Clever Grades

🎧 Read Aloud

PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPIES

Therapeutic Modalities

Purpose of Therapy

Psychological therapies complement drug treatment to address symptoms and improve functioning. We will examine Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Family Therapy as core interventions for managing schizophrenia.

CBT: Key Steps

CBT aims to help patients manage symptoms that don’t fully respond to medication, especially persistent hallucinations and delusions.

1

Assessment & Formulation

The therapist works with the patient to identify problematic thoughts and beliefs linked to symptoms.
2

Reality Testing

Encourages patients to evaluate the evidence for and against their delusions and hallucinations.
3

Coping Strategies

Use distraction, mindfulness, or relaxation to manage distress from voices.
4

Behavioural Experiments

Testing beliefs in real-life situations to challenge negative thoughts.

CBT: Advantages & Limitations

✅
Effectiveness & Advantages Meta-analyses show CBT can reduce the severity of positive symptoms and improve overall functioning. It is non-invasive, empowers patients, and can improve medication adherence.
❌
Limitations Requires motivation and insight, which may be difficult during acute psychosis.

Family Therapy: Components

Family Therapy involves the patient’s family and aims to reduce expressed emotion (EE), improve communication, and provide psychoeducation.

1

Psychoeducation

Educating family about schizophrenia, its symptoms, and medication.
2

Skill Development

Developing skills to manage stress and communicate effectively.
3

Emotional Support

Providing emotional support for both patient and family members.

Therapy Goals Achieved

Family therapy targets specific measurable outcomes related to stability and family dynamics.

✓

Reduced Relapse Rates

Studies show family therapy decreases relapse rates and hospital admissions when combined with medication.
✓

Lower Family Stress (EE)

Goals include reducing family stress by lowering expressed emotion.
✓

Improved Cohesion

Improving family cohesion and reducing conflicts.

Key Terminology

🧠

Reality Testing

Evaluating evidence for or against delusions.
♻️

Cognitive Restructuring

Developing alternative, less distressing explanations for experiences.
🗣️

Expressed Emotion (EE)

Family attitudes (criticism, hostility) linked to patient relapse.
📚

Psychoeducation

Teaching patient/family about the condition.

Integrating Care

💡

Holistic Approach: Combining CBT and family therapy with medication offers a more holistic approach, addressing both the biological and psychosocial aspects of schizophrenia.

CBT & Family Therapy in Schizophrenia
Term
Main Goal of CBT for Schizophrenia

What is the main goal of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia?

Answer
Goal

To help patients manage persistent symptoms like hallucinations and delusions that don’t fully respond to medication.

Term
CBT Techniques

Name two techniques used in CBT for schizophrenia.

Answer
Techniques

Reality testing and cognitive restructuring.

Term
Family Therapy Focus

What does family therapy focus on in schizophrenia treatment?

Answer
Focus

Reducing expressed emotion (EE), improving communication, and providing psychoeducation.

Term
Benefits of Family Therapy

How does family therapy help in schizophrenia?

Answer
Benefits

It reduces relapse rates, lowers family stress, and improves family cohesion.

Term
Advantage of Combining Therapies

What is a key advantage of combining CBT and family therapy with medication?

Answer
Advantage

It provides a holistic approach addressing both biological and psychosocial aspects of schizophrenia.

Term
Limitation of CBT in Acute Psychosis

What is a limitation of CBT during acute psychosis?

Answer
Limitation

It requires patient motivation and insight, which can be difficult during acute episodes.

Term
Coping Strategies in CBT

What are coping strategies in CBT?

Answer
Strategies

Techniques like distraction, mindfulness, and relaxation to manage distress from voices.

Tip: Tap a card to flip. Shuffle or Reset anytime.

🧠 CBT & Schizophrenia Quiz

1. What is the primary aim of CBT for schizophrenia?

CBT targets symptoms that don’t fully respond to medication, helping patients cope.

2. Which of the following is a technique used in CBT for schizophrenia?

Cognitive restructuring helps patients develop less distressing explanations for their experiences.

3. Family therapy aims to reduce:

Reducing family stress and improving communication lowers relapse rates.

4. What is a limitation of CBT in schizophrenia treatment?

Lack of insight or motivation during acute episodes can reduce CBT effectiveness.

5. Combining CBT and family therapy with medication results in:

This combination addresses both biological and psychosocial factors.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Psychology
  • AS & A Level
  • Gender
  • AQA