Targeting dissociation using cognitive behavioural therapy in voice hearers with psychosis and a history of interpersonal trauma: A case series.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have suggested that dissociation might represent an important mechanism in the maintenance of auditory verbal hallucinations (i.e., voices) in people who have a history of traumatic life experiences. This study investigated whether a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention for psychosis augmented with techniques specifically targeting dissociative symptoms could improve both dissociation and auditory hallucination severity in a sample of voice hearers with psychosis and a history of interpersonal trauma (e.g., exposure to sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse). DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: A total of 19 service users with psychosis were offered up to 24 therapy sessions over a 6-month intervention window. Participants were assessed four times over a 12-month period using measures of dissociation, psychotic symptoms severity, and additional secondary mental-health and recovery measures. RESULTS: Sixteen participants engaged in the intervention and were included in last-observation-carried-forward analyses. Dropout rates were in line with those of other CBT for psychosis trials (26.3%). Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed large and significant improvements in dissociation (drm  = 1.23) and hallucination severity (drm  = 1.09) by the end of treatment; treatment gains were maintained 6 months following the end of therapy. Large and statistically significant gains were also observed on measures of post-traumatic symptoms, delusion severity, emotional distress, and perceived recovery from psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this case series suggest that the reduction of dissociation represents a valuable and acceptable treatment target for clients with auditory verbal hallucinations and a trauma history. Future clinical trials might benefit from considering targeting dissociative experiences as part of psychological interventions for distressing voices. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Practitioners should consider the role of dissociation when assessing and formulating the difficulties of voice hearers with a history of trauma. Techniques to reduce dissociation can be feasibly integrated within psychological interventions for voices. Voice hearers with histories of trauma can benefit from psychological interventions aimed at reducing dissociation.

Is Seeing Believing? The Process of Change During Cognitive-behavioural Therapy for Distressing Visual Hallucinations.

UNLABELLED: People with psychosis often report distressing visual hallucinations (VH). In contrast to auditory hallucinations, there is little empirical evidence on effective interventions. The effectiveness of a novel-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention for VH was explored using a multiple baseline single case design with four participants. Change to individual appraisals, emotional and behavioural responses to VH were measured with daily diaries kept throughout the baseline and intervention phase lasting up to 16 sessions. Maintenance of change was tracked during a follow-up period of one month. Changes in appraisals, distress and response in accordance with the theory was evident in two out of four of the cases. However, change occurred within the baseline phase that limited the conclusions that change could be attributed to CBT alone. There was some evidence of clinically significant change and reliable change for two out of four of the cases at follow-up on one of the standardized psychiatric assessments. The research reported here has theoretical and clinical implications for refinement of the model and interventions for distressing VH. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: Distressing visual hallucinations (VH) are a relatively common symptom of psychosis. Visual hallucinations seem to be associated with greater impairment and disability. We have no specific treatment for VH. The appraisal of the visual experience and the behavioural response is important in maintaining the distress. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for VH at present has limited value.

Patient Factors that Impact upon Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis: Therapists' Perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials have established that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in helping people with psychosis, though there is enormous variability in outcome. It is not clear what patient factors contribute to good outcomes. In fact, most studies considering client factors have excluded people with psychosis. It is clinicians who are deciding who is likely to benefit from CBT for psychosis (CBTp), though little is understood in terms of their views on who benefits from CBTp. AIMS: This study investigated clinicians' views on client characteristics that influence outcome in CBTp. METHOD: A Q-set of 61 client characteristics was developed from a literature search and interviews with clinicians experienced in working with CBT and/or psychosis. Twenty-one participants (familiar with psychosis and CBT through education, profession, practice or knowledge) rated the items based on their importance in effecting a positive outcome, on a forced normal distribution. RESULTS: 21 completed Q-sorts yielded four factors, named as: acceptance and application of the cognitive model; attending to the present; secure base; meaningful active collaboration. CONCLUSIONS: Items regarding therapeutic alliance were highly endorsed throughout all factors. Some empirically-based items were not endorsed, although overall, clinician responses were consistent with prior research.