title: Cognitive enhancement therapy: a therapeutic treatment strategy for first-episode schizophrenia patients.
abstract: Cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) for first-episode schizophrenia combines supportive therapy with social skills and cognitive remediation training. It includes exercises aimed at ameliorating cognitive and negative symptoms in a purposefully motivational format. In this treatment model, the clinician takes an active role as coach, teacher, and therapist in order to engage patients in skills-enhancing work matched to levels of illness and abilities. The therapeutic alliance allows for a safe environment to utilize principles of errorless learning and positive reinforcement. Although this strategy is best implemented in groups, it can be adapted to the individual mode of treatment. Skills-building exercises are described in sufficient detail to be useful to clinicians working with patients in the first years of schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024382:Professional Role; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index