recently become a subject of study (bipolar disorder, psychotic symptoms), and some which are still in their relative infancy (physical health problems, brain injury). The book also includes several chapters on transdiagnostic problems, such as avoidance of affect, low self-esteem, interpersonal issues, and self-injurious behaviour. A final chapter by Christine Padesky provides some signposts for future development.Containing examples of over 200 behavioural experiments, this book will be of enormous practical value for all those involved in cognitive behavioural therapy, as well as stimulating exploration and creativity in both its readers and their patients.

David Clark: Foreword1: James Bennett-Levy, David Westbrook, Melanie Fennell, Myra Cooper, Khadj Rouf & Ann Hackmann: Behavioural experiments: historical and conceptual underpinnings2: Khadj Rouf, Melanie Fennell, David Westbrook, Myra Cooper & James Bennett-Levy: Devising effective behavioural experiments3: Ann Hackmann: Panic disorder and agoraphobia4: Amy Silver, Diana Sanders, Norma Morrison & Carolyn Cowie,: Health anxiety5: Norma Morrison & David Westbrook: Obsessive-compulsive disorder6: Gillian Butler & Khadj Rouf: Generalised anxiety disorder7: Gillian Butler & Ann Hackmann: Social anxiety8: Joan Kirk & Khadj Rouf: Specific phobias9: Martina Mueller, Ann Hackmann & Alison Croft: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder10: Melanie Fennell, James Bennett-Levy & David Westbrook: Depression11: June Dent, Helen Close & Joanne Ryder: Bipolar affective disorders12: Helen Close & Stefan Schuller: Psychotic symptoms13: Myra Cooper, Linette Whitehead & Nicky Boughton: Eating disorders14: Melissa Ree & Allison Harvey: Insomnia15: Amy Silver, Christina Surawy & Diana Sanders: Physical illness and disability16: Joanna McGrath & Nigel King: Acquired brain injury17: Gillian Butler & Christina Surawy: Avoidance of affect18: Helen Kennerley: Self-injurious behaviour19: Paul Flecknoe & Diana Sanders: Interpersonal difficulties20: Melanie Fennell & Helen Jenkins: Low self-esteem21: Christine Padesky: Behavioural experiments: at the crossroads