Integrating Social Determinants of Health Within Cognitive Therapy

AbstractPurposeSocial determinants of health (SDOH) encompass the range of conditions in a person ’s environment that impacts health and health outcomes. We summarize the literature examining the intersection of SDOH and cognitive therapy (CT) and provide concrete clinical guidance for incorporating SDOH into a cognitively oriented case conceptualization and implementation of CT.Recent findingsWe begin by providing a brief overview of cognitive theory, the impact of SDOH on clinical presentations, and current literature examining SDOH and CT. We then offer a step-by-step approach to incorporate attention to SDOH into assessment, case conceptualization, and delivery of CT. Finally, we explicitly examine five key domains central to SDOH including: health care, social and community context, neighborhood and built environment, education, and economic stability. Within each domain, case examples are provided to highlight possible cognitions and schemas related to SDOH that warrant consideration as possible targets for intervention in CT.SummarySDOH undoubtedly intersect with mental health outcomes, and attending to this bidirectional relationship over the course of CT can enhance outcomes. The empirical research evaluating this intersectionality is sparse, and there is little clinical guidance for implementing CT using a SDOH-informed approach. This critical gap in the knowledge base on SDOH-informed CT is particularly relevant when working with minoritized populations for whom ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research