Schizophrenia Cognitive Theory, Research, and Therapy

Aaron T. Beck: Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Nursing Centers Consortium!

From Aaron T. Beck and colleagues, this is the definitive work on the cognitive model of schizophrenia and its treatment. The volume integrates cognitive-behavioral and biological knowledge into a comprehensive conceptual framework. It examines the origins, development, and maintenance of key symptom areas: delusions, hallucinations, negative symptoms, and formal thought disorder.

Treatment chapters then offer concrete guidance for addressing each type of symptom, complete with case examples and session outlines. Anyone who treats or studies serious mental illness will find a new level of understanding together with theoretically and empirically grounded clinical techniques.

This textbook will be invaluable to practitioners in a range of settings, including clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and rehabilitation specialists; researchers of severe mental disorders; instructors, graduate students, and residents. It may also serve as a text in graduate-level seminars and clinical practice.

"Synthesizing research on the psychology and biology of schizophrenia, Beck et al. show how a cognitive approach can be used to understand and treat even the most severely ill patient. This book is a masterpiece that challenges conventional thinking and describes one of the most exciting developments in psychiatry today. It is essential reading for all mental health professionals."--Richard Bentall, PhD, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Bangor, UK

"This volume offers a window into the world of an individual with schizophrenia by revealing how disturbed neurobiology can cause normal thought processes to evolve into psychosis. The authors describe how both clinicians and patients can better understand schizophrenia symptoms using CBT--and how the process of doing so can be powerfully therapeutic."--Stephen R. Marder, MD, Professor and Director, Section on Psychosis, Semel Institute, UCLA

"Beck and his colleagues have done it again! This book is simply outstanding. It begins with a very clear and insightful overview of our scientific understanding of the etiology of schizophrenia, offers detailed analyses of the cognitive underpinnings of psychotic symptoms, and then outlines specific approaches for tailoring cognitive techniques to treat these symptoms. Unlike many authors who address schizophrenia treatment, Beck et al. clearly link science with treatment strategies. I plan to use this book as the primary text in my seminars on clinical treatment."--Elaine F. Walker, PhD, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Emory University

Aaron T. Beck, MD, is University Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and the founder of cognitive therapy. He has published more than 20 books and over 540 articles in professional and scientific journals. Dr. Beck is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Albert Lasker Clinical Medical Research Award, the American Psychological Association Lifetime Achievement Award, the American Psychiatric Association Distinguished Service Award, the Robert J. and Claire Pasarow Foundation Award for Research in Neuropsychiatry, and the Institute of Medicine's Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health and Gustav O. Lienhard Award. He is President of The Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research and Honorary President of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Neil A. Rector, PhD, is Director of Research, Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto. He is a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and an editorial board member of several cognitive therapy journals, and conducts research on cognitive mechanisms and cognitive therapy treatments for psychiatric disorders. Dr. Rector has an active clinical practice and is also involved in training and supervision. Neal Stolar, MD-PhD, is a Medical Director and Director of the Cognitive Therapy for the Treatment of Psychosis Special Project at Project Transition in the Philadelphia area; a psychiatric consultant for Creative Health Services and Penn Behavioral Health; a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania\u2019s Psychopathology Research Unit and Schizophrenia Research Center; and in private practice. Dr. Stolar is a Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He has lectured internationally on cognitive therapy of schizophrenia. Paul Grant, PhD, is Director of Schizophrenia Research and a Fellow in the Psychopathology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Grant\u2019s research interests include cognitive psychopathological models of positive and negative symptoms as well as cognitive therapy of schizophrenia. He is the author of several journal articles and book chapters.

1. Overview of Schizophrenia 2. Biological Contributions 3. A Cognitive Conceptualization of Delusions 4. A Cognitive Conceptualization of Auditory Hallucinations 5. A Cognitive Conceptualization of Negative Symptoms 6. A Cognitive Conceptualization of Formal Thought Disorder 7. Assessment 8. Engagement and Fostering the Therapeutic Relationship 9. Cognitive Assessment and Therapy of Delusions 10. Cognitive Assessment and Therapy of Auditory Hallucinations 11. Cognitive Assessment and Therapy of Negative Symptoms 12. Cognitive Assessment and Therapy of Formal Thought Disorder 13. Cognitive Therapy and Pharmacotherapy 14. An Integrative Cognitive Model of Schizophrenia Appendices A. Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) B. Scoring and Interpretation of the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) C. Suggested Outline for Initial Psychological/Psychiatric Evaluation D. Cognitive Assessment of Psychosis Inventory (CAPI) E. Cognitive Triads for Delusional Beliefs F. Cognitive Distortions Seen in Patients with Psychosis G. Cognitive Distortions Specific to Psychosis H. Thought Disorder Rating Scale (THORATS)