Increasing Access to CBT for Psychosis: Development, Feasibility, and Acceptability of a Specialized Outpatient Service

Despite the increasing demand for cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp), the existing literature is lacking in terms of models for sustainable implementation. The aims of this study were to: (a) describe the development of a specialized CBTp Service; (b) report demographic characteristics and referral patterns over 1 year to examine feasibility; and (c) review feedback from participants in group-based CBTp to examine acceptability. Data were analyzed from 126 referrals (M = 35.52, SD = 13.06, 59.5% men) to an outpatient CBTp Service at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Toronto, Ontario) between January 2019 to January 2020. Anonymous feedback was obtained from 54 individuals who completed group-based CBTp. Positive symptoms and distressing emotions were the main reasons for referral. Over half of eligible referrals scheduled an intake assessment and 70% of individuals who completed this assessment attended further treatment. Primary reasons for service refusal were scheduling conflicts and illness-related barriers. The total service wait-time was two months, with the longest delay between dates of referral and initial contact. Satisfaction with the quality of CBTp and its components was rated high among group members. Although variable wait-times and engagement levels were identified across stages of the referral process, the CBTp Service demonstrates preliminary feasibility and acceptability, and provides a model of service delivery to incorporate within future CBTp implementation efforts in Canada.