Today the importance of early detection and intervention for psychosis is clearly recognized by researchers, clinicians and policy makers alike. Ethical dilemmas associated with preventative approaches have led to the development of a range of psychological interventions that are likely to be more acceptable to service users and their families.

Working with People at High Risk of Developing Psychosisis unique in that it focuses on the needs of those in the pre-psychotic phase of the illness and the specific challenges that working with this ‘at risk’ group poses for the clinician. An international team of expert editors and contributors explore the identification of individuals at high risk of developing psychosis and provide an overview of many of the psychological treatment approaches. Key issues addressed include:

• detection strategies for finding cases at high-risk
• assessment and formulation
• selection of appropriate treatment targets
• intervention with attenuated symptoms and brief psychotic episodes
• stress management
• substance use
• working with families
• group therapy

This practical treatment handbook will be an invaluable resource for all qualified and trainee clinicians working with ‘at risk’ clients. It will also be of interest to academic psychologists and students of clinical psychology.

"I suspect that, like me, readers interested in developing programs to address individuals at high risk of developing psychosis will find this volume helpful and provocative." (Psychiatric Services, May 2008)

A timely overview of new psychological interventions in this exciting and emerging field, Working with People at High Risk of Developing Psychosis: A Treatment Handbook presents the most up-to-date progress in the identification of individuals who are at ultra high risk of developing a psychotic illness. The book focuses on a range of psychological interventions that are currently being developed, tested, and used in order to alleviate these early symptoms and attempt to delay or even prevent the onset of a psychotic illness. Even for those who will not go on to develop an illness, such interventions are helpful in the alleviation of their presenting symptoms. This practical treatment handbook addresses a wide range of issues presented by "at risk" clients. Specific chapters, written by experts in that particular area, cover stress management, co-morbidity, substance misuse, family work and group therapy.

About the Editors.

List of Contributors.

Foreword.

Acknowledgements.

Chapter 1: Introduction (Shôn Lewis).

Chapter 2: Identification of the Population (Alison R. Yung).

Chapter 3: Assessment and Developing a Formulation (Shona M. Francey and Henry J. Jackson).

Chapter 4: Engagement and the Therapeutic Alliance (Jean Addington and David Penn).

Chapter 5: Assessing and Managing Stress (Lisa Phillips).

Chapter 6: Treatment Targets in the Pre-psychotic Phase (Paul Patterson, Amanda Skeate and Max Birchwood).

Chapter 7: Substance Use and the ‘At Risk’ Period (Steven Leicester).

Chapter 8: Addressing Attenuated Symptoms in ‘At Risk’ Clients (Samantha E. Bowe, Paul French and Anthony P. Morrison).

Chapter 9: Brief Limited Intermittent Psychotic Symptoms (BLIPS): A Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Formulation and Intervention (Andrew I. Gumley).

Chapter 10: Working with Families Following the Diagnosis of an At Risk Mental State (April A. Collins and Jean Addington).

Chapter 11: Group Therapy for People at High Risk of Developing Psychosis (Andreas Bechdolf, Verena Veith and Joachim Klosterkötter).

Chapter 12: Future Challenges (Anthony P. Morrison, Shona M. Francey and Jean Addington).

Index.