Using CBT with adult survivors of human trafficking with Francesca Brady and Rachel Witkin

In this episode, Steph Curnow speaks with Fran Brady and Rachel Witkin about their paper, A phased approach for using CBT with adult survivors of human trafficking, published in The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist.  The discussion explores why the paper was developed, highlighting the significant gaps in access to mental health care for survivors of human trafficking and the risks when trafficking experiences go unrecognised in clinical settings. Fran and Rachel emphasise that trafficking is often hidden in plain sight and more common than many realise, with survivors frequently remaining vulnerable to further exploitation. The authors outline a three-phase model of care, focusing on establishing safety, remembrance and supporting reconnection and recovery. They also stress the importance of building trust through approaches such as bridging referrals, and reflect on the emotional impact of this work, highlighting the need for strong support systems for clinicians. Resources: Read the full paper here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-cognitive-behaviour-therapist/article/phased-approach-for-using-cbt-with-adult-survivors-of-human-trafficking/C9701086F9429323A91EF058E640B40B Brady, F., Gratton, J., Witkin, R., & Walsh, E. (2025). A phased approach for using CBT with adult survivors of human trafficking. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 18, e57. doi:10.1017/S1754470X25100329 Witkin, R., & Robjant, K. (2022). The Trauma-Informed Code of Conduct for All Professionals Working with Survivors of Trafficking and Slavery. Fran's co-authored paper on experience of trust in trafficking can be found here Explore more from the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist Stay Connected: Find our sister podcasts and all our other episodes in our podcast hub here: Have feedback? Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram & Bluesky: @BABCPpodcasts If you found this episode helpful, please rate, review and subscribe so more people can discover these important conversations. Credits: Music is Autmn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF