In this episode of Research Matters, Steph Curnow speaks with Rich Pione, clinical psychologist and co-author of a service evaluation titled A reciprocal consultation model for integrated care: NHS Talking Therapies and substance use services published in The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, part of the journal's special issue on CBT and addictions.

Rich and Steph explore what it looks like when Talking Therapies and substance use services work together, rather than in silos. They discuss why so many people with co-occurring mental health and substance use needs struggle to access the right support, and how a model built around reciprocal consultation and shared working can make a real difference. Rich reflects on what the pilot taught him, what he would do differently, and what he hopes clinicians will take away from the paper.

Links and resources

Read the full paper here

Pione R, Adjovu P, Dolan C. A reciprocal consultation model for integrated care: NHS Talking Therapies and substance use services. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. 2026;19:e16. doi:10.1017/S1754470X25100469

Dame Carol Black's Independent Review of Drug can be found here

Explore more from The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist here

Stay connected:

Find our sister podcasts and all our other episodes in our podcast hub here:

Have feedback? Email us at podcasts@babcp.com

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 Autumn Coffee by Bosnow from Uppbeat

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/bosnow/autumn-coffee

License code: 3F32NRBYH67P5MIF