This tradition, emanating from social learning theory, concerned with the cognitive structures that govern behaviour, has been particularly helpful in suggesting strategies for changing behaviour by pinpointing and restructuring dysfunctional cognitions.

Elaborate packages of Cognitive Behavioural interventions have been developed to deal with many specific types of both emotional and behavioural problems, including Depression, Anxiety, Conduct problems, symptoms of Psychosis, and EatingDisorders. In the context of a crisis-intervention programme, it will often not be appropriate to deploy the full packages, either to the parent or to the YP. However, using this approach may help to resolve the immediate crisis, after which further work along the same lines could be continued as needed by the CAMHS team.

A social-cognitive framework is also very relevant to the Assessment (see What's the problem?), in terms of identifying ideas that distort either the interpersonal relationships within the family, or the relationship of the family to the community. Interventions in crises might not be aimed at modifying these cognitions, but rather modifying others' expectations and attitudes in relation to such distortions. One aim of cognitive therapy is to prevent the same problems causing a crisis in the future, by helping the YP, the family and the network to recognise early signs that the YP is again becoming overwhelmed by distorted thinking.

See the notebook on Cognitive Behavioural work for basic principles and simple manualized practices that draw on this theoretical model.