CBT Model and Overview of Core Components of CBT for BDD

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the first-line psychological treatment for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and is directly translated from integrative research findings on the neurobiological, psychological, and environmental contributions to BDD. This book chapter reviews the core principles of the cognitive behavioral model of BDD and provides pragmatic considerations when applying the treatment model. Through a case example, we highlight how primary treatment strategies, such as motivational enhancement, psychoeducation and case conceptualization, cognitive strategies, exposure and response prevention, mindfulness and perceptual retraining, and relapse prevention, target core patterns of psychopathology in BDD. We also discuss the management of associated clinical features (delusionality, suicidality), concurrent physical treatments, ) and highlight the use of modular intervention strategies to tailor treatment needs. Practical guidance is provided through example language and clinician-patient dialogue. Contemporary cross-sectional, prospective, and experimental research continue to support the comprehensive CBT model for BDD as a robust and empirically validated approach to the treatment of BDD.