Challenging the omnipotence of voices: group cognitive behavior therapy for voices

The present study examines the impact of group based cognitive behavior the rapy (CBT) For drug resistant auditory hallucinations, or voices. In partic ular it assesses treatment effect on beliefs in a voice's omnipotence and c ontrol. Twenty-two participants entered one of five 8-session CBT groups. M easures of omnipotence, control, process measures, and symptoms of anxiety and depression were completed at assessment, and first and last group sessi ons. The groups achieved a significant reduction in conviction in beliefs a bout omnipotence (df 2, P = 0.002) and control (df 2, P = 0.001). There wer e no affective changes. Certain participants showed important spontaneous c hanges in behavior. Process measures suggested that participants valued the groups and benefited from them. These results are promising and the treatm ent may prove a useful addition to existing psychological interventions. (C ) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.