One-session treatment is as effective as multi-session therapy for young people with phobias

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help children and young people overcome fears (phobias). It is routinely delivered over multiple sessions. A new study showed that one-session treatment is as effective as multi-session CBT, and is cheaper. Phobias are intense fears of everyday objects or situations (such as dogs or having injections) that have a severe impact on children ' s ability to enjoy everyday life. Multiple session CBT is effective, but it is expensive, takes time, and appointments can be hard to get. Researchers explored whether one-session treatment could be an alternative. It works in a similar way to CBT but takes place in one main 3-hour session. They compared one-session treatment with multi-session CBT as usually delivered to children with phobias. The treatments were equally effective. One-session treatment was also, on average, £ 300 cheaper per person. Children, their parents or guardians, and therapists found it acceptable. The researchers recommend clinicians and NHS commissioners consider one-session treatment for children and young people with phobias, where appropriate. This was the first trial to compare one-session treatment to multi-session CBT in a clinical setting, the researchers say. The pandemic meant CBT had to be delivered online for some children (instead of face-to-face) and some treatments were paused, delayed, or cancelled.
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news