Personal Experiences of Psychological Therapy for Psychosis and Related Experiences

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.

Peter Taylor is a clinical psychologist and lecturer in clinical psychology at the University of Manchester, UK. His research includes a focus on interventions and therapy for those with experiences of psychosis as well as better understanding the causes of self-harm and suicide. Olympia Gianfrancesco is an 'expert by experience' in psychosis, and has given talks about her experiences at conferences and on university courses. During her PhD, she researched the interaction between genes and environment in the context of psychosis. Olympia now works as a researcher in genetics at the University of Edinburgh, UK. Naomi Fisher is a lecturer of mental health at the University of Lancaster, UK. Her research focuses on better understanding and reducing mental distress, and involves working closely alongside those affected by mental health difficulties in order to co-develop ways to promote mental health and wellbeing.

Acknowledgements; Brief Biographies of All Contributors; Chapter 1: Introduction to the Book, Peter Taylor and Olympia Gianfrancesco; Chapter 2: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Yarburgh and Peter Taylor; Chapter 3: Systemic Family Therapy, Zara Zaks and Pekka Borchers; Chapter 4: Care Co-ordination, Junaid Sarwar, Siobhain Koch and James Kelly; Chapter 5; Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT), Alex and Claire Seddon; Chapter 6: Trauma-Focused Therapy using cognitive-behavioural and EMDR approaches, Rebecca, Joanna Ward-Brown and David Keane; Chapter 7: Psychodynamic Therapy, Paul-Newell Reaves and Alison Summers; Chapter 8: Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Mystic Leaf and Jon Crossely; Chapter 9: Open Dialogue, Nick Hayes and Niklas Granö; Chapter 10: Person-Centred Therapy, Jules Haley and Peter Chatalos; Chapter 11: The Relationship with the Therapist, Annie Blake, Amanda Larkin and Peter Taylor; Chapter 12: Conclusion, Peter Taylor and Naomi Fisher.