Using the Five Areas cognitive–behavioural therapy model with psychiatric patients

Abstract
In the first article in this series (Williams & Garland, 2002) we encouraged readers to try out elements of the Five Areas model of cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) with some patients. Before we further discuss the model it might be of value to reflect on your experiences. If you did try, was it successful? Did it teach you anything about your clinical skills and the patients' problems? Can you build on this experience and use the Five Areas model more widely in your practice? If you did not try this out, why not? Were you prevented by internal factors (too busy, could not see the patient, thought you could not do it) or problems beyond your control (the patient failed to turn up)? How can you overcome these obstacles?