CHAPTER 40
Cognitive, Interpersonal and
Other Individual Therapies
We use the term individual therapies to refer to interventions based on a
therapist seeing a child or adolescent on their own and working mainly
via talking with them to change their beliefs, feelings and behaviour. Here
we describe four varieties: cognitive therapy, social problem-solving skills
therapy, interpersonal therapy, and counselling and psychotherapy. They
differ from behavioural theories that chiefly address external contingen-
cies, and family therapies that address how the family unit functions.
Cognitive therapy
A cognitive approach goes beyond externally observable behaviour and
acknowledges the internal world of thoughts and mental schemas, if not
feelings. Cognitions are recognised as having an independent effect on
behaviour, and not being just epiphenomena secondary to external events
and internal physiology. The mind is recognised as being able to direct
behaviour as well as be aware of it.
Behavioural methodsare especially useful in situations where:
1 External contingencies can be controlled, for example, in a family
with parents present for several hours a day, or in a school class.
2 Individuals have cognitive abilities that are less well developed, for
example, young children, those with low intellect.
3 Problems are easily identifiable by observable behaviours.
Cognitive methodscan be especially useful for situations where:
1 The individual is less constrained by external contingencies and is
relying more on self-direction and choosing their own immediate
environment, for example, out on the street, in the school play-
ground, or alone away from home.
2 Individuals have the capacity for independent thought, which can
be translated into action.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Third Edition. Robert Goodman and Stephen Scott.
©c2012 Robert Goodman and Stephen Scott. Published 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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