Cognitive Therapy of Anxiety Disorders

Cognitive therapies are based on the idea that behavior and emotions result largely from an individual's appraisal of a situation, and are therefore influenced by that individual's beliefs, assumptions and images. This book is a comprehensive guide to cognitive therapy of anxiety disorders. Cognitive Theory and Models of Anxiety: An Introduction.

Assessment: An Overview.

Cognitive Therapy: Basic Characteristics.

Cognitive Therapy: Basic Techniques.

Panic Disorder.

Hypochondriasis: Health Anxiety.

Social Phobia.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Future Developments in Cognitive Therapy.

Rating Scales.

Appendix.

References.

Index.

"... an excellent section on GAD and the metacognitive approach...." (The Observer, 14 October 2001)

Adrian Wells, PhD, is Professor of Clinical and Experimental Psychopathology at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, and Professor II in Clinical Psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. He is internationally known for his contributions to understanding psychopathological mechanisms and advancing cognitive-behavioral therapy, particularly for anxiety disorders. The originator of metacognitive therapy, Dr. Wells has published over 130 scientific papers, chapters, and books. He is Associate Editor of the journals Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and is a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Dr. Wells is a founder and director of the Metacognitive Therapy Institute and a patron of the charity Anxiety UK.

All mental health clinicians and professionals, in practice and training, will welcome this concise and practical book which provides

• a detailed account of cognitive models, including new perspectives
• state-of-the-art applications of cognitive therapy
• case examples demonstrating the real world application of techniques
• specific coverage of major categories of anxiety disorders
• knowledge based on very substantial treatment and outcome experience

This book emphasises the design and implementation of ?pure? cognitive therapy interventions. There are general sections on assessment and basic cognitive therapy skills, as well as practical advice on designing and executing behavioural experiments, homework tasks, and verbal re-attribution methods. A useful appendix includes questionnaires and outcome measures, and a selection of material that can be copied for patients. "Adrian Wells provides here a comprehensive overview of the cognitive model of anxiety disorders and illustrates how detailed, disorder-specific cognitive conceptualizations inform the choice of therapeutic interventions. The book incorporates the most up-to-date theory of anxiety disorders, much of it originated by the author. Dr Wells provides an array of effective, user-friendly cognitive techniques and vivid case examples. Students and seasoned therapists will find this volume valuable." Aaron T. Beck