Adapting Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for India: Potential Barriers and Possible Solutions

Although Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is a part of the training on several mental health training programmes and a course has been developed in Chennai there is a considerable unmet need for this therapy in Indian mental health services. This paper describes the context for developing CBT training course and feedback from trainees of the second wave of training as to what they believe are the likely barriers to developing this therapy in Indian mental health services. Fourteen participants in a week long CBT training programme were asked to complete a semi-structured questionnaire regarding likely barriers to developing this therapy. Participants identified the availability of supervision, the need for training which emphasised practical skills over theoretical knowledge and the need for wider institutional support at local, state and national level as likely barriers. Developing training courses and promoting CBT as a credible option in major presenting mental health problems in all these domains was seen as crucial in developing this model in India. It was concluded that Good links with UK training courses are currently being developed which will support Indian mental health workers to develop and adapt this model in the Indian context.