Interventions for Schizophrenia

This step-by-step manual presents a flexible, five-module intervention programme to help clients with schizophrenia understand their illness, recognise, monitor and cope with their symptoms and reduce the impact of the illness on their lives. Using a broadly psychoeducational approach, this book draws on recent advances in the psychological understanding and management of schizophrenia, such as cognitive-behavioural techniques, to enable people with schizophrenia to cope with specific symptoms such as auditory hallucinations. The detailed individual session guides include session plans, handouts and education material. This book also includes a full description of the range of available assessment tools, their administration and interpretation. Such assessments are useful in monitoring individual change and in assessing treatment effectiveness. Aimed at mental health professionals, including clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, social workers and occupational therapists, the programme can be used with individuals or small groups in a variety of settings, such as secure hospitals, general psychiatric hospitals, hostels, group homes, day centres and the client's own home. As approximately one person in a hundred is likely to receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia in their lifetime, this practical photocopiable manual is a valuable resource for anyone working with this client group.