Understanding Mental Health: conditions, caring, and contexts - Chris Williams

History of Psychiatry Podcast Series

In this podcast Professor Chris Williams, a researcher and teacher in the area of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) introduces CBT as a self-help form of therapy. It gives people the tools help themselves. Although correctly described as a form of psychotherapy, another way of conceptualising CBT is as a form of adult learning. That perspective can help make sense of recent advances in CBT where key CBT principles are communicated via CBT books, classes or websites. The key elements are a CBT structure that then builds on the therapeutic relationship and helps people both understand why they feel as they do, and also learn new skills to make changes. CBT provides a structure of how to make these changes in a planned and evidence-based way. However it also requires and effective and supportive therapeutic relationship to encourage people to keep on track as they plan changes in their lives. It is on this balance of structure and relationship that CBT aims to help achieve change.