Introducing integrated Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychosis (TF-CBTp)

Working to improve the lives of survivors of trauma & psychosis

This website is currently under development

More resources will be added Autumn 2025

Disclaimer: This website is currently under development. More resources will be added Autumn 2025.

The Study of Trauma and Recovery (STAR) trial:  This NIHR-funded trial, led by Emmanuelle Peters, investigated the effectiveness and mechanisms of an integrated Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for psychosis for people with distressing symptoms of both post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis.

TF-CBTp (developed and tested through the STAR research trial) aims to reduce the distress of common effects of trauma and psychosis - mental health conditions characterised by re-experiencing intrusive trauma memories, fearing harm from others or seeing, hearing or feeling things others cannot. 

We explain what TF-CBTp involves and share the encouraging results from the STAR NIHR-funded trial. 

  • The therapy aims to help individuals process their traumatic memories and beliefs. It also supports people to develop coping skills, and reduce distress related to their trauma and psychotic symptoms.

  • TF-CBTp (STAR) therapy is for people who experience common effects of trauma who fear harm from others or see, hear, or feel things others cannot. 

  • Researchers from King’s College London and NHS Trusts across the UK ran a NIHR-funded randomised controlled trial between 2020 to 2024. The goal was to test the efficacy of STAR TF-CBTp therapy across multiple National Health Service (NHS) sites in England.

    The results are due to be published soon.

  • This research was carried out with the involvement of people with lived experience of these mental health problems. Their expertise has helped to inform the trials at every stage – from recruitment to producing resources and blogs. 

    We hope the findings of this research will lead the way for developing training and resources to help deliver TF-CBTp approach within routine NHS settings. 

Read more about TF CBTp (STAR) trial