Psychotherapy Of The Psychoses

Group therapy for patients with psychotic experiences is one of the least known of the group therapies; it is also one of the most diverse. This collection presents a range of methods, models and settings for group therapy for psychoses, as well as exploring the context for this type of treatment. Group Therapy for Psychoses offers an international perspective on the current range of practice in the field, in multiple care situations, contexts and institutions; from acute units to therapeutic communities, rehabilitation groups, self-help, and groups of those who hear voices. Presented in two parts, the first covers the history, evaluation and research methodologies of group therapy, while the second explores specific examples of groups and settings. The book tackles misconceptions about the treatment of psychoses and emphasises the healing effects of group therapy. It underscores the importance of training for selecting and conducting groups of patients suffering from psychoses and suggests possible formats, approaches and perspectives. The book’s wide, reflexive and practical collection of chapters together demonstrate how group therapies can effectively help patients with psychotic experiences to overcome their difficulties on their way to recovery. The book will be of great use to clinicians working with people suffering from psychosis, including psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, psychologists, physicians and social workers. It will also appeal to group analysts, family therapists and CBT practitioners, as well as to all researchers in these fields.

In this innovative book, master clinician Michael Garrett shows how to weave together cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy to support the recovery of persons suffering from psychosis. This integrated framework builds on the strengths of both methods to achieve lasting gains, even for patients with severe, chronic mental illness. The therapist is guided to use CBT to help the patient recognize the literal falsity of delusions, while employing psychodynamic strategies to explore the figurative truth and personal meaning of psychotic symptoms. Extended case presentations and numerous clinical vignettes illustrate Garrett’s compassionate, empowering approach. Winner (Second Place)--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Category

Art, Psychotherapy and Psychosis reveals the unique role of art therapy in the treatment of psychosis. Illustrating their contributions with clinical material and artwork created by clients, experienced practitioners describe their work in a variety of settings. Writing from different theoretical standpoints they reflect the current creative diversity within the profession and its links with psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, analytical psychology and psychiatry. In part I specific issues involved in working with psychosis are explored. These include discussion of the therapeutic relationship, the process of symbolisation, the nature and meaning of art made by psychotic patients and the interplay between words and pictures. Part II recounts the history of art therapy and psychosis, tracing its origins in art, to its present-day role as a respected treatment in psychiatric, community and therapeutic settings. Art, Psychotherapy and Psychosis extends the existing theory, develops analytical approaches in art psychotherapy and offers innovative perspectives for students and practitioners on the treatment of borderline states as well as psychosis.

This volume, in presenting a collection of observations and experiments with the psychotherapy of psychotics, is a vivid demonstration of the prodigious soaring of the modern analytic movement. This predominance of human over mechanical conceptions of madness is a deep source of rejoicing. It testifies to the supremacy of the spirit and of love in this modern world where it sometimes seems the robot with a heart of steel is becoming the master of the universe. It is the most dehumanized of beings who, being alienated from others and from himself and so most estranged from the human condition, has made us recover a new humanism.

John Casson - Winner of the British Psychodrama Association (BPA) Lifetime Achievement Award 2012! Drama, Psychotherapy and Psychosis explores the use of drama and theatre in the challenging area of working with people who hear voices, focusing especially on survivors of abuse and those diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia. In examining the often baffling and frightening world of psychosis the book offers alternative models of madness and the self, which form the basis for therapeutic interventions. Illustrated by case histories and examples of practice, this book provides a description and analysis of voice hearing. Chapters cover areas including: * historical perspectives on psychosis and hearing voices * group psychodrama * dramatherapy with individuals. Drama, Psychotherapy and Psychosis demonstrates how creative action methods can be helpful to those who hear voices. It provides guidelines for good practice; essential to all those interested in promoting the safe use of these methods in therapy.

For those struggling with experiences of psychosis, therapy can be beneficial and even life changing. However, there is no single type of therapy, and a great range and diversity of therapeutic approaches have been developed to help different individuals’ needs, which makes deciding which approach is most helpful for an individual not a straightforward choice. Personal Experiences of Psychological Therapy for Psychosis and Related Experiences uniquely presents personal accounts of those who have received therapy for psychosis alongside professional clinical commentary on these therapies, giving multiple perspectives on what they involve and how they work. Presented in a clear and accessible way, each chapter includes accounts of a variety of different therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma-focused therapy, open dialogue, and systemic family therapy. The reader is encouraged to explore not only the clinical basis for these therapies but also understand what the treatments mean for the person experiencing them, as well as their challenges and limitations. The book also explores the importance of the individual’s relationship with the therapist. As a whole, the perspectives presented here provide unique insight into a range of widely used psychological therapies for psychosis. With its special combination of personal experiences and concise introductions to different therapies, this book offers a valuable resource for academics and students of psychiatry, clinical psychology, psychotherapy, mental health care and mental health nursing. It will also be essential reading for those considering treatment, their friends and families, as well as mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and nurses.

Can biological and psychological interventions be integrated in the treatment of psychosis? Throughout the world, access to psychotherapeutic and psychosocial treatments for the psychoses varies significantly, with many people diagnosed with psychotic disorders receiving only medication as treatment. Psychotherapies for the Psychoses considers ways that this gap can be bridged through theoretical, cultural and clinical integration. The theme of integration offers possibilities for trainees and experienced mental health professionals from diverse orientations and cultural perspectives to strengthen alliances for tackling the gap in availability of treatments. In this volume contributors discuss: Theoretical integration across the psychological therapies for psychoses Global perspectives on psychosocial approaches for psychoses Integrating psychotherapeutic thinking and practice into 'real world' settings. Psychotherapies for the Psychoses explores different approaches from a variety of theoretical perspectives, providing significant encouragement for mental health practitioners to broaden the range of humane psychotherapeutic possibilities for people suffering from the effects of psychosis.

The Recovery of the Self in Psychosis details specific therapeutic approaches as well as considers how treatments can be individually tailored and adapted to help persons whose mental health challenges may be either mild or more severe. By focusing on basic elements of the experiences of persons diagnosed with psychosis and exploring the broader meanings these experiences have, each of these treatments offers distinctive ways to help persons define and manage their own recovery. The book includes measurable therapeutic processes, an empirically supported conceptual basis for understanding disturbances in self-experience and rich descriptions of the recovery process. The Recovery of the Self in Psychosis moves beyond approaches which dictate what health is to persons with psychosis through education. It will be essential reading for all clinical psychologists and psychotherapists working with people diagnosed with psychosis.