ABSTRACT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an umbrella term used to describe therapies that share a theoretical basis in behaviourist learning theory and cognitive psychology, and which utilise methods of change derived from these theories. Whilst different, these theoretical approaches found common ground in that their focus is on the here and now and symptom reduction. Some therapies are more focused on behavioural interventions, where the objective is to identify and effect change in habitual behaviour. Others are more focused on cognitive interventions, where the objective is to identify, monitor and challenge dysfunctional, inaccurate or unhelpful thoughts, assumptions, and beliefs that accompany difficult feelings and unhelpful behaviours. This chapter describes the history and development of CBT; considers the cognitive behavioural theory of eating disorders and describes how this model can be applied when working with children and adolescents. In addition, the chapter considers how cognitive and behavioural principles can be applied to eating difficulties in children and adolescents when weight and shape concerns are not present. Throughout the chapter, the overarching aim is to attend to the need for a developmental perspective on CBT, taking into account that children are part of families and the need to consider the interface of CBT with other interventions.
