Cognitive and behavioural therapies
Personality disorders
idea
To understand borderline personality, imagine having no history
For people with an unfairly stigmatised mental health condition, and the rest of us, it’s vital to connect past with present
by Alexander Kriss
Emerging therapies
idea
The reason little noises drive you mad is about more than sounds
Fascinating research into ‘misophonia’ – an intolerance to specific sounds – is revealing an important role for context
by Nathaniel Scharping
Depression
idea
What’s going on in depression to make negative beliefs so sticky?
Understanding why negative views persist in the face of contradictory evidence could help inform depression treatment
by Tobias Kube
Emotion regulation
idea
The Stoics were right – emotional control is good for the soul
Both neuroscience and psychotherapy agree that you can change your mental framework as the Stoic Marcus Aurelius described
by István Darabán
Self-harm and suicide
idea
Why religious belief provides a real buffer against suicide risk
Under-recognised as a protective force against suicide, religious faith has multiple features that help to save lives
by David H Rosmarin
Cognitive and behavioural therapies
idea
CBT is the ‘gold standard’, but is that just for white people?
CBT is supported by a strong evidence base. However, effective cultural adaptation of the therapy is a work in progress
by Shayla Love
Psychotherapy
idea
Psychotherapy under the microscope: how exactly does it work?
To improve psychotherapy, researchers are looking beyond what happens in a session to learn exactly how change is achieved
by Ciarán O’Driscoll
Cognitive and behavioural therapies
idea
The philosophical roots of CBT help explain its limitations
Not all psychological problems are thinking problems. Trying to solve them purely cognitively, with CBT, won’t help us mature
by Bradley Murray
Trauma and PTSD
idea
PTSD looks different in young children – but it’s still treatable
When tantrums and other changes indicate post-traumatic dysfunction, specialised therapy could help children with PTSD
by Caitlin Hitchcock
Self-harm and suicide
idea
When all looks bleak, hopebuilding strategies offer a lifeline
Hopelessness is a major link in the chain that leads to suicide. Strategies to nurture hope are key in the prevention toolkit
by Kathryn Gordon
Cognitive and behavioural therapies
idea
Can a short behavioural boot camp really grind anxiety to dust?
It’s a bumpy ride and won’t probe the origins of past trauma. But intensive CBT can reduce debilitating anxiety in days
by Elizabeth Svoboda
Difficult emotions
idea
A new approach to therapy promises to tackle neuroticism head-on
Therapy often focuses on symptoms of specific disorders. Targeting a high-risk personality trait could be more efficient
by Shannon Sauer-Zavala