Comparing Cognitive Analytic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Guided Self-Help for Anxiety and Depression in Returning NHS Talking Therapies Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether cognitive analytic therapy-guided self-help CAT-GSH is as effective and acceptable as cognitive behavioural therapy-guided self-help CBT-GSH for people with anxiety or depression returning to NHS Talking Therapies services for further treatment. The study aims to compare outcomes between those returning and those using CBT-GSH for the first time, considering factors like age. This is a prospective, quasi-experimental study involving participants who have previously received CBT-GSH. Participants choose between CAT-GSH and CBT-GSH treatments, each consisting of six one-to-one guided self-help sessions lasting 35 minutes. Sessions occur weekly or bi-weekly and can be face-to-face, online, or by telephone. Psychological wellbeing practitioners PWPs deliver the therapies and record the third session for competency review by the research team. The study collects routine outcome measures during and after treatment. Participants are identified during initial assessments and complete consent procedures by phone or email. Before, during, and after therapy, routine measures such as the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 GAD-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 PHQ-9, and Work and Social Adjustment Scale WSAS are collected to assess treatment outcomes over 6 to 12 weeks. The research team will analyze these data starting December 2025 to compare the effectiveness and acceptability of CAT-GSH versus CBT-GSH for returning patients.

Effectiveness of CAT-GSH for Returning Patients