REFLECT: A Novel Group-Based Compassion-Focussed Cognitive Behavioural Approach to Core Beliefs in Psychosis

NCT07569471 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 48596
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The current study is an open-label, proof-of-concept, pilot trial examining the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of a 6-week group therapy intervention targeting core beliefs related to symptoms of psychosis. Core beliefs are theorized to be central to the development and maintenance of psychosis and other mental health conditions; however, research on how to address this key mechanism in psychosis is rarely directly studied. The primary questions it aims to answer include:

1. 1.Is targeting core beliefs in a technology-supported remote group therapy format safe and feasible?
2. 2.Does targeting core beliefs result in measurable change in core beliefs?

Conditions

Schizophrenia Spectrum & Other Psychotic Disorders

Keywords

Psychosis; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy; Group Therapy; Remote Therapy; Online Therapy; Schizophrenia; Schizoaffective Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Brief Core Schema Scale

  The BCSS is a validated and widely used self-report measure that quantifies the endorsement of positive and negative self- and other- core beliefs. There are four subscales (positive self, negative self, positive other, negative other). Higher scores on these scales indicate more endorsement of these types of core beliefs: Higher scores on the negative scales indicate a stronger endorsement of dysfunctional schemas, whereas higher scores on the positive scales indicate a stronger endorsement of adaptive, positive views. Subscale scores range from 0-24, and total scores range from 0-96.

  The BCSS is administered at baseline (pre-intervention; Day 1-14), post-intervention (Weeks 7-9), and a three-month follow-up (Weeks 19-21).

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms

  The SAPS is administered at screening (Day 1), post-intervention (Weeks 7-9), and a three-month follow-up (Weeks 19-21).

• Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales

  The PSYRATS is administered at baseline (pre-intervention; Day 1-14), post-intervention (Weeks 7-9), and a three-month follow-up (Weeks 19-21).

• Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms

  The SANS is administered at baseline (pre-intervention; Day 1-14), post-intervention (Weeks 7-9), and a three-month follow-up (Weeks 19-21).

• Referential Thinking Scale

  The REF Scale is administered at Baseline (pre-intervention; Day 1-14), post-intervention (Weeks 7-9), and a three-month follow-up (Weeks 19-21).

• Experiences Questionnaire - Decentering

  The EQ is administered at baseline (pre-intervention; Day 1-14), post-intervention (Weeks 7-9), and a three-month follow-up (Weeks 19-21).

Other Outcomes (2)

• Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of Use Questionnaire

  The USE Questionnaire is administered once at the end of the study (at 3-month follow-up visit; Weeks 19-21).

• Satisfaction With Therapy and Therapist Scale-Revised

  STTS-R is administered once post-intervention (Weeks 7-9).

Study Arms (1)

Active Group Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

As there is only one arm in this open-label, proof-of-concept study, all participants enrolled in this study will have the opportunity to complete a six-week group intervention consisting of integrated skills and strategies within a CBTp framework.

Other: REFLECT: REFlecting on and Learning to Evaluate Core beliefs in real Time

Interventions

REFLECT: REFlecting on and Learning to Evaluate Core beliefs in real Time OTHER

REFLECT is a six-week group therapy intervention delivered remotely on a video conferencing platform that is compliant with health information privacy laws in Ontario. This intervention is additionally supported by remote homework delivery, completion, and review through a secure online database that allows homework to be delivered and completed through email or a smartphone app. Weekly group sessions are 2 hours each and explore negative core beliefs related to symptoms of psychosis through a CBT framework to support the development of more balanced beliefs to support functional and personal recovery.

Active Group Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Above the age of 18.
• Diagnosis of SSD (i.e., Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform, Schizoaffective Disorder, or Delusional Disorder), confirmed based on self-report.
• Have current symptoms related to psychosis (as determined by a score of 2 or higher on the SAPS).
• Engaged in current outpatient treatment for psychosis (e.g., medication management by psychiatrist or general practitioner, case management, community mental health treatment, etc.).
• Has or has access to personal technology (e.g., smartphone, tablet, or laptop/computer) with access to wifi or cellular data.

You may not qualify if:

• Not capable of providing informed consent (see Consent Procedures).
• Does not have an SSD diagnosis.
• Does not experience current delusions.
• Not currently involved in outpatient treatment.
• Is currently receiving CBTp.
• Does not own or have access to personal technology (e.g., smartphone, tablet, or laptop/computer) with access to wifi or cellular data.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Toronto: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Toronto Scarborough

Scarborough Village, Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Micheal W Best, PhD

  University of Toronto

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Sean A Kidd, PhD

  University of Toronto

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Jessica D'Arcey, PhD Candidate

CONTACT

647-689-6098; jessica.darcey@mail.utoronto.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2026
• First Posted: May 6, 2026
• Study Start: March 31, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 30, 2028
• Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

CA (1)