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.
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 language | English |
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Journal | Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy |
Publication status | Accepted/In press - 6 Jul 2020 |