Outcomes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Interventions Provided by Unlicensed Professionals

Who can take part

• Patients presenting to the Behavioral Medicine Service are generally individuals with an acute or chronic medical condition or medically related concern with or without an associated DSM-IV psychiatric disorder, as well as adult patients who require assistance with changing health or health-risk behaviors. Patients presenting to the OCD program typically have obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, Tourette syndrome, compulsive skin picking, or trichotillomania. Patients presenting to the general CBT program typically have panic disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, specific phobia, post traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or an eating disorder. Patients at any of the programs have an identifiable behavior or behavioral pattern/ mood problem that they would like to change
• Age 18 or older
• Ability to provide informed consent and comply with the study procedures
• Ability to complete self-report questionnaires (either written hardcopy or computer-based version) with adequate accommodation, if necessary
• Patients with a PCP at MGH, receiving specialty care at MGH, or employees of MGH

Who cannot take part

• Any condition that, after the baseline evaluation, is determined to preclude treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy
• Received more than 4 sessions of CBT for the target disorder within the past 3 years
• Active untreated and unstable bipolar disorder (i.e. stable bipolar disorder under care of a psychiatrist is allowed)
• Exhibit active suicidality (suicidal ideation with intent or plan) to the point that more intensive treatment (i.e. acute hospitalization) is required
• Psychosis
• Mental retardation