TY - JOUR

T1 - Cognitive Analytic Therapy for Psychosis

T2 - A Case Series

AU - Taylor, Peter

AU - Fisher, Naomi Ruth

AU - Hutton, Paul

AU - Tan, Ranil

AU - Focone, Chiara

AU - Seddon, Claire

AU - Griffith, Dianne

PY - 2019/9/1

Y1 - 2019/9/1

N2 - ObjectivesCognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT ) is an effective psychological intervention for several different mental health conditions. However, whether it is acceptable, safe, and beneficial for people with psychosis remains unclear, as is the feasibility of providing and evaluating it within a research context. The aim of this study was to begin to address these questions and to obtain for the first time a rich and detailed understanding of the experience of receiving CAT for psychosis.DesignA mixed‐methods case series design.MethodSeven individuals who experienced non‐affective psychosis received CAT . They completed assessments at the start of CAT , 16 weeks, and 28 weeks post‐baseline. Qualitative interviews were completed with four individuals following completion of or withdrawal from therapy.ResultsSix participants attended at least four sessions of therapy and four went on to complete therapy. There were no serious adverse events, and self‐reported adverse experiences were minimal. Qualitative interviews suggested CAT is acceptable and provided a way to understand and work therapeutically with psychosis. There was limited evidence of change in psychotic symptoms, but improvement in perceived recovery and personality integration was observed.ConclusionsThe results suggest that CAT is a safe and acceptable intervention for psychosis. Personality integration, perceived recovery, and functioning are relevant outcomes for future evaluations of CAT for psychosis.

AB - ObjectivesCognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT ) is an effective psychological intervention for several different mental health conditions. However, whether it is acceptable, safe, and beneficial for people with psychosis remains unclear, as is the feasibility of providing and evaluating it within a research context. The aim of this study was to begin to address these questions and to obtain for the first time a rich and detailed understanding of the experience of receiving CAT for psychosis.DesignA mixed‐methods case series design.MethodSeven individuals who experienced non‐affective psychosis received CAT . They completed assessments at the start of CAT , 16 weeks, and 28 weeks post‐baseline. Qualitative interviews were completed with four individuals following completion of or withdrawal from therapy.ResultsSix participants attended at least four sessions of therapy and four went on to complete therapy. There were no serious adverse events, and self‐reported adverse experiences were minimal. Qualitative interviews suggested CAT is acceptable and provided a way to understand and work therapeutically with psychosis. There was limited evidence of change in psychotic symptoms, but improvement in perceived recovery and personality integration was observed.ConclusionsThe results suggest that CAT is a safe and acceptable intervention for psychosis. Personality integration, perceived recovery, and functioning are relevant outcomes for future evaluations of CAT for psychosis.

U2 - 10.1111/papt.12183

DO - 10.1111/papt.12183

M3 - Journal article

VL - 92

SP - 359

EP - 378

JO - Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice

JF - Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice

SN - 1476-0835

IS - 3

ER -