Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy: A Descriptive Review (2000 to July 2016)

Abstract

Background: TheBehavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy(BCP) Journal is the main academic publication of theBritish Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. It publishes empirical studies, reviews and theoretical papers, brief reports and single cases.Aim: To describe the main areas of interest and focus in BCP papers.Method: All the papers published in BCP from 2000 to July 2016 were analysed. A categorization procedure was followed with 813 contributions in six main areas: main author country; main author gender; kind of contribution; kind of therapeutic approaches; kind of samples; kind of focus/topic.Results: Although the journal's scope is international, first authors tend to come from English-speaking countries. Since 2009, females contribute more than males. Empirical studies surpass theoretical studies and reviews, while the main therapy denomination is cognitive behavioural therapy. Variability of samples is wide, and ranges from analogues to main disorders. Finally, the main focus of papers is to study change and psychopathology, therapists’ training and improvement of CBT.Conclusion: Given the total number of categorized papers, it can be tentatively assumed that they could exemplify some main areas of interest and evolvement in the cognitive and behavioural field.