Treatments That Work

Individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and affective disorders, often experience cognitive deficits that make it difficult to perform everyday tasks. For example, they may have difficulty with attention, memory, processing speed, and problem solving, and this may interfere with functioning at work, school, and in social situations. Cognitive remediation is an evidence-based behavioral treatment for people who are experiencing cognitive impairments that interfere with role functioning. This edition contains all the information needed to set up a cognitive remediation program so clients can strengthen the cognitive skills needed for everyday functioning. The program described is called Neuropsychological and Educational Approach to Remediation (NEAR), which is an evidence-based approach to cognitive remediation that uses carefully crafted instructional techniques that reflect an understanding of how people learn best. The goals of NEAR are to provide a positive learning experience, to promote independent learning, and to promote optimal cognitive functioning in daily life. This second edition of the popular 2009 therapist’s guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to implement NEAR techniques with patients to improve their cognitive functioning and quality of life. Guidelines are provided for setting up and running a successful cognitive remediation program. Therapists learn how to choose appropriate cognitive exercises, recruit and work with clients, perform intake interviews, and create treatment plans. This guide comes complete with all the tools necessary for facilitating treatment, including program evaluation forms and client handouts.Less

Incorporating a wide variety of CBT techniques, this program Facilitator Guide can help therapists work with patients suffering from a range of chronic and terminal diseases. This skill-based program emphasizes flexibility and should be tailored to individual clients, and introduces stress management techniques, including cognitive restructuring, relaxation, and problem-focused and emotion-focused coping. It also discusses mood management, with sessions on depression, anxiety, and anger. Social support is addressed where clients learn communication and conflict resolution skills. Special attention is paid to supporting caregivers and working with medical providers. It also covers quality of life and symptom management, goal setting, positive psychology, and spiritual issues. An adaptation chapter details how to run the program as a group and discusses other possible formats. The corresponding workbook helps clients personalize the content of sessions and practice new skills. Less

For individuals living with HIV, stress can have a critical impact on emotional and physical well-being, as well as decreasing immune functioning, which is a significant concern for HIV-infected individuals. Written by the developer of the treatment, this manual presents an empirically supported, group treatment program that teaches HIV-infected individuals how to manage their stress. This comprehensive Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) program combines stress management with relaxation training. Each group meeting introduces a new relaxation method, such as progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, and meditation. Stress management skills build on one another and include cognitive restructuring, coping strategies, and establishing a strong social network. By the end of the program, participants are equipped with a variety of inter-related techniques that they can use to reduce stress and improve their quality of life. The guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the corresponding workbook, which provides exercises to be completed in session, monitoring forms, and homework assignments. Together they include all the material and information needed to effectively implement this program.Less

Men treated for localized prostate cancer have an excellent medical prognosis, but may have difficulty in readjusting to life after surgery as a result of treatment related side effects. Effective stress management is a key factor in increasing quality of life in this population and may play a role in maintaining overall health. Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) and relaxation training constitute the two components of this comprehensive program. Each session provides participants with stress management skills, including cognitive restructuring, coping strategies, and social support. Participants practice a variety of relaxation methods, such as progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, and meditation. Relevant issues for men having had prostate cancer, such as sexuality and communication, are also addressed. This guide is designed to be used in conjunction with the corresponding workbook, which includes in-session exercises, monitoring forms, and homework assignments. Less

After surgery for localized prostate cancer, many patients notice an increase in your stress levels or experience relationship problems. In this group program, patients learn skills to effectively manage stress, and addresses issues such as dealing with physical changes or communicating with a partner. Each group meeting also includes training in a relaxation method in order to help reduce tension and stress. This workbook comes complete with homework exercises and monitoring forms to help patients apply new stress management skills, and also includes instructions for relaxation practice that will remain useful long after the program is complete. Less

For individuals living with HIV, stress can have a critical impact on emotional and physical well-being, as well as decreasing immune functioning, which is a significant concern for HIV-infected individuals. This online workbook presents an empirically supported, group treatment program that teaches HIV-infected individuals how to manage their stress. This comprehensive Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) program combines stress management with relaxation training. Each group meeting introduces a new relaxation method, such as progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, and meditation. Stress management skills build on one another and include cognitive restructuring, coping strategies, and establishing a strong social network. By the end of the program, participants are equipped with a variety of inter-related techniques that they can use to reduce stress and improve quality of life. This workbook comes complete with user-friendly monitoring forms and homework exercises designed to help reinforce the skills learned in group. It also includes instructions for relaxation practice that will remain useful long after the program is completed. Less

Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE) is a an integrated treatment cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy program designed for patients who have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a co-occurring alcohol or drug use disorder. COPE represents an integration of two evidence-based treatments: Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for PTSD and Relapse Prevention for substance use disorders, where both the PTSD and substance use disorder are addressed concurrently in therapy by the same clinician, and patients can experience substantial reductions in both PTSD symptoms and substance use severity. The program includes information about how PTSD symptoms and substance use interact with one another; information about the most common reactions to trauma; techniques to help the patient manage cravings and thoughts about using alcohol or drugs; coping skills to help the patient prevent relapse to substances; a breathing retraining relaxation exercise; and in vivo (real life) and imaginal exposures to target the patient's PTSD symptoms.Less

Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE) is a an integrated treatment cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy program designed for patients who have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a co-occurring alcohol or drug use disorder. COPE represents an integration of two evidence-based treatments: Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy for PTSD and Relapse Prevention for substance use disorders, where both the PTSD and substance use disorder are addressed concurrently in therapy by the same clinician, and patients can experience substantial reductions in both PTSD symptoms and substance use severity. The program includes information about how PTSD symptoms and substance use interact with one another; information about the most common reactions to trauma; techniques to help the patient manage cravings and thoughts about using alcohol or drugs; coping skills to help the patient prevent relapse to substances; a breathing retraining relaxation exercise; and in vivo (real life) and imaginal exposures to target the patient's PTSD symptoms.Less

Designed for therapists working with patients who have suffered a spinal cord injury, this Therapist Guide helps clinicians to guide patients through coping effectiveness training (CET), which aims to improve skills for assessing stress, teaching a range of coping skills that can be used to tackle stress, and provide an opportunity for interaction with others who have similar experiences of spinal cord injury. CET includes the identification of effective and ineffective responses to stress, especially those that are particularly unhelpful, such as disengagement, general avoidance, long term denial, and the expression of extreme emotion. By encouraging individuals to think critically about their behaviour in response to stressors, CET helps people avoid unproductive ways of coping. CET has proven to successfully reduce levels of depression and anxiety in individuals with spinal cord injury, and also resulted in changes in negative self-perception and improved self-efficacy. A corresponding workbook provides monitoring forms, homework exercises, and other user-friendly techniques to continue the work outside of therapy.Less

Designed for patients who have suffered a spinal cord injury, this Patient Workbook helps guide patients through coping effectiveness training (CET), which aims to improve skills for assessing stress, teaching a range of coping skills that can be used to tackle stress, and provide an opportunity for interaction with others who have similar experiences of spinal cord injury. CET includes the identification of effective and ineffective responses to stress, especially those that are particularly unhelpful, such as disengagement, general avoidance, long term denial, and the expression of extreme emotion. By encouraging individuals to think critically about their behaviour in response to stressors, CET helps people avoid unproductive ways of coping. CET has proven to successfully reduce levels of depression and anxiety in individuals with spinal cord injury, and also resulted in changes in negative self-perception and improved self-efficacy. For use in conjunction with its corresponding Therapist Guide via work with a therapist, this workbook provides monitoring forms, homework exercises, and other user-friendly techniques to continue the work outside of therapy.Less

The treatment outlined in this therapist guide is intended for people suffering from depression and living with chronic illnesses. As a result of their poor health, many individuals who are chronically ill become depressed and fail to maintain steady self-care routines. Using this guide, therapists can help clients with chronic illnesses to develop core skills and techniques that will enable them to take better care of themselves. The program incorporates a unique Life-Steps module that teaches clients strategies for keeping up with their medical regimens, including tips for remembering to take medications, getting to medical appointments on time, and communicating effectively with medical providers. Based on the principles of CBT, this guide provides therapists with overviews of adherence behaviours for select illnesses including cancer, HIV, diabetes, and hypertension, among others. The chapters detail adherence skills, integrated with cognitive and behavioural strategies for managing depression such as managing pleasurable activities, adaptive thinking, problem-solving, and relaxation training. The guide concludes with suggestions on how clients can manage their illnesses and avoid relapse into behaviours that worsen their medical condition.Less

This couples-focused group program aims to improve a couple's functioning as a "team" and provides a supportive environment for couples facing similar breast cancer-related issues. Over the course of six sessions, couples learn support and communication skills, as well as techniques to manage stress and enhance intimacy. Modelling by group leaders and other couples facilitates skill acquisition. With continued use, the skills learned in group can have long-term benefits for couples. This guide, along with the corresponding workbook, provides all the information needed to implement this group program. It contains step-by-step instructions for running the group, as well as sample group leader dialogues, in-session activities, and homework assignments. The couple's workbook is designed to be shared by both partners as they work together through the program. By the end of the six weeks, couples will be better equipped as a team to cope with the stresses of cancer and the challenges that may lie ahead.Less

The program outlined in this workbook can help those who suffer from chronic medical conditions take better care of themselves while simultaneously relieving depression. Designed to be used in conjunction with visits to a qualified mental health professional, this workbook teaches strategies for maintaining a medical regimen, including how to set up a reminder system for taking medication, plan for getting to medical appointments on time, and how to communicate effectively with medical providers. It also provides guidance for following the advice of treatment providers, such as adhering to certain lifestyle and dietary recommendations. In addition to these self-care skills, it also provides direction on maximizing quality of life (QOL), including how to re-engage in pleasurable activities and use relaxation techniques and breathing exercises to help cope with stress and discomfort, as well as problem-solving to successfully deal with interpersonal or situational difficulties and change negative thought through adaptive thinking. Less

The treatment outlined in this therapist guide is intended for people suffering from depression and living with chronic illnesses. As a result of their poor health, many individuals who are chronically ill become depressed and fail to maintain steady self-care routines. Using this guide, therapists can help clients with chronic illnesses to develop core skills and techniques that will enable them to take better care of themselves. The program incorporates a unique Life-Steps module that teaches strategies for keeping up with their medical regimens, including tips for remembering to take medications, getting to medical appointments on time, and communicating effectively with medical providers. Based on the principles of CBT, this guide provides therapists with overviews of adherence behaviours for select illnesses including cancer, HIV, diabetes, and hypertension, among others. It covers adherence skills, integrated with cognitive and behavioural strategies for managing depression such as managing pleasurable activities, adaptive thinking, problem-solving, and relaxation training. The guide concludes with suggestions on how clients can manage their illnesses and avoid relapse into behaviours that worsen their medical condition.Less

This online therapist guide presents an evidence-based group treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of major depression that recurs at the same time every year, in the late autumn-winter months. In 12 sessions over 6 weeks, therapists will help guide their clients in learning the traditional CBT elements of behavioural activation and cognitive restructuring to improve coping with the winter season. It offers guidance on cognitive restructuring to focus on challenging negative thoughts related to the winter season, weather conditions, and lack of light. A relapse-prevention component addresses early identification of negative anticipatory thoughts about winter and SAD-related behaviour changes, how patients can use the skills learned to cope with subsequent winter seasons, and they can develop a personalized relapse-prevention plan. It includes homework exercises, monitoring forms, and other useful components to supplement the patients’ work done in therapy.Less

This online workbook presents an evidence-based group treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of major depression that recurs at the same time every year, in the late autumn-winter months. In 12 sessions over 6 weeks, participants learn the traditional CBT elements of behavioural activation and cognitive restructuring to improve coping with the winter season. Some cognitive restructuring focuses on challenging negative thoughts related to the winter season, weather conditions, and lack of light. A relapse-prevention component addresses early identification of negative anticipatory thoughts about winter and SAD-related behaviour changes, how to use the skills learned to cope with subsequent winter seasons, and the development of a personalized relapse-prevention plan. It includes homework exercises, monitoring forms, and other useful components to supplement the work done in therapy.Less

Millions of people attempt to lose weight every year, but most will not succeed. Simply learning about a new diet and exercise plan is not enough. This book presents 25 detailed sessions of an empirically supported, cognitive-behavioral treatment package called acceptance-based behavioral treatment (ABT) that has now been utilized successfully in five large National Institute of Health–sponsored clinical trials. The foundation of this approach is comprised of the nutritional, physical activity, and behavioral components of the most successful, gold-standard behavioral weight loss packages, such as Look Ahead and the Diabetes Prevention Project. These components are synthesized with acceptance, willingness, behavioral commitment, motivation, and relapse prevention strategies drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Relapse Prevention Therapy. ABT is premised on the idea that specialized self-control skills are necessary for weight control, given our innate desire to consume delicious foods and to conserve energy. These self-control skills revolve around a willingness to choose behaviors that may be perceived as uncomfortable for the sake of a more valuable objective. The treatment focuses on both weight loss and weight loss maintenance and aims to confer lifelong skills that facilitate long-term weight control. The companion Client Workbook contains summaries of session content, worksheets, handouts, and assignments.Less

Millions of people attempt to lose weight every year, but most will not succeed. Simply learning about a new diet and exercise plan is not enough. This book presents 25 detailed sessions of an empirically supported, cognitive-behavioral treatment package called acceptance-based behavioral treatment (ABT) that has now been utilized successfully in five large National Institute of Health–sponsored clinical trials. The foundation of this approach is comprised of the nutritional, physical activity, and behavioral components of the most successful, gold-standard behavioral weight loss packages, such as Look Ahead and the Diabetes Prevention Project. These components are synthesized with acceptance, willingness, behavioral commitment, motivation, and relapse prevention strategies drawn from acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and relapse prevention therapy. ABT is premised on the idea that specialized self-control skills are necessary for weight control, given our innate desire to consume delicious foods and to conserve energy. These self-control skills revolve around a willingness to choose behaviors that may be perceived as uncomfortable for the sake of a more valuable objective. The treatment focuses on both weight loss and weight loss maintenance and aims to confer lifelong skills that facilitate long-term weight control. This companion Client Workbook contains summaries of session content, worksheets, handouts, and assignments.Less

This online workbook gives patients correct information about sex and offers information, advice, and practical suggestions for common sexual problems, and it can be used in conjunction with visits to a qualified mental health professional or on its own, with or without a partner. It offers ways to learn to improve and enjoy your sexual relations. Divided into three parts, it presents a comprehensive program for solving sexual problems, including basic information that is helpful for understanding sexual problems and sexual functioning in general, specific sexual problems alongside information and strategies to alleviate and overcome them, and how to maintain gains made. Exercises for couples, chapter review quizzes, and user-friendly worksheets can be found throughout.Less

This online therapist guide presents a comprehensive program for assessing and treating sexual dysfunction in couples or single individuals, regardless of sexual orientation. It outlines pathways for therapy and gives recommendations for formulating a treatment plan. Therapists are encouraged to be flexible in their approach while guiding clients through this step-by-step program. Alongside the corresponding online workbook, it presents information on a number of sexual problems including low sexual desire, difficulty becoming sexually aroused, premature or quick ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, trouble achieving orgasm, and pain or discomfort during sex. Clients are educated about sexual development and common sexual myths, as well as factors that influence sexual functioning in order to create favorable conditions for sex. For each topic, this online guide offers an overview of principles underlying treatment and main concepts to convey to clients. Case vignettes illustrate key points and important tips for the therapist are highlighted throughout.Less