Anxiety disorders are the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric conditions in children and adolescents. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a well-established and effective treatment for anxiety and related disorders across the lifespan. Expectations of psychotherapy have been demonstrated to affect outcomes, yet there is sparse existing literature on adolescent patient and parent perspectives of CBT prior to engagement with treatment.

This study aimed to qualitatively explore the expectations and perceptions of CBT for anxiety and related disorders among adolescent patients and parents.

Fourteen adolescent patients and 16 parents participated in semi-structured individual interviews or focus groups consisting of 2–3 participants. Interview transcripts were analysed using inductive analysis.

Three themes were identified: worries about CBT, expectations and knowledge of the CBT process, and the role of parents and families. Overall, we found that adolescents and parents had generally positive views of CBT. The outset of CBT saw adolescents and parents express concern about stigma as well as the ambiguity of CBT. Parents continued to express a lack of understanding of what CBT entailed during their child’s treatment course.

These results suggest that both adolescents and parents would benefit from early discussion and reinforcement of expectations for CBT treatment. Further research efforts are warranted and should be directed towards determining appropriate expectations for parental involvement in a child’s CBT course and effective communication of treatment expectations to both adolescents and parents.

Behavioural activation (BA) is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for the treatment of perinatal depression; however, there is limited evidence about whether it is effective when delivered by non-mental health specialists (NMHS) in a perinatal setting in the UK.

This study aimed to adapt a BA intervention manual and guided self-help booklet intended for delivery by NMHSs for the treatment of perinatal depression.

Interviews were conducted with 15 women and 19 healthcare professionals (HCP) within the first study element. Four experience-based co-design (EBCD) workshops were held, with the involvement of 14 women and three HCPs, to modify the BA documents for the specific needs of perinatal women. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

The findings from the study elements were presented with themes. The co-designers (women and HCPs) pointed out that having sleeping problems, changes in appetite, feeling exhausted and feeling emotional, may be experienced by non-depressed mothers as well during pregnancy or in the postpartum period, especially around the fourth day after giving birth. Therefore, it was important to differentiate these feelings from depression. The women also wanted to see an example for each activity before being asked to do it. Having examples would help them to see the possibilities before creating their own diary sheets or tables of activities.

Aside of the tool adaptation, the findings of this study provide a foundation to assess the effectiveness of the adapted intervention in a subsequent feasibility trial.

Imagery rescripting (IR) for early aversive memories in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) has shown promising results, but no study has investigated the reactions and perspectives of patients who received IR.

This study aimed to gain understanding of patients’ experiences/perspectives on IR as an adjunct to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for SAD.

Twenty-five individuals with SAD received one or two sessions of IR over 16 CBT sessions. Contents of recurrent images and linked memories were identified during IR. Outcome measures included social anxiety, image and memory distress and vividness, and encapsulated belief. Patients completed a questionnaire about their perspectives of IR after the session. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data.

IR resulted in significant within-session improvement in most outcome measures. Linked memories to negative recurrent images in social situations were categorized into nine groups. Common memories were ‘Being criticized by others’, ‘Being made fun of’, ‘Failing or not doing something well’ and ‘Being left out in a group’. Most patients (82%) experienced IR as impressive, and more than half of patients (59%) found IR effective. Themes of reasons of impressiveness and effectiveness were categorized as ‘Results of IR session’ and ‘Processes of IR session’. The theme ‘Results of IR session’ included six subthemes, and the theme ‘Processes of the IR session’ included five subthemes.

Regarding patients’ perspectives, although they may experience negative emotions in the process of an IR session, our results suggest that many patients with SAD found IR sessions effective.