Psychological Therapies for Schizophrenia: CBT

What are 3 psychological therapies for schizophrenia?

1. Cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp)

2. Family therapy

3. Token Economies

What is cognitive behavioural therapy?

A combination of cognitive therapy (way of changing maladaptive thoughts and beliefs) and behavioural therapy (way of changing behaviour in response to these thoughts and beliefs)

What is the main aim of CBTp?

Helps patients to identify irrational thoughts and challenge them by reality testing

What is reality testing?

Correcting a patients faulty interpretations of the world that leads to delusions

How is CBTp delivered?

Can be delivered in groups or 1-2-1 sessions and patient normally has to be commit to at least 16 sessions

What framework does CBTp make use of?

Ellis’ ABCDE model

How does the ABCDE model work?

Identify activating events (A) which trigger irrational beliefs (B) and cause emotional and behavioural consequences (C). The beliefs can disputed (D) and changed leading to an effect (E) which is the restructed belief

What is normalisation?

Therapist shares with patient that many people have unusual experiences making them feel less isolated by making the patient feel less alienated and stigmatised which makes the possibly of recovery seem more likely

What behavioural assignments can be set during CBTp?

Tasks to improve general level of functioning - shower every day, go out and socialise with friends