Strength in Numbers: The Power of Group-Based Cognitive Remediation

by Elizabeth Morton, a CIRCuiTS™ user and researcher

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) is a well-established tool for improving cognition in people with enduring psychotic disorders. When practised in a group setting, its impact extends beyond individual progress. There is an unspoken strength in the shared experience – and a shared defiance against the prospect of cognitive deficit.

In the first-person article published in Schizophrenia Bulletin I reflect on my experiences of an Aotearoa New Zealand-based CRT group, where five individuals, from different walks of life, come together with a common goal: to reclaim cognitive abilities and rediscover hope. Twice a week, we gather in a community mental health clinic, to engage with the CIRCuiTS program and to encourage one another through the challenges of daily life. Showing up becomes an act of resilience.

The group setting fosters a sense of camaraderie, where successes are shared and setbacks are met with collective support. Functional domains such as cooking, transportation and going to the supermarket become opportunities for collaborative problem-solving, bridging the gap between clinical exercises and real-world application.

Through moments of encouragement, shared meals, and small victories, the group is so much more than the sum of its parts.

Read the full article on Schizophrenia Bulletin here.

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