Read more about Tess’s Research here.

Research in approaches and treatments for psychosis

Dr Tess Maguire has often been involved in research about psychosis treatments. Psychosis can cause people to have a different experience of reality to others. People with psychosis can have delusions, hallucinations and changes in thinking. 

In one study, Tess investigated the experiences of therapists who use Eye Movement and Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy on clients with psychosis. EMDR therapy focuses on a traumatic memory while the client makes eye movements. EMDR can reduce the distress associated with traumatic memories. The researchers interviewed twenty therapists who have practised EMDR on patients with psychosis. They found themes within the experiences of the therapists using EMDR on people with psychosis. Some of the therapists agreed that EMDR can help people with psychosis and it is user-friendly for therapists. However, there is not much support for therapists (from supervisors or colleagues) to use EMDR for people with psychosis. Some clients found EMDR hard if they did not have support from family and friends. These results suggest that EMDR therapists think trauma therapy can be beneficial for people with psychosis but that there is a lack of wider support. 

In a different study, Tess was involved in research about attachment imagery and psychosis. To use attachment imagery, each participant was given an audio clip about a time that they felt secure and safe. While using attachment imagery, two participants with psychosis had less paranoia and a more positive mood. But, after stopping the use of attachment imagery, their higher levels of paranoia came back and they felt more negative again. Therefore, it seems that attachment imagery is a good way of managing emotions. However, it may only help while attachment imagery is being used and does not seem to have long-term benefits. 

Another study which explored psychological psychosis treatments investigated how targeting mood can help people with psychosis have less paranoia. People with psychosis can struggle to identify and change their moods. Participants took part in an intervention to develop emotion regulation skills (ways to keep a stable mood). They learnt how to regulate their emotions and felt less paranoia and less of a negative mood. So, it may be helpful to target emotion regulation skills in treatments for people with psychosis.