Imagery-based Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder and Mood Instability

People with bipolar disorder are particularly vulnerable to anxiety and intrusive mental imagery, which can contribute to mood swings and a heightened risk for relapse. This book presents a novel brief treatment that focuses on working with mental images to reduce distress and enhance mood stability. Grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy, the book provides therapists with tested techniques for formulating individualized treatment targets, using metacognitive strategies to reduce the power of images, rescripting problematic images, and building adaptive positive images. User-friendly instructions for assessment and intervention include case examples, sample scripts, and troubleshooting tips. In a large-size format for easy photocopying, the book includes 19 reproducible handouts and session agendas. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials.

Emily A. Holmes, DClinPsy, PhD, is Professor of Psychology in the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. She is also Visiting Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, and Honorary Scientist in the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge. Dr. Holmes is an associate editor of Behaviour Research and Therapy. Her research and extensive publications focus on mental imagery and emotional biases across psychological disorders. She is a recipient of the May Davidson Award from the British Psychological Society, the Comenius Early Career Award from the European Federation of Psychologists' Associations, and the Award for Distinguished Early Career Scientific Contribution to Psychology from the American Psychological Association, among other honors.

Susie A. Hales, DClinPsy, is Research Tutor and Clinical Psychologist at the Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. Her research focuses on mental imagery processes and treatment innovation for mood disorders. Dr. Hales has published papers on psychological aspects of bipolar disorder and suicidality, and on novel ways of delivering cognitive therapy. She is active in the supervision and training of mental health professionals in a range of research and clinical competencies.

Kerry Young, DipClinPsy, is Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead of the Woodfield Trauma Service in London, United Kingdom. She is also Honorary Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at University College London and a clinician at the Oxford Rose Clinic. Dr. Young is an expert in mental imagery techniques, particularly imagery rescripting and its use with clients who have experienced complex trauma. She has published in the area of trauma and mental imagery.

Martina Di Simplicio, MD, PhD, is Clinical Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry at the Centre for Psychiatry, Imperial College London, United Kingdom, and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist in the West London Mental Health Trust. Her research focuses on understanding the cognitive mechanisms that underlie psychopathology and that drive successful treatment of mental disorders. Dr. Di Simplicio investigates the role of mental imagery in regulating emotions, with the aim of developing innovative digital interventions for young people who experience mood instability and self-harm. She has published on emotion processing, neuroimaging, psychopharmacology, and mental imagery.