Conceptual Foundations of the Transdiagnostic Approach

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Abstract

This article defines and explains the transdiagnostic approach to cognitive behavioral therapy and elaborates on its conceptual foundations and implications for research and practice. We argue that the approach has good philosophical, historical, pragmatic and empirical foundations. We distinguish between transdiagnostic approaches that are based on multiple processes that are universally applied (e.g. Harvey et al., 2004), multiple processes that are limited in the range of disorders covered (e.g. Fairburn et al., 2003), symptom-based accounts (e.g. Persons, 1986) and universal single process accounts (e.g. experiential avoidance, self-absorption). Existing evidence is summarised and key issues relating to the methodology of future research on the transdiagnostic approach are identified. The article concludes by highlighting the great potential benefits of the approach and highlights the significant practical, political and scientific obstacles to putting it into practice on a large scale.

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