Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Paranoia in the therapeutic relationship in cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis
Caroline Lawlor1, Katherine Hall1, Lyn Ellett1
1Royal Holloway,University of London,Egham,UK.
Background And Aims:
This study explored therapists' and clients' experiences of paranoia about the therapist in cognitive behaviour therapy.
Method:
Ten therapists and eight clients engaged in cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results:
Clients reported experiencing paranoia about their therapist, both within and between therapy sessions. Therapists' accounts highlighted a number of dilemmas that can arise in responding to clients' paranoia about them.
Conclusions:
The findings highlight helpful ways of working with clients when they become paranoid about their therapist, and emphasize the importance of developing a therapeutic relationship that is radically collaborative, supporting a person-based approach to distressing psychotic experience.
More Related Videos
11:17Protocol for Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Symptom Provocation to Treat Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
Published on: November 25, 2025
06:42Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Personality Disorders: Paranoid and Schizoid
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Paranoid personality disorder is...
Beck's Cognitive Therapy
Arbitrary Inference
Arbitrary inference involves making conclusions without sufficient...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Cognitive Therapy
Jealousy in Romantic Relationships
Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...