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Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic, and complex mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and perceives situations around them. The condition causes episodes of psychosis (impaired thinking and relationship to reality), which can include symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and withdrawal.

The main treatment for schizophrenia is prescribed antipsychotic medications. However, up to 40% of people with schizophrenia respond poorly to the medications and continue to have symptoms.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis is a distinct type of psychotherapy often used together with medication, case management, and mental health services in the community to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

This health technology assessment looked at the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia. It also looked at the budget impact of publicly funding cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis and people’s experiences of schizophrenia and treatment options.

An Ontario Health quality standard on care for adults with schizophrenia in hospital recommends cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia.