Cognitive behavior therapy for psychosis (CBTp) is a structured psychotherapeutic intervention developed to help individuals with psychotic spectrum disorders effectively manage their symptoms (Morrison et al., 2012). A substantial body of research supports the effectiveness of CBT‑p as an adjunct to medication management. Meta-analyses show small to moderate improvements in positive symptoms, particularly delusions and hallucinations, while effects on negative symptoms and overall functioning are less robust but still promising (Berendsen et al., 2024; Wykes et al., 2008). CBT‑p has also been applied in early intervention programs for individuals at clinical high risk of psychosis, where it appears to reduce the risk of transition to full psychotic symptoms and helps to alleviate distressing sub-threshold symptoms (Zheng et al., 2022).
In public service settings, CBT‑p has important implications. Its structured format allows for training frontline clinicians in community mental health teamsmaking it feasible to implement in both inpatient and outpatient settings (Morrison et al., 2012). Overall, CBT‑p is an evidence-based intervention that can complement pharmacological treatment. Its integration into public mental health services offers opportunities to enhance early intervention and promote psychosocial recovery.
References
Zheng, Y., Xu, T., Zhu, Y., Li, C., Wang, J., Livingstone, S., & Zhang, T. (2022). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Prodromal Stage of Psychosis-Outcomes for Transition, Functioning, Distress, and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Schizophrenia bulletin, 48(1), 8–19. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbab044opens in new window
Morrison, A. P., Hutton, P., Wardle, M., Spencer, H., Barratt, S., Brabban, A., Callcott, P., Christodoulides, T., Dudley, R., French, P., Lumley, V., Tai, S. J., & Turkington, D. (2012). Cognitive therapy for people with a schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis not taking antipsychotic medication: an exploratory trial. Psychological medicine, 42(5), 1049–1056. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291711001899opens in new window
Berendsen, S., Berendse, S., van der Torren, J., Vermeulen, J., & de Haan, L. (2024). Cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. EClinicalMedicine, 67, 102392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102392opens in new window
Wykes, T., Steel, C., Everitt, B., & Tarrier, N. (2008). Cognitive behavior therapy for schizophrenia: effect sizes, clinical models, and methodological rigor. Schizophrenia bulletin, 34(3), 523–537. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbm114opens in new window