Early Detection And Cognitive Therapy For People At High Risk Of Developing Psychosis - A Treatment Approach

Written with clinicians in mind, this book demonstrates the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy with individuals who are at risk of developing psychosis. Divided into three parts, the book opens with the background to the clinical trial including the rationale for the early intervention strategy, assessment strategies to identify "at risk" groups, and a review of prevention strategies. In Part II the focus is on the application of cognitive therapy for this group. Part III examines strategies for change, as well as specific issues including social isolation and relapse prevention.

Paul French is co-ordinator of a specialist clinical team based at Bolton, Salford & Trafford Mental Health Trust offering cognitive interventions for people who are considered at high risk of developing psychosis. He has worked in mental health since 1989 and has always been interested in the provision of services for people with psychosis having worked in a variety of inpatient and community settings. More recently, he has developed a research interest in working with people at high risk of developing psychosis.Hehas published a number of articles relating to early psychosis and particularly the provision of psychological interventions in early psychosis.

Anthony P. Morrison is a reader in psychology at the University of Manchester and is also programme co-ordinator for a specialist programme of care for people with early psychosis in Bolton, Salford & Trafford Mental Health Trust. He has published a number of articles on cognitive therapy for psychosis and experimental studies of cognitive processes in psychosis. He has been involved in a number of treatment trials for cognitive therapy for psychosis and has a special interest in the cognitive theory of and therapy for hearing voices. More recently, he has developed a research interest in working with people at high risk of developing psychosis and the links between trauma and psychosis. He was awarded the May Davidson Award 2002 for his contributions to clinical psychology.

List of Figures and Appendices.

About the Authors.

Foreword by Max Birchwood.

Introduction.

Acknowledgements.

Part I: BACKGROUND.

1. The Importance of Early Recognition.

2. How to Identify At-Risk Groups.

3. Which Prevention Strategy to Adopt.

Part II: COGNITIVE THERAPY FOR PREVENTION OF PSYCHOSIS.

4. Why Cognitive Therapy?

5. Engagement.

6. Theory, Assessment and Formulation.

Part III: CHANGE STRATEGIES.

7. Normalisation.

8. Generating and Evaluating Alternative Explanations.

9. Safety Behaviours.

10. Metacognitive Beliefs.

11. ‘I Am Different’ and Other Core Beliefs.

12. Social Isolation.

13. Relapse Prevention.

14. Conclusions.

Appendices.

References.

Index.