Cognitive Therapy for Personality Disorders

“The third edition of Davidson’s Cognitive Therapy for Personality Disorders is simply essential reading for psychotherapists working with people with personality development issues. It is wise, informed and readable - refreshingly free of jargon and true to its cognitive therapy roots. This is a sophisticated guide founded on psychological principles and cognitive empiricism.

As a reference text it is excellent. Davidson places her model and approach within a historical context enabling the reader to appreciate the well-established theory underlying it. Then she presents a clear delineation of contemporary PD theory and psychological management approaches.

As a treatment manual it is comprehensive and clear, outlining a well-defined therapy structure that can be adapted to patient need, whist retaining therapeutic rigour. Clinical vignettes bring it alive and add to its clarity. The two personality presentations that are the focus of this work are those commonly associated with childhood trauma and so there is much in the book that will inform those working with survivors of developmental adversity and in that respect, it has a pan-diagnostic reach.

But Davidson has given us more than a reference book and therapy guide, it is a model of good practice. It leads with an empathic therapeutic relationship and a phased approach that recognises patient needs and strengths. Therapy is clearly formulation driven, but in Davidson’s approach the narrative formulation is especially relatable and engaging. In sum, this a much needed, well-reasoned, well-defined text, which will leave the reader feeling in safe hands.”

Helen Kennerley, D.Phil, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre, UK

“When I saw this book, my first thought was “It’s about time”. I have been using previous editions for over 20 years, steering my clinical work and teaching clinicians that personality disorders can be treated effectively in a reasonable time frame. And now we have an up-to-date version, showing how developments in the field have been incorporated into Kate Davidson’s already-excellent approach to cognitive therapy for eating disorders. This edition maintains the key values of this approach – keeping to CBT without losing focus, even in the face of complexity; an effective alliance; stressing the importance of behavioural change alongside the cognitive and emotional; treating the patient as an individual, monitoring and responding to progress; and so much more. Clinical experience and examples underpin this work, culminating in two extended cases to illustrate the approach. So, this book is going to join its predecessors on my bookshelf, informing my teaching, clinical work and research. That should see me through another 20 years.”

Professor Glenn Waller, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Warwick, UK