Cognitive impairment is a common symptom of mental illness. Many mental health conditions affect a person’s ability to think clearly or communicate clearly. These difficulties make it challenging to meet daily responsibilities, ranging from work and school to personal relationships and home life.

Improving cognitive functioning is a priority for all mental health treatment programs. Providing an individual with the tools and skills needed to communicate effectively is a vital part of the process. These are the building blocks for establishing a strong foundation for lasting mental health recovery.

Cognitive remediation therapy is a crucial modality for individuals with mental difficulties. What is cognitive remediation? Who does cognitive remediation therapy help? And how can you determine whether cognitive remediation is the right approach for you?

What Is Cognitive Remediation?

Cognitive remediation is a therapeutic behavioral intervention that focuses on restoring mental function and improving cognitive abilities. Clinicians work with clients to develop and enhance specific cognitive skills, such as maintaining attention, strengthening memory, or clarifying communication.¹

These skills will lead to more effective capabilities in work, school, relationships, social functioning, and other areas. Other names for cognitive remediation therapy include cognitive enhancement, cognitive rehabilitation, and cognitive training.

Cognitive remediation therapy involves a variety of mental exercises, ranging from simple tasks, such as solving Sudoku puzzles, to working through complex computer programs.² Some of the methods used to improve cognition include:

• Restorative task practice: Mental exercises that involve different cognitive areas, such as attention, memory, learning, problem-solving, and planning.
• Strategy coaching: Teaches strategies that enhance performance during cognitive practice exercises, such as reading information aloud or using comparisons to clarify concepts.
• Compensatory skills training: Exercises that help individuals work through cognitive limitations to perform crucial tasks and build up community functioning.
• Metacognitive training: Increases an individual’s awareness of their thoughts, enabling them to monitor and redirect them, thereby enhancing their functioning and performance.

When Is Cognitive Remediation Therapy Used?

The primary candidates for cognitive remediation therapy are typically individuals with schizophrenia.³ Cognitive impairment is one of the most challenging symptoms of the disorder. People with schizophrenia, a thought disorder, often struggle with attention, memory, and executive functioning. This makes it challenging to build fulfilling relationships, maintain employment, meet responsibilities, and more.

Cognitive remediation therapy aims to help individuals overcome their cognitive challenges, enabling them to live more independently. The approach typically involves about 24 hours of treatment programming during a 3- to 6-month period. Early research shows that the various cognitive exercises employed during treatment provide some relief from more pressing symptoms.⁴

Finding a Cognitive Remediation Therapist

Now that you know what cognitive remediation is, you may wonder whether it’s right for you or a loved one. Unfortunately, not all mental health treatment programs are equipped to offer cognitive remediation therapy. But finding one that offers these services may mean the difference between effective treatment and ongoing troubles.

Lifeskills South Florida is a treatment network offering programs for adults living with mental health disorders. We aim to provide second chances and new beginnings to anyone looking to manage their mental health and rebuild their life. Our treatment programs offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of anyone struggling with their mental health.

To learn more about the programs we offer at Lifeskills South Florida, please contact us or fill out our online contact form today.

References

1. Encyclopedia of Adolescence. (2011). Schizophrenia.
2. Journal of Social Work. (2013). Cognitive Remediation: A New Generation of Psychosocial Interventions for People with Schizophrenia.
3. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. (2013). Cognitive Remediation of Neurocognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia.
4. The British Journal of Psychiatry. (2007). Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Schizophrenia.