Predicting Relapse of Depression and Anxiety after Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Many patients with depression and anxiety relapse following clinically effective cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Despite this, little is known regarding relapse risk factors, limiting our ability to predict its occurrence. Improving our ability to predict relapse has potential in improving the targeting of relapse prevention interventions and enhancing the efficiency of psychological services. In this presentation, I will discuss my current PhD research, in which I have applied a range of methodological approaches (network analysis, machine learning, and qualitative methods) in an attempt to address this gap in knowledge. I will discuss the risk factors that we have identified as potential predictors of relapse, what this could mean for relapse prevention in clinical practice, and finally my proposals for what should be the primary focal points of future research in this area.