Chair's Bulletin
20 March 2009
This letter was published in the Observer on 15 March 2009 under the heading 'Talking' initiative good idea but flawed.
Much about the government's plans to increase "talking
therapies" for people suffering recession-linked anxiety and depression is
to be applauded ("Recession victims to be offered government-backed
psychological treatment", News, last week). It acknowledges the importance
of early intervention. It will help tackle the stigma that still surrounds
mental health difficulties. It will allow people to self-refer for support.
And yet. Embedded in an initiative with so much potential for good is the assumption that one form of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), is the best treatment for all anxiety and depression. What is on offer is not so much a "one size fits all" approach to the complexities of human suffering but "only size 6 shoes are available, and if they don't fit, that's your problem".
We know that children are often the ones who suffer most when their parents become stressed by poverty and unemployment. Your excellent booklets Understanding People (Guardian and Observer, last week) highlighted the impact of unemployment and work stress on families and the importance of people's close relationships and support networks in helping them through these crises. The importance of supporting families has been acknowledged in government initiatives such as the "Think Family" approach to social care. NICE guidelines support a range of therapies, including family and systemic psychotherapy, for children and adults. This understanding now needs to cascade through all levels of mental health provision. Supporting a range of helpful psychological therapies within the NHS is essential. We urge those responsible for this proposal to think again.
Professor Arlene Vetere, president, European Family Therapy
Association
Professor Peter Stratton, UKCP chair of research
Dr Julia Bland, consultant psychiatrist,
Dr Ivan Eisler, reader in family psychology and family
psychotherapy, King's College,
Tom Warnecke, integrative psychotherapist and UKCP vice
chair registrants
Dr Charlotte Burck, consultant systemic psychotherapist,
Tavistock Clinic
Dorothy Ramsay, chair, Association for Family Therapy
UK Council for Psychotherapy | Registered Charity No. 1058545 | Company No. 3258939 Registered in England
