CBT for Psychosis

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based talking therapy that concentrates on how an individual’s thought, behaviors and emotions are connected. By using CBT the individual becomes more aware of their thoughts and behaviors with a strong focus on exploring how these impact their emotions. The “how and now” focus allow for the development of skills to identify and address unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. Historically, psychosocial interventions were long overlooked as a treatment for psychosis while medication management and institutions were the main form of treatment. During my 20 years working in the mental health field, CBTp was the first therapeutic intervention that was introduced to me when working with individual who experience psychosis. CBTp was initially developed as an individual treatment, and later as a group-based intervention, to reduce the distress associated with the symptoms of psychosis and improve functioning. The CBTp training will provide a learning environment to gain a deeper understanding of the structure of cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis, along with therapeutic techniques to work with thought disorder, negative symptoms, delusions, and hallucinations. Our staff has extensive experience working with individuals who experience psychosis, applying CBTp and training peers on building the foundation in their practice to apply CBTp principles in practice.