Feasibility of dissemination of cognitive behavioral therapy to Texas community mental health centers.
State mental health systems are actively seeking to disseminate empirically supported treatment approaches to improve the outcomes of adults with serious mental illnesses. However, many of these interventions have not been studied within public mental health settings. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective for major depression in well-controlled trials, but its effectiveness in public mental health settings is less known. The present study examines the feasibility of dissemination of CBT in the Texas public mental health system. Seven clinicians were trained by a CBT expert and supervised for 5 months, during which time their skills approached competency levels of therapists in randomized controlled trials. Forty clients were treated during the therapists' training phase, attending an average of ten sessions and experiencing a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Study results are compared with previously published studies of CBT.
Lopez
Molly A
MA
Addiction Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin, School of Social Work, 1717 W. 6th Street, Suite 335, Austin, TX 78703, USA. mlopez@mail.utexas.edu
Basco
Monica Ramirez
MR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013781:Texas; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents