Implementing Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) in a Forensic Psychiatric Context

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBTp) is an evidence-based treatment approach for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders. CBTp helps individuals normalize their experience of psychotic symptoms, improve insight and coping, and learn to reduce distress by recognizing and managing those symptoms. The adaptation of CBTp to forensic contexts can lead to a significant benefit in the effective treatment of forensic patients, including those who experience symptoms resistant to antipsychotic medications. Effective treatment, in turn, is associated with improved recovery outcomes and a reduced risk for recidivism. In this chapter, we describe the implementation of group CBTp treatment in our forensic psychiatry program. This chapter reviews our experience delivering this intervention under the following subsections: overview of the literature on CBTp, adapting CBTp for forensic patients, implementation of the group program, preliminary outcomes, and summary and recommendations.