Cognitive Therapy for Delusions in
Schizophrenia: Models, Benefits,
and New Approaches
Corinne Cather
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
David Penn
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill
Michael Otto
Donald C. Goff
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
The main purpose of the review is to demonstrate how cognitive models of psychosis
translate into cognitive-behavioral approaches for intervening with psychotic symptoms
in schizophrenia. Several cognitive-behavioral factors which play a role in the mainte-
nance and possibly formation of delusional beliefs are discussed, including attentional
bias to threat, “data gathering” deficits, dysfunctional metacognition, and safety behav-
iors. Strategies for engagement, problem formulation, and psychoeducation with deluded
patients are described. Cognitive-behavioral interventions are presented, specifically, cog-
nitive restructuring, behavioral experiments, and coping skills training. Challenges to
conducting cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with delusions in schizophrenia are
reviewed. Novel cognitive therapies, which address these challenges, are presented.
Keywords: cognitive behavioral therapy; delusions; schizophrenia
A
dvances in the pharmacologic management of schizophrenia spectrum disorders have
not eliminated the need for new psychosocial strategies. Moreover, research over the
last decade has supported an expanded role for cognitive-behavioral interventions for
psychosis. In particular, cognitive-behavioral approaches have been used for residual psy-
chotic and negative symptoms not adequately managed by medication. In this article, we
present cognitive models of delusional beliefs and examples of interventions. The main pur-
pose of the review is to demonstrate how cognitive models of psychosis translate into cog-
nitive-behavioral interventions for psychosis. Consistent with this purpose, we have
provided brief clinical examples of the processes described by the models reviewed herein.
© 2004 Springer Publishing Company 207
Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: An International Quarterly
Volume 18, Number 3 • 2004