ABSTRACT
Flexibility-Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (FCBT) is based on the concept of flexibility. A certain Procrustes had a house by the side of the road and offered hospitality and a bed for the night to passing strangers. The chapter examines the impact of rigidity and flexibility on psychological functioning. The chapter shows that flexibility is the healthy alternative to rigidity. It examines how the adoption of a flexible approach to work achievement would make a difference to Sarah. The chapter discusses the important role that the working alliance plays in FCBT, starting with therapeutic bonds. It utilises the term ‘flexible attitudes’ to denote attitudes at the core of psychological health. For instance, many training programmes devoted to integrative approaches to counselling and psychotherapy, either tend to exclude or downplay cognitive-behavioural elements. This seems strange considering that among the different specific approaches within psychotherapy; CBT has perhaps the best evidence base.
