Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Individuals with Schizophrenia: A Recovery Approach

There is growing evidence that recovery in the presence of schizophrenia is achievable. Taken from the perspective of those experiencing this illness, recovery may or may not involve complete symptom relief and seems to occur in stages involving the restoration of stability, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and a sense of connectedness to the world. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is now a well-established treatment for the positive symptoms of psychosis, and preliminary data suggest that it might be effective in aiding other aspects of recovery. In an effort to facilitate a more systematic approach to psychotherapy for individuals with schizophrenia, we present a framework that integrates specific recovery tasks and CBT techniques that are well suited for achieving them.