The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders: Preliminary Exploration of Effectiveness for Group Delivery
Abstract
The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) has demonstrated promising results among patients with heterogeneous anxiety and comorbid depressive disorders when delivered on an individual basis, but greater efficiencies may be achieved with group-based applications. The aim of the present study was to provide a preliminary exploration of the UP when delivered in a group format. Among diagnostically diverse patients (N = 11), the UP group treatment resulted in moderate to strong effects on anxiety and depressive symptoms, functional impairment, quality of life, and emotion regulation skills, as well as good acceptability and overall satisfaction ratings from patients. Three clinical cases are presented in detail to illustrate the group-based UP delivery, followed by a critical discussion of associated challenges and proposed guidelines for group administration, as well as directions for future research.
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Both of these transdiagnostic group interventions are substantially longer than the TCC, using twelve 2-hour sessions.
“Both are substantially longer than the TCC (i.e., twelve 2‐hr sessions).”
From Experiences of a transdiagnostic group, the <scp>T</scp>ake <scp>C</scp>ontrol <scp>C</scp>ourse, for clients with common mental health problems: A qualitative study (2018) · cites this paper as Bullis et al., 2015
A flexible delivery style is not explicitly described as an aspect of the Unified Protocol or transdiagnostic CBT anxiety groups.
“A flexible delivery style is not explicitly described as an aspect of the Unified Protocol or transdiagnostic CBT anxiety groups, and without more detailed qualitative data, it is difficult to ascertain whether participants felt groups were sufficiently adapted to their individual needs.”
From Experiences of a transdiagnostic group, the <scp>T</scp>ake <scp>C</scp>ontrol <scp>C</scp>ourse, for clients with common mental health problems: A qualitative study (2018) · cites this paper as Bullis et al., 2015
Within the preliminary study of group Unified Protocol, some participants expressed finding it helpful hearing the experiences of others.
“For example, within the preliminary study of group Unified Protocol (Bullis et al., 2015), some participants expressed finding it helpful hearing the experiences of others.”
From Experiences of a transdiagnostic group, the <scp>T</scp>ake <scp>C</scp>ontrol <scp>C</scp>ourse, for clients with common mental health problems: A qualitative study (2018) · cites this paper as Bullis et al., 2015
Although the studies of Unified Protocol and transdiagnostic group CBT offered more sessions than the TCC, a number of participants were reported to request additional treatment following the groups.
“Similarly, although the aforedescribed studies of Unified Protocol and transdiagnostic group CBT offered more sessions than the TCC, a number of participants were reported to request additional treatment following the groups (Bullis et al., 2015; Norton & Hope, 2008).”
From Experiences of a transdiagnostic group, the <scp>T</scp>ake <scp>C</scp>ontrol <scp>C</scp>ourse, for clients with common mental health problems: A qualitative study (2018) · cites this paper as Bullis et al., 2015
Within the preliminary study of group Unified Protocol, participants were reported as generally expressing that the diagnostic heterogeneity of the group was positive, with one participant saying they would value more targeted advice.
“Within the preliminary study of group Unified Protocol (Bullis et al., 2015), participants were reported as generally expressing that the diagnostic heterogeneity of the group was positive, with one participant saying they would value more targeted advice.”
From Experiences of a transdiagnostic group, the <scp>T</scp>ake <scp>C</scp>ontrol <scp>C</scp>ourse, for clients with common mental health problems: A qualitative study (2018) · cites this paper as Bullis et al., 2015
Both of these transdiagnostic group interventions demonstrate differences from the TCC, such as using techniques that challenge distorted thinking.
“Both of these transdiagnostic group interventions demonstrate differences from the TCC, such as using techniques that challenge distorted thinking.”
From Experiences of a transdiagnostic group, the <scp>T</scp>ake <scp>C</scp>ontrol <scp>C</scp>ourse, for clients with common mental health problems: A qualitative study (2018) · cites this paper as Bullis et al., 2015
Two studies provide some qualitative data focusing on group Unified Protocol and transdiagnostic group CBT for anxiety disorders.
“However, there are two studies that provide some qualitative data (e.g., case studies and quotes from participants), which focus on group Unified Protocol (Bullis et al., 2015) and transdiagnostic group CBT for anxiety disorders (Norton & Hope, 2008).”
From Experiences of a transdiagnostic group, the <scp>T</scp>ake <scp>C</scp>ontrol <scp>C</scp>ourse, for clients with common mental health problems: A qualitative study (2018) · cites this paper as Bullis et al., 2015
Such themes or descriptions were not apparent in qualitative and case study data regarding group Unified Protocol and transdiagnostic anxiety CBT.
“Such themes or descriptions were not apparent in qualitative and case study data regarding group Unified Protocol and transdiagnostic anxiety CBT (Bullis et al., 2015; Norton & Hope, 2008).”
From Experiences of a transdiagnostic group, the <scp>T</scp>ake <scp>C</scp>ontrol <scp>C</scp>ourse, for clients with common mental health problems: A qualitative study (2018) · cites this paper as Bullis et al., 2015
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- Authors
- Bullis, J. R., Sauer-Zavala, S., Bentley, K. H., Thompson-Hollands, J., Carl, J. R., & Barlow, D. H.
- Affiliations
- Boston University (US)
- Boston University, MA, USA
- Venue
- Behavior Modification
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-10-14
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 295-321
- ISSN
- 0145-4455 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-4167
- OpenAlex
- W2102282321
- Cited by
- 161
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 20.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Behavior Modification (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders, transdiagnostic treatment, group therapy, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, comorbidities, emotion regulation, functional disability, quality of life, treatment acceptability
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorder, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychotherapy, Group, Quality of Life, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Patient Satisfaction, Young Adult
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