Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training for Improving Social Functioning in People With Schizophrenia

There are 36 weekly group sessions, each session is 2 hours in length, with a half-hour break after the first hour. The intervention integrates CBT and SST techniques and neurocognitive compensatory aids. All participants are asked to identify a goal. The SST components are based, in part, on a pre-packaged SST intervention available from Psychiatric Rehabilitation Consultants. The CBT components are based on techniques developed for CBT in general and techniques developed specifically for patients with schizophrenia. Cognitive therapy is combined with role-play practice of communication skills and problem-solving training.

"There are 36 weekly group sessions, each 2 hours in length, with a half-hour break after the first hour. GFSC has a number of specific goals and interventions, including providing a safe environment where the patient can discuss her/his feelings and concerns; to validate these feelings and concerns; and to provide support and guidance to the client so that she/he can make progress to solving problems or alleviating concerns and worries. Psychotic symptoms and cognition are not directly targeted. Therapists utilize non-specific therapeutic techniques, including providing unconditional positive regard, reflective listening, encouraging, paraphrasing, and summarizing. Therapists do not develop a formulation or teach skills."

The SST components are based, in part, on a pre-packaged SST intervention available from Psychiatric Rehabilitation Consultants. Participants engage in role plays and problem solving.

All participants are asked to identify a personally meaningful goal as soon as possible in therapy. Over the 36 weeks, participants in CBSST learn skills related to goal attainment, while participants in GFSC do not receive skills aimed at goal attainment, but are encouraged to discuss their goals .