ABSTRACT
The evidence based clinical practice guideline is developed to aid decisions about which forms of psychological therapy, currently available in the National Health Service (NHS), are most appropriate for particular patients. The guideline considers which other factors need to be taken into consideration when choosing the most appropriate therapy and has been produced by a multi-disciplinary development group, led by the British Psychological Society and has undergone extensive independent scientific review. The guideline is aimed at general practitioners and other referring agencies and provides them with clinical guidance on whether and when to refer a patient to counselling or psychological therapies. The scope of the guideline covers depression, anxiety, post traumatic disorders, obsessive disorders, and personality disorders, as well as chronic pain, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, and gynaecological presentations. The types of therapy addressed in the guideline include cognitive behavioural therapy, psychoanalytic therapies, systemic therapy, eclectic therapies, and integrative therapy, among others.
