Clinical Round Table 18 - Necessary Adaptations of CBT for Disabled People

The primary goals of this clinical roundtable are to discuss necessary adaptations to CBT for different types of disabled people. Research has recently begun to include disabled people as a cultural identity to be incorporated in therapy. Unfortunately, this research often approaches disability as a singular experience rather than a varied one depending on the diagnosis, context, institutional setting, and supports available. The heterogeneity of the disabled population means that CBT for Autism Spectrum Disorder is very different than for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome as these populations have different strengths and needs. Negotiating these differences is key to effective implementation of CBT so as not to invalidate the client’s experience, damage the therapeutic relationship, and to increase multicultural responsiveness; all of which may result in premature drop out of treatment. The majority of therapists delivering CBT are nondisabled resulting in a cross-cultural relationship when working with disabled people. A contribution of this panel is that all of the authors are disabled and can provide unique insights as community members and practitioners. The panelists will discuss several adaptations to CBT unique to disabled people, given the heterogeneous nature of the disabled population. Panelists will discuss neurodivergent affirming therapy, spoon theory as a way to discuss pacing within disability culture, affirming practice with people who have ME/CFS and/or Long COVID, and CBT in carceral settings with disabled people. The panel will be tied together through its use of Disability Affirmative Therapy developed by Rhoda Olkin, a cross-disability conceptualization framework that can easily be integrated into CBT. Panelists will discuss future clinical and research directions in adapting CBT for disabled people.