Participants: Open to registered clinical staff with a sound knowledge of working with people with schizophrenia and have some knowledge of cognitive rehabilitation and are committed to using CRT in practice with their clients on going.

Duration: 16 hours, two full days

Course contact:  Linda Ritchie 

Course Facilitators:  Katrina Wallis (RNZOT), Wieteke Idzerda (RNZOT), & Sophie Semite (RNZOT) 

About this course

People diagnosed with mental illness that experience psychosis may also be impacted by cognitive impairment.

Improvements such as in memory and attention have been found with therapies that target these areas.    (Lieberman, 2008).  Recent developments in cognitive rehabilitation have seen an increase in the number of studies claiming success in improved cognitive processes and overall functioning (National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence, 2008)   However, evidence suggests targeting remediation of cognition alone is less effective than an intervention that incorporates adaptive/compensatory interventions and social cognition skills  to support performance in day to day activities. (Harvey et al, 2012; O’Carrol, 2010: McGurk et al, 2007: McGurk et al, 2013)

The Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) programme taught on this course is based on the proof of concept that was run in 2016 at WDHB and the CRT training from Kings College London. It aims to support people to improve thinking skills with the ultimate aim of improving quality of life.

Summary of content

Topics to be covered include:

(a)    CRT research and evidence

(b)   The theoretical background to CRT

(c)    A model for targeting metacognitive thinking skills and how they may relate to everyday living skills

(d)   The core skills needed to for clinicians to use  CRT effectively with service users. 

(e)    Assessment and formulation

(f)    Clinical issues in delivering CRT and therapist competences

(g)   service-related issues (e.g. the practicalities of therapy and how it may be accommodated within services).

Please note: Prior to signing up to attend this course please ensure you have discussed with your manager and gained approval to attend so that appropriate measures are taken to manage staff cover in your absence from your role.