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The practice and research of cognitive behavioural therapy in Egypt: a review of the current status

Part of: Being an Anti-Racist CBT therapist

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 April 2020

Reham Aly ,
Hisham Ramy  and
Shanaya Rathod
Reham Aly*
Affiliation:
Mental Health Secretariat, Ministry of Health, Cairo, Egypt
Hisham Ramy
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Shanaya Rathod
Affiliation:
Research Department, Tom Rudd Unit, Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, UK
*
*Corresponding author. Email: rehamaaly@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is generally defined as a short-term, problem-oriented psychotherapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional emotions, thoughts and actions. In clinical practice, CBT consists of a number of cognitive and behavioural techniques that aim to help patients suffering from psychological disorders. The practice of CBT is well established in Western countries. In non-Western countries, CBT is still in the process of being established as the evidence-based psychotherapy. Despite being the heart of the Arab world, the development and practice of psychotherapy in Egypt in general, and CBT specifically, is still emerging. The training and practice of CBT has received a mixed response in Egypt. In practical settings, evidence-based CBT is subject to individual and cultural variations and adaptations. Many local studies examining the efficacy of CBT in psychiatric disorders among different population groups in Egypt have been conducted. Unfortunately, many of these studies have not been published and therefore have missed the opportunity for international recognition. The current review aims to explore the practice of CBT with a specific focus on national research of efficacy and adaptability of CBT for different populations in Egypt.

Key learning aims

  1. (1) Current status of the practice and education of CBT in Egypt.

  2. (2) Body of research conducted on CBT in Egypt.

  3. (3) Needs and recommendations for further development of CBT provision in Egypt.

Keywords

Arabbehavior/behaviorcognitiveEgyptpsychologypsychotherapistpsychotherapy
Type
Review Paper
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 13 , 2020 , e6
Copyright
© British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2020

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References

Further reading

Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders. New York: International Universities Press.Google Scholar
Egyptian Knowledge Bank. See: www.ekb.eg/Google Scholar
Rathod, S., Phiri, P., & Naeem, N. (2019). An evidence-based framework to culturally adapt cognitive behaviour therapy. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 12.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

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