Coping Skills Training in Individuals with an Intellectual Disability

The mental health and well-being of individuals with an intellectual disability (ID) have received scant empirical attention until the past 20 years. This chapter provides an overview of therapy approaches that have been evaluated for children, adolescents, and adults with an ID, including cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. A critical analysis of contemporary research evaluating the effectiveness of these treatments for a range of mental health issues is presented, together with a description of how the content and process of therapy can be appropriately tailored to meet the needs of clients with an ID. Core principles for adapting therapy are also illustrated with a case example. The chapter concludes with recommendations for future research to improve the quality and accessibility of mental health services to this underserved population.