Summary Psychological treatments in secure settings have traditionally been based on psychodynamic and cognitive–behavioural approaches. Recent developments, supported by an emerging evidence base, have generated a significant amount of interest in mindfulness-based psychological therapies and their utility in diverse areas of mental healthcare. In this article we analyse the current evidence...
Evidence for the effectiveness of treatment or secondary prevention of psychotic illness such as schizophrenia is often disappointing. This situation reflects our limited understanding of the aetiology of psychosis. There is good evidence that both genetic and environmental factors are implicated but the precise identity of these is unclear. Cannabis use is one candidate as a possible,...
‘Mindfulness' has become a popular topic among psychological therapists. This introductory article explains what mindfulness is and how it can be developed, before exploring how it has been incorporated within psychoanalytic and cognitive–behavioural psychotherapies. These reflect general as well as specific presumed therapeutic actions. At present, variations in the way mindfulness is...
This term refers to mushrooms that grow naturally and have hallucinogenic (sometimes called psychedelic) properties. Consumption of different species has occurred in various cultures over the centuries, with use in ritual ceremonies in Mexico being particularly well known. In the UK at present the species most commonly used is Psilocybe semilanceata , also known as the ‘liberty cap’ mushroom....