Reported use of CBT techniques and their targets among Australian mental health practitioners: a mixed methods study.

Mental health practitioners of cognitive and behaviour therapies (CBTs) have an ethical obligation to select evidence-based techniques. Little data are available on which techniques are used and whether technique use varies as a function of a therapist's theoretical orientation. The study explored the use of CBT techniques among a diverse sample of Australian mental health practitioners (MHPs). The focus was to assess the extent to which different CBT techniques are used in their practice. A mixed methods study was conducted with a large MHP sample who were taking part in a post-qualification CBT training course. Of the 2,086 MHPs, 41% (n = 864) reported using behaviourally focused techniques, and 49% (n = 1,032) reported using cognitively focused techniques. Self-described theoretical orientation could differentiate technique use. A diverse range of CBT techniques were reported by MHPs in the present study. The different ways MHPs used techniques put a spotlight on how different targets may be a focus of the same technique. What is already known about this topic: CBT remains the dominant training model of psychological therapies in Australian universities. The past few decades have witnessed an evolution in CBTs, regarding the diversification of techniques. It is unclear whether therapists use a broad array of CBT techniques in their everyday clinical practice and if that use varies as a function of theoretical orientation. What this topic adds: Australian Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) indicated that they use a diverse array of behaviourally focused and cognitively focused techniques in their practice. Self-identified theoretical orientation meaningfully differentiated from reported CBT technique use in practice. A range of emotional, behavioural and cognitive targets were reported by MHPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]