Dr Sarah Bendall

Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, VIC
Mental Health Research Grant 2012

Dr Sarah Bendall is a Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist at Orygen Youth Health Research Centre at the University of Melbourne. She has practiced as a Clinical Psychologist for over 15 years in adolescent and adult public mental health settings in New Zealand, the UK and Australia. She completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne in 2009.
Her primary area of research interest is the development and trialling of new cognitive behavioural therapy technologies for recovery in first episode psychosis (FEP). In particular, her interests involve using cognitive experimental methodologies to test clinical psychology models of FEP, childhood trauma, PTSD and the trauma of the psychotic experience on FEP, and treating trauma symptoms in FEP.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Cognitive behavioural treatment for PTSD in young people with first episode psychosis: A randomised controlled trial of an intervention within the Australian service delivery model
The aim of the proposed study is to test a CBT treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in first episode psychosis by randomised controlled trial. PTSD-focussed case management (PTSD-CM) will be tested by four case managers at EPPIC. PTSD-CM has been adapted from an evidence-based CBT intervention for people with PTSD and chronic serious mental disorder.

PTSD-CM is a 16-session CBT intervention focusing on psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring to be delivered within case management. Participating case managers will ask patients on their case load who have PTSD symptoms at clinical levels if they would like to participate in the study. Consenting patients will be randomised to receive either PTSD-CM or case management as usual for 16 sessions. Non-consenting patients will receive case management as usual. Assessment of trauma, PTSD symptoms, psychotic symptoms, depression, functioning, engagement in and enjoyment of case management sessions will be conducted at baseline, the end of treatment and 6-month follow-up by a research assistant. It is hoped that the intervention will reduce PTSD symptoms and increase social functioning in those with PTSD and first episode psychosis.