A Story of Recovery & Hope
“A young woman learned about Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) while living in a group home and participating in FIRST Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis treatment. The skills she developed through FIRST and CET helped her to earn her Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter certification, move into her own apartment, get a job and make friends. She has a full-time job and has returned to college.”
Cognitive REMEDIATION
What is Cognitive Remediation
“Many psychiatric illnesses are associated with cognitive deficits in the areas of attention, memory processing speed, and executive functioning. Cognitive remediation is intended to help people develop the underlying cognitive skills that can make them better able to function in daily tasks, including school, work, social interactions, and independent living.” Medalia, Alice, and others, ‘Introductory Information for Therapists’, Cognitive Remediation for Psychological Disorders: Therapist Guide, 2 edn, Treatments That Work (New York, 2017; online edn, Oxford Academic, 1 Dec. 2017), https://doi.org/10.1093/med-psych/9780190608453.003.0001, accessed 28 Feb. 2024.
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy
Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) is a recovery-phase cognitive rehabilitation training program for adults with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. CET is for those who are symptomatically stable yet continue to lack social and vocational abilities.
CET is designed to provide cognitive training to help participants improve:
- Neurocognition: including poor memory and problem-solving abilities, attention or focus
- Cognitive style: including unmotivated, disorganized or inflexible cognitive styles
- Social cognition: including lack of perspective taking, foresight and social context appraisal
- Social adjustment: including social, vocational and family functioning
Testimonials
Shaun Eack, PhD, James and Noel Browne Endowed Chair and Professor of Social Work and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh stated “This organization in Ohio has the longest and best running implementation of CET in the country!” November 2023
Individual who completed CET:
In signing up for CET, one individual showed growth right away by facing his fear of being in a “classroom-style” setting. Working toward goals that included building confidence, he challenged himself by reading aloud in group, sharing his ideas, giving and receiving feedback, and persevering through demanding neurocognitive (computer) exercises. He was actively engaged and determined to get everything he could from the program. He stood out as a model group member. After successfully completing CET he gained part-time employment and moved into his own apartment. By remaining connected to his natural and provider support networks, he can easily seek assistance when needed.
Action-Based Cognitive Remediation (ABCR)
Action-Based Cognitive Remediation (ABCR) was developed as a form of cognitive remediation that aimed to optimize the transfer of cognitive gains to improvements in quality of life and reductions in disability.
The program has several techniques that stand apart from other cognitive remediation treatments, including an emphasis on collaborative goal-setting, increasing confidence in how one uses his or her cognitive skills and strategies, and planning for a lifestyle that reduces avoidance of cognitively challenging situations.
ABCR combines traditional cognitive training techniques with simulated workplace situations. Each ABCR session includes an educational section, drill-and-practice computer exercises (designed to facilitate the development of strategies to overcome cognitive challenges), and group-based role plays for applying those strategies. ABCR offers clients appropriately challenging activities to “build their cognitive muscles.”
ABCR is appropriate for adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who might benefit from improvements in community functioning, everyday functioning, lower job stress, increased employment, and increases in cognitive abilities.
ABCR Treatment Partners
Stark County
- Coleman Professional Services
Trumbull County
- Coleman Professional Services
Related
CONTACT US
BeST Center
Email: bestcenter@neomed.edu
BeST Practices in Schizophrenia Treatment (BeST) Center
NEOMED Coordinating Center of Excellence
