Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Special Education and School Psychology

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral interventions (CBIs) attempt to affect behavior change by teaching relevant tasks that are based around strategies to correct cognitive distortions through the application of logic and the search for evidence. Goals are clearly specified; decisions are made on how to best meet specified goals and how to measure progress toward goals to provide feedback. The intervention is task-oriented and focused on problem-solving. This article provides a brief review of the theoretical tenets of CBIs and use with children and adolescents. A review of the literature describes the efficacy and practical implementation of CBIs in school settings. An interdisciplinary collaborative framework is discussed to better support the implementation of school-based mental health programming in schools.


Share and Cite:

Banks, T. , Squires, G. and Anhalt, K. (2014) Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Cognitive Behavioral Interventions in Special Education and School Psychology. Creative Education, 5, 758-768. doi: 10.4236/ce.2014.510089.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1] Abelson, H. S., & Taylor, L. (2000). Shaping the Future of Mental Health in Schools. Psychology in the Schools, 37, 49-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1520-6807(200001)37:1<49::AID-PITS6>3.0.CO;2-0
[2] Ager, C. L., & Cole, C. L. (1991). A Review of Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Behavioral Disorders. Behavioral Disorders, 16, 276-287.
[3] Aggett, P., Boyd, E., & Fletcher, J. (2006). Developing a Tier 1 CAMHS Foundation Course: Report on a 4-Year Initiative. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 11, 319-333.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359104506064981
[4] Asarnow, J. R., & Callan, J. W. (1985). Boys with Peer Adjustment Problems: Social Cognitive Processes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53, 80-87.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.53.1.80
[5] Baer, R. A., & Nietzel, M. T. (1991). Cognitive and Behavioral Treatment of Impulsivity in Children: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Outcome Literature. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 20, 400-412. http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp2004_9
[6] Banks, T. (2008). Teaching a Cognitive Behavioral Strategy to Manage Emotion: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in an Urban Education Setting. VDM Verlag Dr. Muller Aktiengesellschaft & Co. KG.
[7] Banks, T. (2011). Helping Students Manage Feelings: REBT as a Mental Health Educational Curriculum. Educational Psychology in Practice, 27, 383-394. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02667363.2011.624303
[8] Banks, T. (2012). Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy with Diverse Student Populations: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of All Students. Multicultural Learning and Teaching, 7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/2161-2412.1154
[9] Banks, T., & Zionts, P. (2008). REBT Used with Children and Adolescents Who Have Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Classroom Settings: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavior Therapy, 27, 51- 65.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10942-008-0081-x
[10] Banks, T., & Zionts, P. (2009). Teaching a Cognitive Behavioral Strategy to Manage Emotions: REBT in an Educational Setting. Intervention in School & Clinic, 44, 307-313. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1053451208330893
[11] Barrett, P. (1996). FRIENDS for Life. Bowen Hills: Australian Academic Press.
[12] Beck, A. T., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive Therapy of Anxiety and Phobic Disorders. Philadelphia: Center for Cognitive Therapy.
[13] Beck, A. T., Emery, G., & Greenberg, R. (1985). Anxiety Disorders and Phobias: A Cognitive Perspective. New York: Basic Books Inc.
[14] Beck, A. T., Freeman, E., & Associates (1990). Cognitive Therapy of Personality Disorders. London: The Guilford Press.
[15] Beck, A. T., Rush, A., Shaw, B., & Emery, G. (1979). Cognitive Therapy of Depression. New York: The Guilford Press.
[16] Bernard, M. E. (1990). Rational-Emotive Therapy with Children and Adolescents: Treatment Strategies. School Psychology Review, 19, 294-303.
[17] Bird, A. (2006). We Need to Talk: The Case for Psychological Therapy on the NHS. London: The Mental Health Foundation.
[18] Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2000). Handbook of Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
[19] Department for Children, Schools and Families, & Department of Health (2009). Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures. The Strategy for Children and Young People’s Health. London: Central Office of Information for the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
[20] Department for Education and Skills (2007). Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning… Improving Behaviour… Improving Learning. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20081117141643/standards.dfes.gov.uk/
primary/publications/banda/seal/
[21] Department of Health (2004). CAMHS Standard, National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services: The Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being of Children and Young People. London: DoH Publications.
[22] DiGiuseppe, R. (1990). Rational-Emotive Assessment of School-Aged Children. School Psychology Review, 19, 287-293.
[23] DiGiuseppe, R., & Bernard, M. E. (1990). The Application of Rational-Emotive Theory and Therapy to School-Aged Children. School Psychology Review, 19, 268-287.
[24] Doll, B., & Cummings, J. A. (2008). Best Practices in Population-Based School Mental Health Services. In A. Thomas, & J. Grimes (Eds.), Best Practices in School Psychology V (pp. 1333-1347). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.
[25] Dryden, W., DiGiuseppe, R., & Neenan, M. (2003). A Primer on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Research Press.
[26] DuPaul, G. J., & Eckert, T. L. (1997). The Effects of School-Based Interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. School Psychology Review, 26, 5-27.
[27] Durlak, J. A., & Wells, A. M. (1997). Primary Prevention Mental Health Programs for Children and Adolescents: A MetaAnalytic Review. American Journal of Community Psychology, 25, 115-152.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1024654026646
[28] Durlak, J. A., & Wells, A. M. (1998). Evaluation of Indicated Preventive Intervention (Secondary Prevention) Mental Health Programs for Children and Adolescents. American Journal of Community Psychology, 26, 775-802.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1022162015815
[29] Ellis, A. (1991). The ABC’s of RET. The Humanist, 51, 19-49.
[30] Ellis, A., & Wilde, J. (2002). Case Studies in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy with Children and Adolescents. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
[31] Etscheidt, S. (1991). Reducing Aggressive Behavior and Increasing Self-Control: A Cognitive-Behavioral Training Program for Behaviorally Disordered Adolescents. Behavioral Disorders, 16, 107-115.
[32] Flanagan, R., Povall, L., Dellino, M., & Bryne, L. (1998). A Comparison of Problem Solving with and without Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to Improve Children’s Social Skills. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 16, 125-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1024986327879
[33] Forness, S. (in Press). Reflections on the Future of CCBD: Behavioral Disorders. Book Submitted for Publication.
[34] Gonzalez, J. E., Nelson, J. R., Gutkin, T. B., Saunders, A., Galloway, A., & Shwery, C. S. (2004). Rational Emotive Therapy with Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 12, 222-235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10634266040120040301
[35] Kassinove, H., Crisci, R., & Tiegerman, S. (1977). Developmental Trends in Rational Thinking: Implications for RationalEmotive, School Mental Health Programs. Journal of Community Psychology, 5, 266-274. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1520-6629(197707)5:3<266::AID-JCOP2290050312>3.0.CO;2-3
[36] Kazdin, A. E. (1991). Effectiveness of Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59, 785-798. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.59.6.785
[37] Kelly, G. A. (1955). The Psychology of Personal Constructs. New York: Norton.
[38] Kendall, P. C. (1993). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies with Youth: Guiding Theory, Current Status, and Emerging Developments. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 235-247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.61.2.235
[39] Kendall, P. C., Reber, M., McLeer, S., Epps, J., & Ronan, K. R. (1990). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Conduct-Disordered Children. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 14, 279-297. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01183997
[40] Kihlstrom, J. F. (1987). The Cognitive Unconscious. Science, 237, 1445-1452. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.3629249
[41] Knaus, W. (2001). Rational Emotive Education. Theory in Practice, 16, 251-255. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00405847709542709
[42] Kusche, C. A., & Greenberg, M. T. (1993). The PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) Curriculum. Deerfield, MA: Channing-Bete Company.
[43] LaConte, M. A., Shaw, D., & Dunn, I. (1993). The Effects of a Rational-Emotive Education Program for High-Risk Middle School Students. Psychology in the Schools, 30, 274-281. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1520-6807(199307)30:3<274::AID-PITS2310300310>3.0.CO;2-R
[44] Langley, A. K., Nadeem, E., Kataoka, S. H., Stein, B. D., & Jaycox, L. H. (2010). Evidence Based Mental Health Programs in Schools: Barriers and Facilitators of Successful Implementation. School Mental Health, 2, 105-113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12310-010-9038-1
[45] Layard, R. (2005). Therapy for All on the NHS. Sainsbury: Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health. http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/pdfs/layard_lecture_scmh_120905.doc
[46] Layard, R. (2008). Child Mental Health: Key to a Healthier Society. Sainsbury: Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.
[47] Layard, R., Clark, D., Knapp, M., & Mayraz, G. (2007). Cost-Benefit Analysis of Psychological Therapy. London: The Centre for Economic Performance.
[48] Lochman, J. E., & Dodge, K. A. (1998). Distorted Perceptions in Dyadic Interactions of Aggressive and Nonaggressive Boys: Effects of Prior Expectations, Context and Boys’ Age. Development and Psychopathology, 10, 495-512. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0954579498001710
[49] Luna, C., & Turner, C. (2001). The Impact of the MCAS: Teachers Talk about High-Stakes Testing. English Journal, 91, 79-87. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/821659
[50] Miller, L. D., Short, C., Garland, J., & Clark, S. (2010). The ABCs of CBT: Evidence-Based Approaches to Child Anxiety in Public School Settings. Journal of Counseling and Development, 88, 432-439.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2010.tb00043.x
[51] Morris, G. B. (1993). A Rational-Emotive Treatment Program with Conduct Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Adolescents. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 11, 123-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01074090
[52] National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2008). Promoting Children’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Primary Education. London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
[53] Peck, A., Albrecht, S., George, C., Mathur, S., Paget, M., Ryan, J. B., White, R., & Baker, D. (2012). Reflections on the Future of Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders: A Response to Colvin, Forness, & Nelson. Behavioral Disorders, 37, 123-125.
[54] Pettitt, B. (2003). Effective Joint Working between Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Schools. London: Department of Health.
[55] Pugh, J. (2010). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in Schools: The Role of Educational Psychology in the Dissemination of Empirically Supported Interventions. Educational Psychology in Practice, 26, 391-399. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02667363.2010.521312
[56] Robins, C. J., & Hayes, A. M. (1993). An Appraisal of Cognitive Therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 205-214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.61.2.205
[57] Robinson, T. R., Smith, S. W., & Miller, M. D. (2002). Effect of a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention on Responses to Anger by Middle School Students with Chronic Behavior Problems. Behavioral Disorders, 27, 256-271.
[58] Rosenbaum, T., McMurray, N. E., & Campbell, I. M. (1991). The Effects of Rational Emotive Education on Locus of Control, Rationality and Anxiety in Primary School Children. Australian Journal of Education, 35, 187-200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000494419103500206
[59] Sanders, T. (2003). Clearing the NCLB Hurdle. American School Board Journal, 190, 26-28.
[60] Sapp, M. (1996). Irrational Beliefs that Can Lead to Academic Failure for African American Middle School Students Who Are Academically at Risk. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 14, 123-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02238186
[61] Shannon, H. D., & Allen, T. H. (1998). The Effectiveness of a REBT Training Program in Increasing the Performance of High School Students in Mathematics. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 16, 197-209. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1024963131417
[62] Silverman, S., & DiGiuseppe, R. (2001). Cognitive-Behavioral Constructs and Children’s Behavioral and Emotional Problems. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 19, 119-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1011183506003
[63] Squires, G. (2002). Changing Thinking and Feeling to Change Behaviour: Cognitive Interventions. Ainsdale: Positive Behaviour Management.
[64] Squires, G. (2010). Countering the Argument that Educational Psychologists Need Specific Training to Use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 15, 279-294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2010.523211
[65] Squires, G., & Caddick, K. (2012). Using Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Intervention in School Settings with Pupils Who Have Externalizing Behavioural Difficulties: An Unexpected Result. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 17, 25-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2012.652423
[66] Squires, G., & Dunsmuir, S. (2011). Embedding Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Training in Practice: Facilitators and Barriers for Trainee Educational Psychologists (TEPs). Educational Psychology in Practice, 27, 117-132. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02667363.2011.567089
[67] Trip, S., Vernon, A., & McMahon, J. (2007). Effectiveness of Rational-Emotive Education: A Quantitative Meta-Analytical Study. Journal of Cognitive & Behavioral Psychotherapies, 7, 81-93.
[68] US Public Health Service (2000). Report of the Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health: A National Action Agenda. Washington DC: Department of Health and Human Services.
[69] Vernon, A. (1989a). Assessment and Treatment of Childhood Problems: Applications of Rational-Emotive Therapy. Counseling and Human Development, 22, 1-12.
[70] Vernon, A. (1989b). Thinking, Feeling, and Behaving: An Emotional Education Curriculum for Children. Champaign, IL: Research Press.
[71] Wilde, J. (1994). The Effects of the Let’s Get Rational Board Game on Rational Thinking, Depression, and Self-Acceptance in Adolescents. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 12, 189-196. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02354596
[72] Zionts, P., Banks, T., & Killu, K. (2013). Teaching Disturbed and Disturbing Students: An Integrative Approach (3rd ed.). Austin: Pro-Ed.

Copyright © 2023 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.