Working with People at High Risk of Developing Psychosis: A Treatment Handbook - Tapa blanda

A timely overview of new psychological interventions in this exciting and emerging field, Working with People at High Risk of Developing Psychosis: A Treatment Handbook presents the most up-to-date progress in the identification of individuals who are at ultra high risk of developing a psychotic illness. The book focuses on a range of psychological interventions that are currently being developed, tested, and used in order to alleviate these early symptoms and attempt to delay or even prevent the onset of a psychotic illness. Even for those who will not go on to develop an illness, such interventions are helpful in the alleviation of their presenting symptoms. This practical treatment handbook addresses a wide range of issues presented by "at risk" clients. Specific chapters, written by experts in that particular area, cover stress management, co-morbidity, substance misuse, family work and group therapy.

Today the importance of early detection and intervention for psychosis is clearly recognized by researchers, clinicians and policy makers alike. Ethical dilemmas associated with preventative approaches have led to the development of a range of psychological interventions that are likely to be more acceptable to service users and their families.

Working with People at High Risk of Developing Psychosis is unique in that it focuses on the needs of those in the pre-psychotic phase of the illness and the specific challenges that working with this ‘at risk’ group poses for the clinician. An international team of expert editors and contributors explore the identification of individuals at high risk of developing psychosis and provide an overview of many of the psychological treatment approaches. Key issues addressed include:

• detection strategies for finding cases at high-risk
• assessment and formulation
• selection of appropriate treatment targets
• intervention with attenuated symptoms and brief psychotic episodes
• stress management
• substance use
• working with families
• group therapy

This practical treatment handbook will be an invaluable resource for all qualified and trainee clinicians working with ‘at risk’ clients. It will also be of interest to academic psychologists and students of clinical psychology.