The Evolution of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Schizophrenia

Current Practice and Recent Developments

Tai, Sara
Turkington, Douglas

²School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Coupland Building, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
³School of Neurology, Neurobiology and Psychiatry, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

¹To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: +44 (0) 161 2752595, fax: +44 (0) 161 2752588, e-mail: [email protected].

Schizophrenia Bulletin 35(5):p 865-873, September 2009.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) evolved from behavioral theory and developed to focus more on cognitive models that incorporated reappraisal of thinking errors and schema change strategies. This article will describe the key elements of CBT for schizophrenia and the current evidence of its efficacy and effectiveness. We conclude with a description of recent concepts that extend the theoretical basis of practice and expand the range of CBT strategies for use in schizophrenia. Mindfulness, meta-cognitive approaches, compassionate mind training, and method of levels are postulated as useful adjuncts for CBT with psychotic patients.