Guest Editors:

Amy Blakemore (University of Manchester), Paul Farrand (University of Exeter), Catherine Gallop (University of Exeter and Psychological Professions Network South West) & Patrick Raue (University of Washington)

Although tCBT has published a range of papers on low intensity CBT over the years, we have always been aware that we receive and publish fewer papers on this topic than we would anticipate given the size and passion of the growing low intensity workforce. The success of low intensity CBT is promoting wider implementation within NHS Talking Therapies into physical health settings, across voluntary, community and charitable sectors and targeting other populations such as children and young peoples’ mental health services, and recently at an international scale.

We hope this Special Issue will capture these developments, inspire the workforce and act as a catalyst to a growth in submission both for and beyond the Special Issue.

We are aware that there has often been debate around what is included within the category of ‘low intensity CBT’, with some individuals taking a wider view and some a more specific definition. For the purposes of this special issue, to ensure we can encompass different perspectives, we are defining low intensity CBT as having the following features.

• Based on CBT ‘self-help’ and/or manualised interventions that include worksheets supported by competency trained and supervised individuals
• Drawing on behavioural or cognitive behavioural theory including fourth generation approaches
• Delivered face-to-face, remotely or through an evidence-based/approved computer/digital platform
• Briefer course of intervention determined by patient recovery
• Shorter duration of assessment and support sessions
• Interventions informed by a high-quality evidence-base

We are aware the term low intensity CBT is not used across the world with varied definitions used for those supporting the interventions (e.g. behavioural health support specialist, community health workers, psychological practitioners) but the principle of these roles are consistent with the above features. We welcome submissions from a variety of health care and community organisations or working with a range of populations.

This special issue will focus on:

• Examining the various evidence bases for low intensity CBT
• Adaptations and innovations of low intensity CBT across the lifespan
•  Adaptations across populations with varying characteristics and identities
• Providing clinical guidance papers for areas where there is limited direct research
• Understanding and disseminating best practice in the training, supervision and delivery of low intensity CBT

We are interested in a balanced range of papers (See the website for details of paper types published in tCBT and author instructions (cambridge.org) but potential examples could include:

• Original research
• Empirically grounded clinical guidance paper that provide guidance and examples around an aspect of low intensity CBT, whether this is clinical, case management or clinical supervision or relating to training
• Small N designs that illustrate the processes of change within low intensity CBT
• Review papers
• Innovative service evaluations with generalisable learning across services
• Examples of cultural adaptations of low intensity CBT (whether in training, supervision or clinical delivery)

If you have any queries about this Special Issue, then please email us at journal.office@babcp.com.

Closing date for submissions: 31^st March 2026

All submissions must be through the submission portal: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/cbt.