Cognitive Enhancement Therapy

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If you are looking for a cost effective and rewarding way to jump-start the psychosocial recovery
of your clients living with severe mental illness, then Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET)
could be the answer. Our CET Manual is a well tested, comprehensive, step-by-step, user friendly
guide that will help your clients acquire the skills needed to advance social cognitive and
neurocognitive functioning. Using a small group approach, CET uniquely integrates computer-
assisted neurocognitive training with social cognitive group sessions. A reading of
the CET Manual and review of the exercises should leave you convinced about the opportunity
for real client change, and con dent that you can indeed apply this cutting edge, empirically
tested cognitive rehabilitation approach.

What Is CET?
CET is a performance based, comprehensive, developmental approach to the rehabilitation of
social cognitive and neurocognitive de cits. CET is designed as a recovery phase intervention for
persons with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are symptomatically stable, but who
nonetheless remain socially and vocationally disabled. Patients need to be outpatients stabilized
on medication, have an IQ of at least 80, and not be abusing drugs and alcohol. Participants work
at recovery through structured group and computer exercises. CET is the culmination of more
than 30 years of clinical experience and research in schizophrenia treatment development by the
psychosocial treatment pioneer and University of Pittsburgh Department of Psychiatry Professor
Emeritus, Gerard E. Hogarty, M.S.W. Overall, CET attempts to increase mental stamina, active
information processing, and the spontaneous negotiation of unrehearsed social challenges. It
does so with a focus on enhancing perspective taking, social context appraisal, and other
components of social cognition.

Does It Work?
CET has been shown to have remarkable and enduring effects in a two year randomized study of
121 persons with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated with either CET or Enriched
Supportive Therapy (EST). Once CET participants completed the social cognitive groups, highly
signi cant effects were observed for CET on ve composite measures (Neurocognition,
Processing Speed, Cognitive Style, Social Cognition, and Social Adjustment) at two years. See
Figure 1 (Hogarty et al. Archives of General Psychiatry, 2004;61:866-876. Reprinted with
permission).

Comparative Bene ts of CET vs. EST – Study 1

(Chronic Schizophrenia, N = 121)

From Hogarty et al. Archives of General Psychiatry, 2004;61:866-876.

Reprinted with permission.

Figure 1
Most encouraging, recent ndings (Hogarty, Greenwald, and Eack, Psychiatric Services,
2006;57:1751-1757; Eack et al., Schizophrenia Research, 2010;120:210-216) have shown CET effects
to persist for at least an additional year following treatment. A subsequent study of the early
course of schizophrenia indicates signi cant neuroprotection against gray matter loss and
remarkable gains in employment and other functional outcomes (Eack et al., Psychiatric
Services, 2009;60:1468-1476; Eack, Hogarty, et al., Archives of General Psychiatry, 2010;67:674-
682). Read more about the evidence supporting the effectiveness of CET.

Is CET Cost Effective?

CET is cost effective because it relies upon a group approach. Most treatment facilities already
have computers. The only additional start-up cost is for the neurocognitive computer software
(available from independent vendors listed here), the CET Manual, which provides essential
session by session instructions for providers, and the supplemental CET CD-ROM, which
contains participant handouts and other implementation materials.

In facilities where CET has been used, third-party reimbursements have exceeded costs. CET is
approved and recognized by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA) as an evidence-based practice.

Agencies interested in obtaining CET training should complete an application online. Training
inquiries without a completed application will not be considered. Two or more master’s-level
clinicians must be available for training at a single site and at least two therapists are required to
conduct the CET social-cognitive group sessions. Additional requirements are detailed on
the training page.

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