Trauma-focused therapy shows preliminary promise for people with psychosis
Studies involving people with psychosis and trauma symptoms reported improvements in trauma and psychosis symptoms. Findings for depression, anxiety and everyday social functioning were less conclusive.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found preliminary support for therapies that directly address trauma in people who also have a psychotic disorder. Improvements were reported for trauma symptoms and for psychosis symptoms, with some indications that improvements persisted. Depression, anxiety and social functioning remained uncertain, and methodological problems limit how firmly treatment effects can be established.
The authors describe an early evidence base with methodological challenges. The abstract does not give comparator details, effect sizes or follow-up lengths, limiting assessment of the size and durability of any benefit.
Different outcomes need separate answers
A favorable result for trauma symptoms does not settle whether depression, anxiety or social functioning improve. These outcomes were reported less often, and their results were inconclusive, so the review supports different levels of confidence for different questions.
What the treatment summaries establish
The review found support for both individual and group delivery. It also described signs that symptom improvements lasted over time, but the abstract does not specify how long participants were followed or establish that delivery formats work equally well.
The original publication
Trauma-Focused Treatment in Psychosis: A Systematic Review.
Hellen I, Døsvig SG, Liseth BE et al.
Early Interv Psychiatry · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40590118
- Record checked
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