Adapting individual psychotherapy for adults with intellectual disabilities: A comparative review of the cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic literature

Background Historically, adults with intellectual disabilities have had little access to individual psychotherapy. Over the last 20 years an increasing body of literature has described psychotherapy with this client group and reported methods for adapting traditional psychotherapeutic techniques. Method The current review identified the frequency of adaptations suggested by Hurley et al. (1998) [Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, vol. 10, pp. 365-386] within cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic studies with adults with intellectual disabilities. Twenty-five studies were reviewed, 10 cognitive-behavioural and 15 psychodynamic. Developmental and Physical Disabilities total of 94 adaptations were identified. Within cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) studies, flexibility in method was the most frequently considered adaptation whilst transference and countertransference issues were most frequently considered within psychodynamic studies. Across the two approaches, disability and rehabilitation issues were given the least consideration. Results Implications for practitioners and services are highlighted along with recommendations for future research.