ABSTRACT
The success of cognitive therapy for both psychotic symptoms and mood-related symptoms suggests that this approach may be uniquely suitable for preventing transition to psychosis. The improved ability to accurately define high-risk groups achieved by the work of Yung and her colleagues has led researchers to attempt prevention with atypical neuroleptic medication. One of the fundamental principles of CBT is that therapy should be based on a cognitive model. The model provides an account of psychosis that is acceptable to clients, is easily understood, and yet allows for a detailed cognitive exploration of symptom development. The therapist should therefore make appointments at a location that is easily accessible, such as a GP surgery. This makes this approach somewhat different from many of the interventions tested in CBT trials, which use manuals to very specifically define the symptom profile to be treated and the interventions to be utilised.
