Promoting good practice in cognitive-behavioural psychotherapies

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for anxiety and depression were finally launched in December 2004, after much delay. Given that these were such important documents, it is surprising that the launch went almost entirely unnoticed. The technique known to be effective is clearly identified and recommended by NICE. The use of leeches is not advocated in the guidelines, but most practitioners are highly qualified and trained in the use of leeches. The low profile of the NICE was launched because of its delay. The problem lay with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which was urgently reviewing the potential adverse effects of SSRIs. As SSRIs featured prominently in the NICE guidelines, it was important to know what the MHRA recommendations might be. The media were understandably focused on this issue. The NICE guidelines groups did not get to see the MHRA recommendations until the last minute, and everything was launched on the same day. We need to make sure that the implications of the NICE guidelines are properly drawn out for those who are responsible for providing care for people with depression and anxiety, and for the patients that they seek to help. In response to these imperatives, the journal intends to promote and prioritize research relevant to the NICE guidelines and their recommendations.