Assessing Panic Disorder-Specific Competencies: Evaluation of the Cognitive Therapy Competence Scale for Panic Disorder

Sheena Liness, Sarah Beale, David M Clark, Paul Salkovskis, Anke Ehlers, Jennifer Wild

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Abstract

Background: Evidence-based treatment for panic disorder comprises disorder-specific CBT protocols. However, most measures of CBT competence are generic and there is a clear need for disorder-specific assessment measures.

Aims: To fill this gap, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the Cognitive Therapy Competence Scale for Panic Disorder (CTCP).

Method: CBT trainees (n=60) submitted audio recordings of CBT for panic disorder that were scored on a generic competence measure, the Cognitive Therapy Scale – Revised (CTS-R), and the CTCP by markers with experience in CBT practice and evaluation. Trainees also provided pre- to post-treatment clinical outcomes on disorder-specific patient-report measures for cases corresponding to their therapy recordings.

Results: The CTCP exhibited strong internal consistency (α=.79-.91) and interrater reliability (ICC=.70-.88). The measure demonstrated convergent validity with the CTS-R (r=.40-.54), though investigation into competence classification indicated that the CTCP may be more sensitive at detecting competence for panic disorder-specific CBT skills. Notably, the CTCP demonstrated the first indication of a relationship between therapist competence and clinical outcome for panic disorder (r=.29-.35); no relationship was found for the CTS-R.

Conclusions: These findings provide initial support for the reliability and validity of the CTCP for assessing therapist competence in CBT for panic disorder and support the use of anxiety disorder-specific competence measures. Further investigation into the psychometric properties of the measure in other therapist cohorts and its relationship with clinical outcomes is recommended.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBehavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 6 Jul 2020

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