Providing psychosocial intervention: the role of non-medical practitioners

Author/s
John Butler
Citation
Issue 1 Summer 2011
CEPiP.2011.1.78-84
Abstract

It is recognised and accepted that psychological and social approaches have much to offer in the management and treatment of serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, complementing psycho-pharmacological treatment. Psychosocial Intervention (PSI) refers to an approach that includes individual, family and group work, provided alongside the psycho-pharmacological treatment of psychotic illnesses. More specifically, whilst acknowledging the core principles of systematic assessment, care coordination, assertive outreach and early intervention in psychosis, PSI may best be considered an umbrella term that refers to the use of a structured, collaborative, cognitive-behaviourally orientated approach to working with service-users and families, which incorporates a number of important therapeutic components: engagement and outcome-orientated assessment; psycho-education; psychological approaches to managing symptoms, such as stress management, coping strategy enhancement, structured problem-solving and cognitive-behavioural intervention; medication adherence strategies; and, structured relapse prevention planning.

Cite as: Cutting Edge Psychiatry in Practice 2011, 1(1):78-84; https://doi.org/10.65031/qgof2551

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