Personal Experiences of Psychological Therapy for Psychosis and Related Experiences: Introduction to a new book (ISPS Book Series, Meet the Author Session)

Psychological or talking therapies increasingly have a place in helping those who are struggling with experiences of psychosis. However, the wide variety of therapies available, and the uncertainty about what a particular... [ view full abstract ]

Psychological or talking therapies increasingly have a place in helping those who are struggling with experiences of psychosis. However, the wide variety of therapies available, and the uncertainty about what a particular therapy involves can make the decision to seek therapy for personal experiences of psychosis a complex and difficult one. With any step into the unknown or uncertain, it often helps to find out more of the experiences of other who have already walked these paths. With this in mind we decided to put together a book focusing on individuals personal experiences of psychological therapy for psychosis. The book contrasts first-person accounts of therapy with outlines of the different therapies written by the clinicians who practice these approaches.

The proposed symposium aims to provide an introduction to the upcoming book, but to also encourage a wider discussion around the related issues of choice and decision making when it comes to psychological therapy for psychosis.

The symposium will start with an introduction to the book by editors Peter Taylor and Olympia Gianfrancesco, a discussion of the origins of the idea, and what the book will cover. This will be followed with two chapter authors to the book in turn reflecting on their decision to write the chapter and how they decided what to cover and focus upon. The chapter authors will be asked consider the broader question about making an informed choice about therapy, whether first-hand accounts are helpful here, and how this has informed their writing. A wider discussion, chaired by the editors, will then be facilitated, allowing audience participation, on this topic. Authors will include Junaid Sarwar, writing on his experiences of care co-ordination, Jules Haley, writing on her experiences of person-centred therapy, and Claire Seddon, who is providing a practitioner perspective on Cognitive Analytic Therapy.