Group cognitive–behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression

Cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) delivered in group format has attracted less research than CBT delivered on a one-to-one basis. Nevertheless, no doubt influenced by the challenge of limited resources, many centres do offer group therapy based on CBT principles as an alternative or in addition to more traditional CBT delivered to individuals. In England, the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme (Department of Health 2008) aims to greatly increase the number of people treated using evidence-based approaches (as defined by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, NICE) for depression and anxiety disorders in primary care. The potential economies of scale afforded by the use of group work will be an attractive proposition for National Health Service providers working to implement IAPT.