Psychological Therapies: CBT

Question 1

Identify and change irrational thoughts

Answer 1

The aims of CBT in general are to help clients identify irrational thoughts (e.g. delusions and hallucinations) and try to change them

5-20 sessions, individually or in a group

Question 2

CBT helps clients to understand their symptoms

Answer 2

Clients are helped to make sense of how their delusions and hallucinations impact on their feelings and behaviour

For example, a client may hear voices and believe they are demons so they will be very afraid

Normalisation involves explaining to the client that hearing voices is an ordinary experience

Question 3

Case example

Answer 3

Turkington et al. (2004) treated a paranoid client who believed the Mafia were plotting to kill him

The therapist acknowledged the client’s anxiety, and explained that there were other, less frightening possibilities and gently challenged the client’s evidence for his belief