Episodes

  • Why simplicity does not mean superficiality: exploring Low-intensity Behavioural Activation for Depression with Prof David Ekers.

    Why simplicity does not mean superficiality: exploring Low-intensity Behavioural Activation for Depression with Prof David Ekers.
    Jan 28 2026
    How do we make effective therapy for depression more widely available without losing quality or compassion? In this episode, Rachel Handley is joined by Professor David Ekers, a leading researcher and clinician specialising in behavioural activation (BA). David shares the story of how his clinical experience with long waiting lists led him to focus on scalable, evidence-based approaches to care. The conversation explores the development of behavioural activation, the evidence underpinning low intensity delivery, and key findings from major trials including the COBRA and BASIL studies. David explains why behavioural activation is a robust, practical intervention that can be delivered effectively by a range of practitioners, without losing therapeutic depth or compassion. David reflects on common myths about low intensity work, the importance of supervision and therapeutic relationships, and the challenges services face when balancing access, outcomes, and relapse prevention. Further resources: David's University of York webpage can be found here which details all his publications and research projects Papers and links to further information about the trials mentioned in this episode are listed below: COBRA: Finning, K., Richards, D. A., Moore, L., Ekers, D., McMillan, D., Farrand, P. A., O'Mahen, H. A., Watkins, E. R., Wright, K. A., Fletcher, E., Rhodes, S., Woodhouse, R., & Wray, F. (2017). Cost and outcome of behavioural activation versus cognitive behavioural therapy for depression (COBRA): a qualitative process evaluation. BMJ Open, 7(4), e014161. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014161 Richards, D. A., Rhodes, S., Ekers, D., McMillan, D., Taylor, R. S., Byford, S., Barrett, B., Finning, K., Ganguli, P., Warren, F., Farrand, P., Gilbody, S., Kuyken, W., O'Mahen, H., Watkins, E., Wright, K., Reed, N., Fletcher, E., Hollon, S. D., & Moore, L. (2017). Cost and Outcome of BehaviouRal Activation (COBRA): a randomised controlled trial of behavioural activation versus cognitive–behavioural therapy for depression. Health Technology Assessment, 21(46), 1–366. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta21460 Richards, D. A., Ekers, D., McMillan, D., Taylor, R. S., Byford, S., Warren, F. C., Barrett, B., Farrand, P. A., Gilbody, S., Kuyken, W., O'Mahen, H., Watkins, E. R., Wright, K. A., Hollon, S. D., Reed, N., Rhodes, S., Fletcher, E., & Finning, K. (2016). Cost and Outcome of Behavioural Activation versus Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression (COBRA): a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority Trial. The Lancet, 388(10047), 871–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31140-0 BASIL: Gilbody, S., Littlewood, E., McMillan, D., Atha, L., Bailey, D., Baird, K., Brady, S., Burke, L., Chew-Graham, C. A., Coventry, P., Crosland, S., Fairhurst, C., Henry, A., Hollingsworth, K., Newbronner, E., Ryde, E., Shearsmith, L., Wang, H.-I., Webster, J., & Woodhouse, R. (2024). Behavioural activation to mitigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on older people in England and Wales (BASIL+): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Healthy Longevity, 5(2), e97–e107. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2666-7568(23)00238-6 Littlewood, E., McMillan, D., Graham, C. C., Bailey, D., Gascoyne, S., Sloane, C., Burke, L., Coventry, P., Crosland, S., Fairhurst, C., Henry, A., Hewitt, C., Baird, K., Ryde, E., Shearsmith, L., Traviss-Turner, G., Woodhouse, R., Webster, J., Meader, N., & Churchill, R. (2022). Can we mitigate the psychological impacts of social isolation using behavioural activation? Long-term results of the UK BASIL urgent public health COVID-19 pilot randomised controlled trial and living systematic review. Evidence-Based Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2022-300530 More information and publications related to the study can be found www.BASILStudy.org CASPER: Gilbody, S., Lewis, H., Adamson, J., Atherton, K., Bailey, D., Birtwistle, J., Bosanquet, K., Clare, E., Delgadillo, J., Ekers, D., Foster, D., Gabe, R., Gascoyne, S., Haley, L., Hamilton, J., Hargate, R., Hewitt, C., Holmes, J., Keding, A., & Lilley-Kelly, A. (2017). Effect of Collaborative Care vs Usual Care on Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults With Subthreshold Depression. JAMA, 317(7), 728. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.0130 Lewis, H., Adamson, J., Atherton, K., Bailey, D., Birtwistle, J., Bosanquet, K., Clare, E., Delgadillo, J., Ekers, D., Foster, D., Gabe, R., Gascoyne, S., Haley, L., Hargate, R., Hewitt, C., Holmes, J., Keding, A., Lilley-Kelly, A., Maya, J., & McMillan, D. (2017). CollAborative care and active surveillance for Screen-Positive EldeRs with subthreshold depression (CASPER): a multicentred randomised controlled trial of clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Health Technology Assessment, 21(8), 1–196. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta21080 ‌DiaDeM: More information and publications related to the programme can be found here Insika Yomama: Rochat, T. J., Dube, S., Herbst, K., ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Understanding Historical Context in CBT Practice with Dr Alasdair Churchard

    Understanding Historical Context in CBT Practice with Dr Alasdair Churchard
    Dec 29 2025
    In this episode of Let's Talk About CBT- Practice Matters, Rachel is joined by Dr Alasdair Churchard, clinical psychologist, CBT therapist and NIHR pre doctoral fellow at the University of Oxford. Alasdair's work focuses on ethnic inequalities in psychological therapies, and together they explore why historical context matters in CBT practice. The discussion covers the importance of addressing ethnic inequalities in mental health services and explores practical considerations for therapists, including how to broach difficult historical topics, the balance of asking versus self-education, and the need to focus on histories of strength and self-empowerment alongside trauma. Further resources: Language used: Talking about race and ethnicity at work | The Law Society, Writing about ethnicity - GOV.UKRHO report: Ethnic Inequalities in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)MHA detentions: Detentions under the Mental Health Act - GOV.UK Ethnicity facts and figuresMarmot report: Structural Racism, Ethnicity and Health Inequalities in London - IHEBansal meta-ethnography: Bansal, N., Karlsen, S., Sashidharan, S. P., Cohen, R., Chew-Graham, C. A., & Malpass, A. (2022). Understanding ethnic inequalities in mental healthcare in the UK: A meta-ethnography. PLoS Medicine, 19(12), e1004139.Some culturally-adapted CBT links:Williams, M. T. (2020). Managing microaggressions: Addressing everyday racism in therapeutic spaces. Oxford University Press.Rathod, S., Kingdon, D., Pinninti, N., Turkington, D., & Phiri, P. (2015). Cultural adaptation of CBT for serious mental illness: a guide for training and practice. John Wiley & Sons.Beck, A. (2016). Transcultural cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety and depression: A practical guide. Routledge.Iwamasa, G. Y., & Hays, P. A. (2019). Culturally responsive cognitive behavior therapy: Practice and supervision (pp. xi-348). American Psychological Association. Lawton, L., Thwaites, R., & Warnock-Parkes, E. (2025). Using cognitive therapy for PTSD when racism was part of the traumatic event (s): case illustrations and practical considerations for therapists and supervisors. the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 18, e31.What is metacompetence?: Whittington, A., & Grey, N. (2014). Mastering metacompetence: The science and art of cognitive behavioural therapy. How to become a more effective CBT therapist: Mastering metacompetence in clinical practice, 1-16.Helen Kennerley on the working relationship: Kennerley, H. (2014). Developing and maintaining a working alliance in CBT. How to become a more effective CBT therapist: Mastering metacompetence in clinical practice, 31-43.Ian Andrew James on kitchen sink formulations: James, I. A. (2010). Cognitive behavioural therapy with older people: Interventions for those with and without dementia. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.Ken Laidlaw on formulation: Laidlaw, K. (2014). CBT for older people: An introduction.Source for Seamus Heaney quotes: Heaney, S. (2014). Crediting Poetry: The Nobel Lecture. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.DPR model:Churchard, A. (2022). How can psychotherapists improve their practice with service users from minoritised ethnicities? An application of the Declarative-Procedural-Reflective (DPR) model of clinical skill development. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 15, e1.Thwaites, R., Churchard, A., Mofrad, L., Wood, D., & Brooks-Ucheaga, M. (2025). Considering the whole self: integrating identity (s), context and power into the declarative procedural reflective (DPR) model of CBT practitioner development. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 18, e35. SP/SR for therapists from minoritised ethnicities:Chowdhury, S. S., Churchard, A., Lawton, L., Malik, Z., Thwaites, R., & Clements, H. (2025). A novel self-practice/self-reflection programme for CBT therapists from minoritised ethnic backgrounds: a multiple baselines single case experimental study. the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 18, e15. Stay Connected: Follow us on BlueSky and Instagram: @BABCPpodcastsSend us your questions and suggestions: podcasts@babcp.comSubscribe and leave a review – and don't forget to share this episode with your colleagues! If you enjoyed this episode, check out our sister podcasts, Let's Talk About CBT and Let's Talk About CBT – Research Matters for more discussions on evidence-based therapy. Credits: Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF This podcast was edited by Steph Curnow
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • The what, how and why of Behavioural Activation with Dr Christopher Martell

    The what, how and why of Behavioural Activation with Dr Christopher Martell
    Nov 27 2025

    In this episode of Practice Matters, host Rachel Handley speaks with Dr Christopher Martell, a leading expert in behavioural activation (BA) for depression. Christopher shares his journey from early training in CBT to becoming a key figure in the development of BA, describing how behavioural strategies can help people move toward a more meaningful life when depression keeps them stuck.

    Rachel puts common myths to him, including whether BA is too simplistic for complex cases or ignores thoughts and emotions, and he explains how BA works with both private and public behaviour to support change. They explore the importance of values, small steps, and compassionate coaching, as well as new research into biological mechanisms involved in recovery. Christopher also reflects on therapist challenges, resilience in clients, and why activation sometimes means slowing down.

    Further resources:

    Behavioural Activation for Depression: Second Edition: A Clinician's Guide

    A Darkness Visible- William Styron

    The Noonday Demon- Andrew Solomon

    Find out more about Christopher and his publications here: https://christophermartellphd.com/

    Stay Connected:

    • Follow us on BlueSky and Instagram: @BABCPpodcasts
    • Send us your questions and suggestions: podcasts@babcp.com
    • Subscribe and leave a review – and don't forget to share this episode with your colleagues!

    If you enjoyed this episode, check out our sister podcasts, Let's Talk About CBT and Let's Talk About CBT – Research Matters for more discussions on evidence-based therapy.

    Credits:

    Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat

    Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee

    License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF

    This podcast was edited by Steph Curnow
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 17 mins
  • "The engine of mindfulness is exploration" … discovering Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with Professor Zindel Segal

    "The engine of mindfulness is exploration" … discovering Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with Professor Zindel Segal
    Oct 27 2025

    In this episode, Rachel talks with Professor Zindel Segal, Distinguished Professor of Psychology in Mood Disorders all about Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. (MBCT). Zindel discusses the origins of MBCT, detailing how he and his colleagues transitioned from traditional cognitive therapy to integrating mindfulness as a core mechanism for preventing depression relapse. The conversation explores the fundamental concepts of mindfulness, the challenges therapists face when shifting from goal-oriented CBT to mindfulness inquiry, and the empirical evidence supporting MBCT's efficacy, particularly concerning the neurobiological findings about sense foraging and the role of sensation in recovery.

    Further resources:

    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression – Segal, Williams & Teasdale
    • Better in Every Sense – Segal & Farb
    • MBCT website

    Stay Connected:

    • Follow us on BlueSky and Instagram: @BABCPpodcasts
    • Send us your questions and suggestions: podcasts@babcp.com
    • Subscribe and leave a review – and don't forget to share this episode with your colleagues!

    If you enjoyed this episode, check out our sister podcasts, Let's Talk About CBT and Let's Talk About CBT – Research Matters for more discussions on evidence-based therapy.

    Credits:

    Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat

    Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee

    License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF

    This podcast was edited by Steph Curnow
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Rumination and Depression with Professor Ed Watkins

    Rumination and Depression with Professor Ed Watkins
    Sep 30 2025

    In this episode, Rachel Handley talks with Professor Ed Watkins, Professor of Psychology at the University of Exeter a world-leading expert in Rumination and its impact on mental health and wellbeing. Professor Watkins talks about Rumination-Focussed Cognitive Therapy, an evidence-based approach he has developed and trialled to target these specific processes in depression.

    They discuss:

    • What is rumination
    • What might be the different between adaptive and maladaptive rumination
    • How rumination can become a habit that can maintain low mood, anxiety and depression
    • The development and application of Rumination-Focused CBT (RFCBT) to depression
    • Practical techniques to shift clients from ruminative abstract, self-critical thinking into concrete, experiential, and compassionate approaches
    • When RFCBT may be especially helpful, including with complex or chronic depression

    Resources & Further Learning:

    Find more information about Ed and his publications here

    Find out more about The Calming Minds Project here

    Stay Connected:

    • Follow us on Instagram: @BABCPpodcasts
    • Send us your questions and suggestions: podcasts@babcp.com
    • Subscribe and leave a review – and don't forget to share this episode with your colleagues!

    If you enjoyed this episode, check out our sister podcasts, Let's Talk About CBT and Let's Talk About CBT – Research Matters for more discussions on evidence-based therapy.

    Credits:

    Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat

    Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee

    License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF

    This podcast was edited by Steph Curnow
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Prof Judith Beck : Back to basics… or back to the future?

    Prof Judith Beck : Back to basics… or back to the future?
    Aug 19 2025
    In this episode of Practice Matters, Rachel is joined by Professor Judith Beck, President of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and one of the most influential voices in the field. Judith discusses her personal and professional journey into CBT, the legacy of her father Aaron T. Beck, and the evolution of cognitive therapy from its traditional roots to recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R). Judith also shares insights on the importance of the therapeutic relationship, strategies for validating clients, managing hopelessness, and adapting CBT across cultures and how therapists can look after themselves, continue learning, and stay connected. Resources and links mentioned in this episode: Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior TherapySubscribe to the Beck Institute newsletter Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond (3rd edition, 2021) by Judith S. Beck Beck Institute social media channels: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckinstituteLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beck-institute-for-cognitive-behavior-therapy/X: https://twitter.com/beckinstituteYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BeckInstitute Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @BABCPpodcastsSend us your questions and suggestions: podcasts@babcp.comSubscribe and leave a review – and don't forget to share this episode with your colleagues! If you enjoyed this episode, check out our sister podcasts, Let's Talk About CBT and Let's Talk About CBT – Research Matters for more discussions on evidence-based therapy. Credits: Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF This podcast was edited by Steph Curnow Transcript: Rachel: Welcome to Let's Talk About CBT Practice Matters, the BABCP podcast for therapists using cognitive behavioral therapy with me, Rachel Handley. Each episode, we talk to an expert in CBT who will share insights that will help you understand and apply CBT better to help your patients. Today, I'm really delighted to be joined by Professor Judith Beck. Professor Beck is president of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy and clinical professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. She has published prolifically on CBT, including key texts that are to be found on the bookshelves of almost every CBT therapist with a desire to hone their craft. And they really do guide us through the basics and beyond. Judy, welcome to the podcast. Judith Beck: Thank you for having me. Rachel: I'm fortunate to have met you previously during a brief period of study at the Beck Institute many moons ago now. However, I imagine that I feel about spending time talking to you about CBT the same way normal people might feel about chatting to celebrities, given that of course your CBT royalty, your father being Aaron T. Beck, also widely regarded as the father of CBT and that you've worked so closely with him to develop the field. It might perhaps seem inevitable given that background that you would end up in this work, but you clearly could have chosen any number of career pathways. Can you tell us a little bit about your personal and professional journey to where you are now? Judith Beck: So I've always loved children. And when I was probably six or seven, I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. And so when I went to the University of Pennsylvania, I studied education to become a teacher, but I took a lot of psychology courses as well. And I taught kids with learning disabilities for a while and then decided that if I wanted to have a career or met my career as a teacher, I really had to go back and get a professional degree, a master's degree. And so I went back to school and got a master's in educational psychology. Then worked as a supervisor for a little while and decided that I should really probably get a PhD. And it was toward the beginning of my PhD program that I became more interested in psychology and in my father's work. And I really think that I must have been at least subliminally influenced by my dad when I was a teacher and when I was a supervisor. At the beginning when I started to consider going into this field, I had kind of a naive idea and it was an automatic thought. I thought, I just don't know if I'm cut out to be a psychologist because I've always been such an intuitive teacher. I didn't really need someone to teach me how to teach, especially when it came to teaching kids with learning disabilities. It was just quite natural for me to know how to take something that was complicated and break it down and speak to my young students in a way that they could understand. So I thought, how could I learn to be a psychologist? I'm not intuitive at all about how to do that. Rachel: So if it requires some learning, then it can't be for me. Judith Beck: That was my thought at the time. And fortunately it turned out to be...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Prof Heather O'Mahen and Dr Sarah Healy on CBT for anxiety and depression in the perinatal period

    Prof Heather O'Mahen and Dr Sarah Healy on CBT for anxiety and depression in the perinatal period
    Jul 15 2025
    In this episode of Let's Talk About CBT- Practice Matters, host Rachel Handley is joined by two leading experts in perinatal mental health- Professor Heather O'Mahen and Dr Sarah Healy. Together, they explore the unique challenges, adaptations, and opportunities that come with providing effective CBT for individuals during the perinatal period. Heather and Sarah draw on their clinical experience, policy work, and research to discuss why perinatal-specific approaches are needed, the prevalence and impact of perinatal mental health difficulties, and how therapists can adapt CBT to meet the needs of diverse parents and families. The conversation also covers access to care, the role of identity and stigma, supporting culturally diverse and neurodiverse parents, and therapist wellbeing when working in this emotionally heightened period. Whether you're working in NHS Talking Therapies, secondary or specialist care, private practice, or simply want to deepen your understanding of this vital area, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical strategies for helping parents during this transformative time. Resources & Further Learning: · Find out more about the Pearl Institute here · Access the Perinatal Positive Practice Guide here · Take part in the Jame Lind Alliance perinatal mental health survey here · Listen to the our previous episode on OCD in the perinatal period with Dr Fiona Challacombe Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @BABCPpodcastsSend us your questions and suggestions: podcasts@babcp.comSubscribe and leave a review – and don't forget to share this episode with your colleagues! If you enjoyed this episode, check out our sister podcasts, Let's Talk About CBT and Let's Talk About CBT – Research Matters for more discussions on evidence-based therapy. Credits: Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF This podcast was edited by Steph Curnow Transcript: Rachel: Welcome to Let's Talk About CBT-Practice Matters, the BABCP podcast for therapists using cognitive behavioural therapy with me, Rachel Handley. Each episode, we talk to an expert in CBT who will share insights that will help you understand and apply CBT better to help your patients. Today, we have the pleasure of being joined by not one but two experts in perinatal mental health, Professor Heather O'Mahen and Sarah Healy. Professor O'Mahen is Professor of Perinatal and Clinical Psychology at the University of Exeter and world leading expert in treatments for depression and anxiety in the perinatal period. Her work focuses not only on improving treatments, but also on improving treatment access, for example, through digital delivery. Heather is also currently National Clinical Advisor to NHS England's Perinatal Mental Health Policy Team. And Dr. Healy is a leading perinatal clinical psychologist with over 20 years' experience in the field. She co-led with Heather the development of the Talking Therapies perinatal competency framework and contributes regularly to the development of perinatal mental health policy. They've also founded together the Pearl Institute, which provides evidence-based training for clinicians working in the perinatal period. You're both so welcome. Thank you so much for making time in your busy schedules to come on the podcast. I think the fact that from the first planning to recording this podcast has taken us about 10 months is probably a good indicator of just how busy you are doing this brilliant work. Heather: Thanks for having us, Rachel. Rachel: Now, I know you're both hugely committed to working in perinatal mental health, and I'm wondering how you came to work in the field and what's kept you fascinated by it personally and professionally? Heather? Heather: Well, I came to it accidentally. I applied to do a post-doc at the University of Michigan when I was living in the States and it was in primary care. But they had rejigged things and then said, we have this other one in perinatal mental health, would you be interested? I had a long-standing interest in women's mental health so that sounded really great to me and I said, yeah, I'm definitely interested. Then I started doing therapy with women, parents from the perinatal period, and also doing research in the area, and I just couldn't stop. It's such an incredible, transformative period in people's lives. It's such a meaningful time to get to work with folks. There's so much that's going on, but there's so many opportunities to walk alongside people during this period of change. And then of course I had my own children and that fed it further. And so here I am. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Then you learn like, wow, it really, really, really, really is important. Rachel: You learn what it's really about. Fantastic. And how about you, Sarah? Sarah: Yeah, I guess I came a...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 28 mins
  • Befriending the naughty black dog…. Prof Barney Dunn on learning to live well alongside depression

    Befriending the naughty black dog…. Prof Barney Dunn on learning to live well alongside depression
    May 29 2025
    In this episode, Rachel talks with Professor Barney Dunn, clinical psychologist and researcher at the University of Exeter, about his work on Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT) a novel approach to treating depression that targets anhedonia (difficulty experiencing pleasure) and aims to boost wellbeing. Barney shares personal and professional insights into why and how traditional CBT might be augmented to actively help people rediscover joy and meaning in life. He explains how ADepT, based on systematic research, integrates cognitive behavioural principles with techniques from ACT, mindfulness, strengths-based CBT and more, all aimed at helping clients live well alongside depression rather than simply reduce symptoms. Whether you're a therapist working with depression or simply curious about new directions in CBT, this episode offers a thought-provoking and inspiring conversation about what it really means to get better- and stay better. Resources & Further Learning: Find more information about Barney and his publications here Find out more about ADepT here Stay Connected: Follow us on Instagram: @BABCPpodcastsSend us your questions and suggestions: podcasts@babcp.comSubscribe and leave a review – and don't forget to share this episode with your colleagues! If you enjoyed this episode, check out our sister podcasts, Let's Talk About CBT and Let's Talk About CBT – Research Matters for more discussions on evidence-based therapy. Credits: Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF This podcast was edited by Steph Curnow Transcript: Rachel: Welcome to Let's Talk About CBT Practice Matters, the BABCP podcast for therapists using cognitive behavioural therapy with me, Rachel Handley. Each episode, we talk to an expert in CBT who will share insights that will help you understand and apply CBT better to help your patients. Today, we're joined by Barney Dunn, a highly renowned research and clinical psychologist specialising in therapies to improve wellbeing and functioning in depression and related mental health conditions. Professor Dunn is based at the University of Exeter, and he has a finger in many interesting pies, but today he's here to talk particularly about his work developing and implementing treatment for depression with a particular focus on symptoms of anhedonia. Thanks so much for joining us, Barney. Barney: Thank you very much for having me, delighted to be here. Rachel: And just as a starter, we want to think about how you got into this area of research. And as I said, you're interested in lots of different things, but you've devoted a lot of your time and effort to thinking about anhedonia. There's so much to fascinate in clinical psychology. I wonder what got you interested in the field of depression and specifically this anhedonia area personally and professionally? Barney: Professionally, when I was doing clinical training and learning to cut my teeth with a lot of depression cases, hitting a point where I felt like I'd done quite a lot of work reducing the negative and reducing symptoms, but the job was only half done. And clients were saying things like, at the end of therapy, well, I'm not depressed anymore, but I'm still not quite sure what life's for and I'm not enjoying stuff. And I felt...Well, maybe I'm not doing CBT correctly, or maybe there's a bit of a trick missing about how we can do that stuff better. So that was the kind of professional route into it. The personal route into it was a bit more growing up with my dad. So I lost my mum when I was little and was very well supported by my family but seeing my dad in my eyes never quite get back to life, never rediscovering joy and connection and meaning and grinding through and turning the wheels, but not getting pleasure back and thinking there's a missed opportunity there. Even after the difficult, there's possibility for the good. And so that's the kind of personal motivation is thinking of clients like my dad, how could I help them get back to life when they've been through some difficulty and rediscover wellbeing and joy? Rachel So that really meaningful connection for you from your own lived experience with being alongside someone who never got that meaning back. Those are big questions. And I hear what you say, you working in depression, you get good results with your clients in terms of their symptoms improving, but you talked about a job half well done or half done. Currently, how well are these symptoms targeted in mainstream treatments? I mean, it's a brave man who takes on, you know, Beckian cognitive therapy and thinks, right, we need to do better. Barney: Well, I mean, we should follow the data. So if you do Beckian cognitive therapy and indeed any other evidence-based treatment for depression under ideal circumstances, really good therapists who are really well supervised, you basically get ...
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 16 mins