Breadcrumb

null Gail Myhr, MD, CM, M.Sc.

Investigator, RI-MUHC

Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) Program

Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University

 

Keywords

cognitive behavioural therapy • suitability • anxiety • psychosis

Research Focus

My research focuses on the question of what sorts of problems and what personal characteristics can predict those clients who will benefit from short-term CBT. The MUHC CBT Unit has pioneered the systematic use of a specialized assessment tool, the Suitability for Short-Term Cognitive Therapy interview and rating procedure (Safran et al 90), which refines the client selection for short-term CBT in order to ensure a positive experience for CBT clients, maximize resource allocation and enhance training outcomes. Pre-treatment information on such characteristics as age, personality traits, attachment style, emotional avoidance, interpersonal sensitivity, and tendency to somatise have been analyzed to see what predicts good outcome. I have recently initiated a project studying the use of computerized CBT for individuals waiting for our services. Another project involves effects of our training program on the administration of CBT by trainees.

Selected Publications

Click on Pubmed to see my current publications list

  • Bédard M, Russell JJ, Myhr G. Impact of personality psychopathology on outcome in short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy for Axis I disorders. Psychiatry Res. 2015; 230(2):524-30. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.09.049. Epub 2015 Oct 3. PMID: 26456894.

  • Renaud, J., Russell, J.J., Myhr,G. Predicting who benefits most from cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2014; 70(10), 924–932. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22099. Epub 2014 Apr 19. PMID: 24752934.

  • Renaud, J., Russell, J.J., Myhr,G. The association between outcome expectancies and avoidance in predicting the outcome of cognitive-behavioural therapy for major depressive disorder. British Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2013; 42-52. DOI:10.1111/j.2044-8260.2012.02044.x. Epub 2012 Aug 13. PMID: 23398111.

  • Myhr, G., Russell, J.J., Saint-Laurent, M., Tagalakis, V., Belisle, D., Khodary, F.,Faridi, K., Pinard, G. Assessing Suitability for Short-Term Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Psychiatric Outpatients with Psychosis: A Comparison with Depressed and Anxious Outpatients. Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 2013; 29-41. DOI: 10.1097/01.pra.0000426325.49396.4c PMID: 23334677.

  • Payne K., Myhr, G. Increasing Access to Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for the Treatment of Mental Illness in Canada: A Research Framework and Call for Action. Health Care Policy. 2010; 5:e173-e185. PMID: 21286263.