This book draws on clinical research findings from the last three decades to offer a review of current psychological theories and therapeutic approaches to understanding and treating auditory hallucinations addressing key methodological issues that need to be considered in evaluating voice hearing interventions.
This book draws on clinical research findings from the last three decades to offer a review of current psychological theories and therapeutic approaches to understanding and treating auditory hallucinations, addressing key methodological issues that need to be considered in evaluating interventions.
Mark Hayward, Clara Strauss and Simon McCarthy-Jones present a historical narrative on lessons learnt, the evolution of evidence bases, and an agenda for the future. The text also provides a critique of varying therapeutic techniques, enabling practice and treatment decisions to be grounded in a balanced view of differing approaches. Chapters cover topics including:
behavioural and coping approaches
cognitive models of voice hearing
the role of self-esteem and identity
acceptance-based and mindfulness approaches
interpersonal theory.
Psychological Approaches to Understanding and Treating Auditory Hallucinations brings together and evaluates diffuse literature in an accessible and objective manner, making it a valuable resource for clinical researchers and postgraduate students. It will also be of significant interest to academic and clinical psychologists working within the field of psychotic experiences.
'I strongly recommend this book to researchers and practitioners interested in psychological approaches to distressing voices. The book describes key themes coming out of various psychological traditions and analyses the similarities and differences between them. In each chapter, the state-of-the-art is presented and gaps in our current knowledge are identified. Emphasis is put on the methodological issues that need to be considered in evaluating psychotherapeutic interventions. Thus, suggestions for future research are provided with the aim of developing more effective interventions for distressed voice-hearers. ...the book makes an excellent synthesis of "where we are now and where we are going". It helps to reflect critically on our current knowledge and opens many tracks for future research.' - Professor Lony Schiltz, Head of Research Unit in Clinical Psychology, Hôpital Kirchberg, Luxembourg, in Psychosis, 2015
