Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which is used by mental health professionals including occupational therapists (OT) is a time-sensitive, structured, present-oriented therapy directed toward solving current problems and teaching clients skills to modify dysfunctional thinking and behavior.

Supporting the development of CBT theory and efficient use by mental health professionals are vital.

To present the results of CBT training for OTs, which was funded by “European Union technical assistance for increasing the employability of people with disabilities” project (Europe Aid/136449/IH/SER/TR).

Using a basic CBT theoretical framework the participants attended 96hour face to face training modules with written materials including fundamental features, preconditions and methods used in CBT. A Turkish CBT book was published for course. Participants trained their skills under supervision and send the results to educators. Pre-post of training CBT knowledge and quality of training (plan-contents, educators, and environment) were evaluated by 5-Likert scale.

Thirty OTs (f=23, m=7) mostly 43.3% PhD; 20–25 (30%) and 45–50 (26.7%)years age period were included. Total mean score for quality of education was 109.4±29.4 with 23.63±4.34, 47.36±6.41, 38.40±21.61 for plan-contents, educators, and environment subscores, respectively. CBT knowledge was increased from 15.70±6.08 to 45.06±4.59 (P<0.001).

Training increased CBT awareness and practice skills of OTs. Teaching OTs CBT may increase their understanding of person-environment-occupation approach, psychological problem solving, occupational engagement and participation of individuals. Our result supports that mental health professionals should collaborate to share ideas, develop guidelines and promote good practice examples in client-centered and holistic rehabilitation care.