title: The experiences of high intensity therapists delivering cognitive behavioural therapy to people with intellectual disabilities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People with intellectual disabilities (ID) should be able to access the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme, currently a main provider of mainstream mental health services in England. IAPT offer cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to individuals experiencing mental health problems, although its effectiveness for people with ID, when delivered within IAPT, is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten high-intensity therapists took part in semi-structured interviews, analysed using thematic analysis, regarding their experiences of delivering CBT to people with ID in IAPT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rigidity of the IAPT model appears to offer a poor fit with the needs of people with ID. Therapists appeared uncertain about how to modify CBT and highlighted training and service development needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest barriers to accessing IAPT largely remain unaddressed where people with ID are concerned. Services may need to reconsider what constitutes appropriate reasonable adjustments to ensure equitable access.
authors.affiliation: Charlie Waller Institute, School of Psychology, University of Reading, UK.
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marwood
authors.affiliation: Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery and the Centre for Language, Discourse and Communication, Kings College London, UK.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chinn
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of East London, UK.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gannon
authors.affiliation: Clinical Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scior
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D004739:England; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D011613:Psychotherapy
keywords: 
  CBT
  ; 
  IAPT
  ; high-intensity therapists; intellectual disabilities; mental health; therapist confidence