Engagement and Assessment within Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children and Young People Presenting with Anxiety: Principles and Practice

Abstract

The implementation of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme has allowed for the expansion of low intensity psychological interventions offered to individuals with depression and anxiety in England (Department of Health, 2008), with over 900,000 people accessing services per annum and increasing year-on-year recovery rates (Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2017).  The relationship between positive therapeutic outcomes and the therapeutic alliance between practitioner and client has well-documented within current literature (Horvath, De Re, Flückiger, & Symonds, 2011), with numerous studies highlighting the essentiality of the therapeutic relationship with regards to effective intervention.  However, comparatively few studies have identified the most influential factors which contribute to the therapeutic alliance, particularly within the specialism of low intensity psychological interventions for children and young people. This article discusses factors such as warmth, empathy, and collaboration as well as outlining and exploring concepts relating to the assessment procedures for children and young people awaiting low intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (LICBT).