Symposium III: CBT Around the World
Shanaya Rathod & Peter Phiri
Suzanne So
Dror Ben-Zeev
Peter Phiri
Title: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychosis in the Asian Context
Abstract: Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders account for 9.8% of the total burden of disease in LMICs. The role of the family is all-pervasive in most LMICs. Unfortunately, few families with a loved one with a serious mental illness receive family intervention. Our group conducted a qualitative study to understand the views of patients, carers and healthcare professionals on psychosis followed by application of an empirically validated cultural adaptation framework to an established Psychosis REACH, and assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the culturally-adapted family intervention in a mental health rehabilitation centre in Lahore, Pakistan. We will discuss findings and implications.
Title: CBTp in Hong Kong SAR, China
Abstract: Since the advent of the Early Assessment Service for Young People with Early Psychosis (E.A.S.Y.) >20 years ago in Hong Kong, cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) has become an integral part of the Psychological Intervention Programme for Early Psychosis (P.I.P.E.), a multi-modal psychological intervention protocol for patients with psychosis. This presentation will introduce:
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the usage of CBTp and P.I.P.E. in Hong Kong, as well as considerations for cultural adaptations;
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a new randomized controlled trial that is aimed to test the efficacy of a two-tier psychological intervention (metacognitive training + CBTp) for patients with delusions in Hong Kong
Title: Combining CBT informed digital health and pharmacotherapy to improve mental health outcomes in West Africa
Abstract: In West Africa, healers greatly outnumber trained mental health professionals. People with serious mental illness (SMI) are often seen by healers in “prayer camps” where they may also experience human rights abuses. We developed M&M, a dual-pronged intervention involving a) a CBT-informed smartphone-delivered toolkit designed to expose healers to brief psychosocial interventions and to encourage them to preserve human rights (M-Healer app), and b) a visiting nurse who provides medications to their patients (Mobile Nurse). In the proposed talk I will describe the development and content of the intervention and briefly describe the outcomes of the first field trial of the intervention in a prayer camp in Ghana.
Pan-African Network: A Step Towards the Development of a Pan-African CBT Association (KOLABO)
Abstract: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is recognised globally as an effective mental health intervention but faces accessibility challenges in many African countries due to limited networks and training facilities. The proposed initiative, KOLABO, aims to establish a Pan-African CBT Association to improve resource access and advocate for CBT integration across the continent. This association intends to address the shortage of professionals, adapt CBT to diverse cultures, and enhance collaborations between Western, Global South, and African CBT practitioners. The study will use a cross-sectional survey targeting approximately 1,000 CBT therapists worldwide to gather insights on the feasibility and impact of this initiative. The mixed-methods approach aims to advance understanding and implementation of culturally sensitive CBT practices in Africa.