Integrated Psychological Therapy (IPT) for the Treatment of Neurocognition, Social Cognition, and Social Competency in Schizophrenia Patients

Integrated psychological therapy (IPT) is a multimodal form of cognitive therapy that aims to improve overall functioning of patients with schizophrenia. Areas of focus include both information processing (cognitive remediation) and social interactions (social competence therapy).

This book is a concise how-to manual for IPT. It is divided into three main sections. The first section reviews the theoretical background and treatment approaches to IPT. The second section gives step-by-step detail about the conditions and components of IPT. The final section reviews some ongoing research with programs based on this model.

The appendix has a number of worksheets and assessment forms that can be used in the development of an IPT program. Although there are brief vignettes illustrating specific techniques, there are no longitudinal case discussions where a few cases are followed through the stages of treatment. Inclusion of such discussions would have added interest for the reader and would have illustrated how this treatment can improve the lives of individual patients. Nevertheless, the book is well organized and informative.

Medications address such a limited part of the picture in the treatment of schizophrenia, and we continue to search for tools that will help these individuals live successful lives. IPT appears to be a valuable tool in a still limited armamentarium. This book provides a useful resource for anyone wanting to learn more about it.