Predictors of disengagement from cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis in a National Health Service setting: A retrospective evaluation.

Risk of disengagement from CBT for psychosis increases with overactive, aggressive, disruptive, or agitated behaviour (54.9% vs. 30.8%), problem drinking and drug taking (61.1% vs. 32.8%), depressed mood (56% vs. 30.2%), and problems with occupation and activities (53.3% vs. 34.5%), with a trend for younger age. An assertive and motivational approach to engagement and a focus on addressing low mood and problematic behaviours, prior to or early in therapy, may be warranted, particularly for younger people. This evaluation is limited by small sample size and being retrospective. These results speak to the question of whether psychosis itself renders people inappropriate for CBT for psychosis, or whether problems arise due to behavioural and emotional factors that might be addressed to increase access to CBT for psychosis.