Promoting Recovery by Overcoming Self-stigma in Mental Health Disorders With a Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) Group Intervention

NCT07735481 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: in preparation
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 106
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate whether Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) can promote recovery among adults living with severe mental health disorders, including substance use disorders. NECT is a structured group intervention that combines education about stigma, cognitive techniques to challenge internalized negative beliefs, and narrative exercises that help participants develop a broader identity beyond their diagnosis. Approximately 106 adults receiving outpatient or day-hospital psychiatric care at Geneva University Hospitals will be randomly assigned to receive either usual care plus 12 weekly NECT sessions or usual care plus 12 comparison group sessions that do not specifically address self-stigma or recovery. The study will examine whether NECT improves recovery after the intervention and whether any benefits are maintained over time.

Conditions

Mental Disorders; Substance Use Disorders

Keywords

Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy; Self stigma; Recovery; Substance use disorders; Transdiagnostic group intervention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in personal recovery measured by the Recovery Assessment Scale

  Personal recovery will be assessed using the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS). The total score ranges up to 205, with higher scores indicating greater recovery. An increase of at least 14 points is considered clinically meaningful.

  Baseline to post-intervention, approximately 12 weeks.

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Change in personal recovery at follow-up

  Baseline to approximately 6 months after the intervention.

• Change in self-stigma

  Baseline, post-intervention, and approximately 6 months after the intervention.

• Change in empowerment

  Baseline, post-intervention, and approximately 6 months after the intervention.

• Change in quality of life

  Baseline, post-intervention, and approximately 6 months after the intervention.

• Change in self-compassion

  Baseline, post-intervention, and approximately 6 months after the intervention.

Study Arms (2)

NECT

EXPERIMENTAL

Treatment as usual plus 12 weekly 90-minute NECT group sessions combining psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and narrative exercises to reduce self-stigma and support recovery.

Behavioral: Narrative Enhancement Cognitive Therapy

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Treatment as usual plus 12 weekly group sessions without specific psychotherapeutic or psychoeducational content targeting self-stigma or recovery

Behavioral: Control Group Sessions

Interventions

Narrative Enhancement Cognitive Therapy BEHAVIORAL

NECT is a manualized group intervention comprising 12 weekly 90-minute sessions delivered to groups of approximately eight participants. It combines psychoeducation about stigma and self-stigma, cognitive restructuring of internalized negative beliefs, and narrative exercises that help participants develop a more integrated identity beyond mental illness. Sessions are co-facilitated by a trained mental health professional and a peer practitioner. Individual make-up sessions may be offered for missed sessions.

NECT

Control Group Sessions BEHAVIORAL

Twelve weekly group sessions in which participants discuss topics such as their weekly activities, without specific psychotherapeutic or psychoeducational content targeting self-stigma or recovery. Treatment as usual continues throughout.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Written informed consent
• DSM-5 psychiatric diagnosis within F10-F48, F60-F69, or F90, including substance use disorders
• Receiving outpatient or day-hospital treatment
• Diagnosed or in treatment for at least 12 months
• Clinically stable for at least 3 months, with stable pharmacological treatment during this period
• Clinical Global Impressions-Severity score below 6

You may not qualify if:

• Participation in another program likely to affect social functioning or self-stigma, such as social cognitive remediation or social skills training
• Acute psychiatric episode with a Clinical Global Impressions-Severity score above 6
• Unable to provide informed consent
• Comorbid intellectual disability
• Receiving care under constraint or deprived of liberty by judicial order Insufficient ability to speak and read French

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Louise Penzenstadler: lead

Study Sites (1)

Geneva University Hospital

Geneva, Canton of Geneva, 1205, Switzerland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mental Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Chemically-Induced Disorders

Central Study Contacts

Louise Penzenstadéer, MD

CONTACT

+41223725750; louise.penzenstadler@hug.ch

Hélène Richard-Lépouriel, MD

CONTACT

+41223054511; helene.richard-lepouriel@hug.ch

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Model Details: Two-arm, multicenter, randomized controlled trial with 1:1 allocation

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 24, 2026
• First Posted: July 30, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2029
• Last Updated: July 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

CH (1)