Living with schizophrenia can make meeting people and keeping friends hard. You might feel unsure in groups. You might hear voices. You might not want to leave the house. These things can make you feel alone. Therapy can help. One type of therapy is CBT. Here, we will explain CBT in simple terms. We will also show how Ascension Psychiatric Services can help.
What Is CBT?
CBT means cognitive behavioral therapy. It helps you notice thoughts that make you feel bad. Then you learn new thoughts and actions. CBT teaches skills you can use every day. CBT for psychosis helps with hearing voices or odd beliefs. It is practical and focused on small steps.
How Schizophrenia Can Affect Social Life
Schizophrenia can change how you think and feel. This can make talking with others hard. For example:
- You may hear voices. That can make group talk scary.
- You may feel tired or look uninterested. Others may not understand.
- You may find planning or focusing hard. That can make keeping plans tough.
These problems are real. Therapy can help with many of them.
Can CBT Help with Social Challenges?
Yes. CBT can help people with schizophrenia do better in social situations. It can lower some fears and help with day-to-day life. CBT works best as part of a full plan. That plan can include medicine, social skills training, and family support. Small steps add up over time.
How CBT Helps: Simple Examples
- Small steps and practice:
We make big goals small. First, say hello. Next time, ask a question. Small wins build confidence. - Changing unhelpful thoughts:
If you think, “They will laugh at me,” we test that idea with safe steps. You learn new, kinder thoughts. - Role play and practice:
You can practice talks in therapy. This makes real conversations easier. - Handling voices and beliefs:
CBT teaches ways to feel safer when you hear voices. You learn how to respond so voices bother you less. - Thinking and attention work:
Some activities help memory and focus. Better focus helps at work and with friends. - Social skills training:
This teaches eye contact, listening, and how to join a talk. Practice helps these skills grow.
What Else Helps Besides CBT?
CBT is strong, but it is not the only tool. Other supports include:
- Medication to reduce symptoms.
- Family education so loved ones can help.
- Group therapy to practice with others.
- Help with work or school to get back to daily life.
A full plan with many supports often works best.
How Ascension Psychiatric Services Can Help
Ascension Psychiatric Services is a virtual psychiatry practice with providers in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, GA. We offer virtual visits across the state of Georgia. Anthony J. Hall, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, leads the team. He has more than 25 years of clinical nursing experience and a long history in behavioral health.
Our care includes:
- Same-day medication management.
- Psychotherapy (talk therapy) by telemedicine.
- GeneSight® genetic testing.
- Lifestyle-change counseling.
- Comprehensive psychiatric assessments.
We treat children and adults ages 6 to 65. We use the Therapy Notes patient portal and video system for easy telemedicine visits. We also work with outside programs when patients need extra social skills or cognitive training.
What to Expect in Therapy
Your first visit is a time to tell your story. We ask what is hardest for you now. We set small goals with you. Therapy gives you a safe space to try new skills. You practice between visits. Over time, small changes add up.
Tips for Families and Caregivers
- Be patient. Small steps are wins.
- Praise effort, not only results. Say, “Good try.”
- Join family education if it is offered. It helps you support better.
- Keep routines simple. Routines make the day easier.
Final Note
CBT can help with social challenges linked to schizophrenia. It is not a quick fix. It is a set of skills you build over time. When CBT is used with medicine, social skills training, and other supports, people often feel less alone and do better in daily life. Ascension Psychiatric Services offers telemedicine care and same-day visits to help you start.
If you are in crisis or feel unsafe, call local emergency services or a crisis line right away.
FAQs
Can CBT help with schizophrenia?
Yes. CBT can help with hearing voices, worries, and feeling shy around others.
Will I need medicine too?
Often yes. Many people use medicine and therapy together. Your provider will help decide.
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