CBT for Psychosis: An Individualized, Recovery Oriented Approach

CE Hours 6

About this course

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for psychosis is an evidence-based method to reduce distress and disability related to psychotic experiences, and to support a possible full recovery. Psychotic experiences are conceptualized as being understandable in relationship to an individual's life story, and capable of being altered when people experiment with different ways of thinking and behaving. Learn how to collaborate with people having these experiences, “exploring the evidence" rather than imposing beliefs, and developing coping options so people are not forced to rely entirely on the often limited effectiveness of medication to address problems. The course starts by examining the nature of psychosis and CBT, providing a foundation for understanding how CBT can be helpful. Then the basic style of CBT for psychosis is introduced, followed by an introduction to two of the most important techniques. Finally, applications of CBT are explored for some of the main problem areas, such as hearing distressing voices, paranoia, delusional beliefs, disorganization, and negative symptoms. Included in the course are video lectures, slides with some diagrams, video demonstrations of CBT for psychosis being practiced, and links to additional resources for further study. CBT for psychosis uses a minimal amount of jargon, and the concepts and practices tend to be easily understandable.

Learning Objectives

Describe how CBT for psychosis can be individualized, taking into account an individual's life story and experiences, fostering a personalized recovery-oriented approach
Utilize a collaborative style to engage in guided discovery of solutions to distressing psychosis-related problems
Identify ways to normalize psychotic experiences by seeing them as understandable in relationship to an individual’s life story, and capable of being altered by changes in thinking and behavior
Create formulations that promote hope and provide direction for treatment and recovery
Identify applications of CBT for psychosis in addressing specific problem areas, including hearing distressing voices, paranoia, delusional beliefs, disorganization, and negative symptoms

Learning Levels

Beginner
Intermediate

Course Instructor(s)

Ron Unger, MSW

Ron Unger works as a therapist, and as a therapy supervisor at the Center for Family Development and in private practice in Eugene Oregon. For the past 20 years he has also worked as an educator, providing seminars on CBT for psychosis and related topics across the United States and internationally. He served as the chair of the education committee for ISPS-US for over a decade and currently serves as the chair of the Pacific NW Branch of ISPS-US..

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

Kingdon, D. G., & Turkington, D. (2005). Cognitive therapy of schizophrenia. New York: Guilford Press.
Morrison, A. P. (2004). Cognitive therapy for psychosis : a formulation-based approach. Hove [England]. New York: Brunner-Routledge.
Louise, S., Fitzpatrick, M., Strauss, C., Rossell, S. L., & Thomas, N. (2018). Mindfulness-and acceptance-based interventions for psychosis: Our current understanding and a meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Research, 192, 57-63.
Mason, L., Peters, E., Williams, S. C., & Kumari, V. (2017). Brain connectivity changes occurring following cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis predict long-term recovery. Translational psychiatry, 7(1), e1001-e1001.
Cupitt, C. (2019). CBT for psychosis : process-orientated therapies and the third wave. London ; New York, Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group.
Morrison, A. P. (2017). "A manualised treatment protocol to guide delivery of evidence-based cognitive therapy for people with distressing psychosis: learning from clinical trials." Psychosis: 9(3), 271-281.
Brabban, A., R. Byrne, E. Longden and A. P. Morrison (2017). "The importance of human relationships, ethics and recovery-orientated values in the delivery of CBT for people with psychosis." Psychosis 9(2): 157-166.
Sitko, K., Bewick, B. M., Owens, D., & Masterson, C. (2020). Meta-analysis and Meta-regression of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) Across Time: The Effectiveness of CBTp has Improved for Delusions. Schizophrenia Bulletin Open, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/schizbullopen/sgaa023
Spencer, H. M., Dudley, R., Freeston, M. H., & Turkington, D. (2020). What are the essential ingredients of a CBT case conceptualization for voices and delusions in schizophrenia spectrum disorders? A study of expert consensus. Schizophrenia Research, 224, 74-81.
Turner, D. T., Burger, S., Smit, F., Valmaggia, L. R., & van der Gaag, M. (2020). What constitutes sufficient evidence for case formulation–driven CBT for psychosis? Cumulative meta-analysis of the effect on hallucinations and delusions. Schizophrenia bulletin, 46(5), 1072-1085.