Changing UK society’s whole approach to psychosis: articulating a genuinely psychosocial approach

Anne Cooke will describe a forthcoming Division of Clinical Psychology report, ‘Understanding “Psychosis”’, which shows how the principles articulated by the first two speakers can be implemented in practice in relation to the experiences described as ‘psychosis.’ The report is aimed at the public, service users and their families, policymakers and opinion formers such as journalists, together with clinicians. Building on an earlier document, it has been prepared by a working party of over twenty eminent UK clinicians and researchers, together with service user contributors. It promotes a truly psychosocial approach to understanding ‘psychosis’ as an alternative to using medical concepts – including that of ‘diagnosis’ - in order to create a fundamental change in the way that these experiences are conceptualized and responded to