Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Severe Mental Illness: An Illustrated Guide

Mastering cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for the common, yet
difficult-to-treat aspects of severe mental illness has now been made easier
with Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Severe Mental Illness. A proven, effective
treatment for patients with severe mental illness, CBT is illuminated in an
insightful volume that boasts an abundance of learning exercises, worksheets,
and checklists-plus video demonstrations on DVD that offer an inside look at CBT
methods in use.

This is the only book to present a comprehensive CBT
approach that can be used across the broad range of severe Axis I disorders to
prevent relapse, promote treatment adherence, reduce symptoms, and maintain
treatment gains. The authors, all internationally recognized experts in using
CBT for severe mental illness, provide a host of functional strategies for
treating patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and treatment-refractory
depression. Their easy-to-read guide covers specific symptoms in detail and
promotes practitioners' skill building-including how to design useful
interventions, provide effective psychoeducation, and engage patients in
effective therapeutic relationships. The eighteen videos show CBT in action,
demonstrating such scenarios as tracing origins of paranoia and formulating an
antisuicide plan. Readers seeking to learn or improve their use of CBT for
severe mental illness will Master the key processes of engaging, assessing,
normalizing, educating, and formulating Learn methods to help patients reduce
delusional thinking, cope with hallucinations, and target hopelessness,
suicidality, low energy and interest, and poor self-esteem Prevent relapse in
bipolar disorder through such methods as monitoring symptoms and promoting good
sleep Address interpersonal problems common in patients with severe mental
illness, showing how to build support and cope with dysfunctional or terminated
relationships Help patients become better organized in their thinking and
reduce problems with maintaining concentration Apply CBT procedures to improve
negative symptoms in schizophrenia, such as attention deficit and anhedonia

The book is an ideal companion to the authors' popular introductory text
Learning Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, building on its critically acclaimed
methodology to offer guidelines for effective treatment. Cognitive-Behavior
Therapy for Severe Mental Illness shows how CBT enhances pharmacotherapy and
helps practitioners develop important skills in treating challenging clinical
problems.