Imagery-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques for Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Psychosis Spectrum Disorders: Four Experimental Case Series
Schizophrenia Bulletin February 21, 2025 Hella Janssen, K.C. van den Berg, Ger P. J. Keijsers et al. 2 citations
In people with psychosis spectrum disorders, maladaptive mental imagery is linked to auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs). Four imagery techniques were tested in a single-case series: Imagery Rescripting (ImRs), Promoting positive Imagery de novo (Pos-Im), Metacognitive Imagery techniques (Meta-Im), and playing Tetris. Mental imagery severity significantly decreased after ImRs and Pos-Im, but not after Meta-Im or Tetris. AVHs decreased with all conditions, with the largest effects for ImRs and Pos-Im. Secondary measures showed reductions in AVH severity, mood, anxiety, imagery frequency, and appraisals. The authors conclude imagery techniques are feasible and acceptable and may be valuable additions to AVH treatment.