iMAPS-2 is a feasibility randomised controlled clinical trial testing an imagery focused therapy for people with psychosis. The therapy works to target intrusive mental images, in any of the senses and to work with negative beliefs about the self and others (schemas). It recruited 45 patients with psychosis, who had distressing images linked with auditory hallucinations (voices) or delusions (paranoia). It was funded by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through the Research for Patient Benefit Programme.

iMAPS-2 has been published in the leading scientific journal Schizophrenia Bulletin.

The full text trial results article is free to access here.

Find out more:

  • A YouTube video for members of the public created by The Mental Elf can be found here

  • A YouTube video for clinicians and researchers created by The Mental Elf can be found here

  • reading a Mental Elf blog: https://buff.ly/jbM0TRo

  • signing up for our Imagery and Psychosis webinar: elfi.sh/imaps

A Plain English Summary of the trial can also be downloaded here

iMAPS-2 Research Team

Chief Investigator:

Dr Christopher Taylor, Senior Lecturer and NIHR Fellow, School of Psychology, University of Sheffield and

Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust

Professor Katherine Berry, Professor of Clinical Psychology, The University of Manchester

Professor Chris Sutton, Professor Clinical Trials Statistics, University of Central Lancashire

Dr James Kelly, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, GMMH NHS FT

Professor Paul Hutton, Professor of Mental Health, Edinburgh Napier University

Yvonne Sylvestre, Research Fellow in Trial Statistics and Statistician, University of Manchester

Dr Sean Harper, Director of Psychology, NHS Grampian and Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Thom, Service User Consultant

Gemma Shields, Senior Lecturer in Health Economics, The University of Manchester

Professor Arnoud Arntz, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology, The University of Amsterdam

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