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The Lifengage
Project
For more than 50 years psychotic illness
such as schizophrenia have been primarily treated with medication
but symptoms of schizophrenia such as hearing voices and feeling
paranoid often persist in spite of medication. These symptoms often
exert a huge impact on individuals and can result in difficulty
carrying out social roles and an impoverished quality of life. The
aim of the Lifengage project is to examine whether symptoms of psychosis
can be improved by comparing two psychological treatments, Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Befriending.
Acceptance
and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a behaviour therapy that emphasises such processes as acceptance,
living in the present moment and values in helping clients move
on in their lives. ACT uses experiential exercises, metaphors and
behavioural tasks to assist the client to do things they value in
life. Unlike traditional cognitive therapies, logical analysis has
a relatively minor role. In this trial, ACT will be used to teach
participants skills to step back from distressing symptoms and to
support them in doing things they value in life.
Befriending
Therapy
Befriending is a therapy
based on companionship. It involves talking about hobbies, interests
or enjoyable things in life and might include topics such as sport,
current events, news and travel. The therapy may also involve activities
like going for a walk or playing a game. It is different from ACT
because it doesn't involve talking about symptoms, worries, or things
that cause stress.
Both therapies show promise in
being helpful for symptoms of psychosis. Participants are randomly
allocated to their treatment group and then receive eight one-to-one
50-minute sessions with a psychologist within a three month period.
Research assessments take place before commencing therapy, at the
end of therapy and after a further 6 months.
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sites
Lifengage appointments can be held at the participants' local
mental health service within:
- Melbourne Health (North Western Mental Health)
- Mercy Health
- St Vincent's Health
- Southern Health
or at:
- The Psychology Clinic, La Trobe University, Bundoora
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Are you interested in participating
in the lifengage project?
Please download the Participant
Brochure (340k) to find out what is involved and how to join
lifengage.
Would
you like to refer a patient to the lifengage project?
Please download the Information
and Referral Form (260k).
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