Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents with First Episode Psychosis: Limitations of the Research

Empirical studies of children and adolescents at high-risk for psychosis and those with first episode psychosis include investigations of the associated risk factors, neurobiological correlates and longitudinal trajectories and the use of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions, but few studies compare the impact of different forms of psychotherapy with each other or with multimodal treatment with both psychotherapy and psychotropic medication. There is a scarcity of trials that compare the efficacy and long-term outcome of cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and family therapy with these vulnerable youth even though evidence has been accumulating about their positive impact with children, adolescents and adults with many psychiatric disorders. Research on first episode psychosis in children and adolescents needs to be enhanced by studies that ascertain the benefits of cognitive behavior therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and family therapy and their role in combined treatment.

Keywords: First episode psychosis; Psychotic disorders; Childhood psychosis; Psychodynamic psychotherapy; CBT; Family therapy; Antipsychotic medication