The evaluation of brief training on working with autistic people for NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression (NHS TTad) staff

Dagnan, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5709-1586 , Ingham, Barry, Thwaites, Richard, Lewis, Danika, Sunley, Jade and Miller, Paul K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5611-1354 (2025) The evaluation of brief training on working with autistic people for NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression (NHS TTad) staff. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist . Item availability may be restricted.

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Abstract

Purpose: This paper describes the evaluation of a simple service adaptation and associated brief training for NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression (NHS TTad) staff on working with autistic people.

Methodology: A simple question regarding whether clients identified themselves as autistic and an associated data system flag was introduced to an NHS TTad service. A brief training regarding the use of the flag, a brief overview of autism and a consideration of general adaptations that might help autistic people was developed. Core outcomes of confidence and therapy self-efficacy were reported for pre-training, immediately post-training and at three months post-training. At three months follow-up six therapists were interviewed to explore changes in in practice following the training.

Findings: There were significant changes in confidence and therapeutic self-efficacy post-training that were maintained at three-month follow-up. Therapists report several changes to practice that they related to the training.

Originality: This is the first paper to describe and evaluate training for therapists in NHS TTad on working with autistic people.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	1754-470X
Departments:	Institute of Health > Medical Sciences
Additional Information:	Professor Dave Dagnan, PhD, Visiting Professor; Dr Paul K. Miller, PhD, Associate Professor in Social Psychology, both of the Institute of Health at the University of Cumbria, UK.
Depositing User:	Paul Miller
Date Deposited:	03 Jun 2025 09:10
Last Modified:	03 Jun 2025 09:15
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/8855